Is there an energy drink without sugar?

December 22, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2025 review in the Journal of Education, Health and Social Sciences, sugar-free and diet energy drink consumption has become increasingly common, and yes, there are many energy drinks without sugar on the market. These beverages substitute sugar with artificial or natural sweeteners to reduce caloric content, attracting health-conscious consumers and those managing conditions like diabetes.

Quick Summary

An overview of the sugar-free energy drink market, exploring popular brands, their ingredients, and important health considerations. An analysis of the pros and cons of these beverages, their effect on blood sugar, and the differences between various 'sugar-free' labels.

Key Points

Variety of Options: Numerous sugar-free energy drinks from major brands like Red Bull, Monster, and Celsius are available, using sweeteners instead of sugar.
Zero Sugar vs. No Sugar Added: 'Zero sugar' means less than 0.5g of sugar per serving, including naturally occurring sugars, while 'no sugar added' can still contain natural sugars.
Alternative Sweeteners: Sugar-free drinks use artificial sweeteners like sucralose and acesulfame-K or natural ones like stevia, which have different properties and potential effects.
High Caffeine Content: Despite being sugar-free, these drinks still contain high levels of stimulants like caffeine, which can cause jitteriness, anxiety, and elevated blood pressure.
Hidden Health Risks: Beyond caffeine, other components can lead to issues such as dental erosion due to high acidity and potential metabolic disruptions, as shown in animal studies.
Mindful Consumption: It is best to consume sugar-free energy drinks in moderation and consider healthier, less processed alternatives for energy boosts, such as coffee or green tea.

The Rise of Sugar-Free Energy Drinks

In recent years, the energy drink landscape has evolved significantly in response to growing consumer demand for healthier, lower-calorie options. As awareness of the health risks associated with high sugar intake has increased, manufacturers have introduced a wide variety of energy drinks without sugar. This proliferation has given consumers more choices than ever before, but it has also created new considerations regarding ingredients and potential health effects.

Popular Brands Offering Sugar-Free Options

For decades, brands like Red Bull and Monster dominated the market with their sugar-laden formulas. Today, these same companies offer extensive sugar-free or 'zero sugar' product lines, competing with newer players that have focused on healthier alternatives from the start.

Red Bull: Offers "Red Bull Sugarfree" and "Red Bull Zero," which use different sweetener blends to appeal to varying taste preferences.
Monster Energy: The "Zero Ultra" line features a range of flavors with zero sugar and a lighter taste profile, using artificial sweeteners like sucralose.
Celsius: A prominent functional energy drink brand that is inherently sugar-free, sweetened with sucralose, and known for its thermogenic properties.
Alani Nu: Markets a zero-sugar energy drink, often using sucralose, and is aimed at a health-conscious demographic, particularly women.
Zevia: Specializes in beverages sweetened with stevia leaf extract, offering a completely sugar-free and artificial sweetener-free option for those who want a more natural profile.
Ghost Energy: Features various zero-sugar, flavor-forward energy drinks, sometimes featuring clearer, less intense tastes.

Deciphering Labels: Zero Sugar vs. No Sugar Added

When selecting a sugar-free energy drink, understanding the terminology on the label is crucial. The terms 'zero sugar' and 'no sugar added' have distinct legal meanings that affect the drink's total sugar content.

Zero Sugar: A product labeled "zero sugar" contains less than 0.5 grams of sugar per serving. This applies to both added sugars and any naturally occurring sugars, such as those from fruit juice.
No Sugar Added: This label indicates that no extra sugars were introduced during processing. However, the product may still contain naturally occurring sugars, which can vary widely depending on the ingredients.

The Role of Sweeteners and Other Ingredients

To replace the sweetness of sugar, manufacturers turn to various artificial or natural, low-calorie sweeteners. Common artificial options include sucralose, acesulfame potassium (Ace-K), and aspartame, while natural alternatives include stevia and monk fruit. Each of these can have different effects on the body, from taste to potential impacts on gut health, though studies often require very high doses to show negative effects.

Beyond sweeteners, sugar-free energy drinks still contain high doses of stimulants, primarily caffeine. Other common ingredients that amplify the energy-boosting effect include B-vitamins, taurine, ginseng, and guarana. These ingredients are not regulated as stringently as food items, so the health implications of excessive long-term intake are still being studied.

Potential Health Considerations

While eliminating sugar avoids calorie intake and the related blood sugar spikes, it does not make the drink harmless. High caffeine intake can still cause side effects like rapid heartbeat, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. Furthermore, some animal studies suggest that chronic consumption of both sugary and sugar-free energy drinks may have a similar negative impact on metabolic health, including an increased risk of insulin resistance. Other concerns include:

Dental Erosion: The high acidity in many energy drinks, including sugar-free ones due to ingredients like citric and phosphoric acid, can damage tooth enamel.
Digestive Issues: Some artificial sweeteners, particularly sugar alcohols, can cause bloating and other gastrointestinal discomfort.
Cardiovascular Effects: The high stimulant content can elevate heart rate and blood pressure, which may pose risks, especially for individuals with pre-existing heart conditions.

A Comparison of Popular Sugar-Free Energy Drinks


Feature	Red Bull Sugarfree	Monster Zero Ultra	Celsius	Zevia Zero Sugar	Ghost Energy	Alani Nu Energy
Sweetener	Sucralose & Ace-K	Sucralose	Sucralose	Stevia Leaf Extract	Sucralose & Ace-K	Sucralose
Caffeine (per can)	80mg (8.4 oz)	140mg (16 oz)	200mg (12 oz)	120mg (12 oz)	200mg (16 oz)	200mg (12 oz)
Key Additional Ingredients	Taurine, B-Vitamins	Taurine, Ginseng, Guarana, B-Vitamins	Ginger, Green Tea Extract, Guarana, B-Vitamins	Green Tea Extract	Taurine, L-Carnitine, Alpha-GPC	Taurine, Biotin, B-Vitamins, L-Tyrosine
Calorie Count	~5 calories	~10 calories	~10 calories	0 calories	<10 calories	~5 calories

Conclusion: Making a Mindful Choice

Yes, there is an energy drink without sugar, and the market offers an expansive selection for consumers to choose from. While they offer a low-calorie alternative to their sugary counterparts and can provide a temporary boost in alertness and performance, they are not without potential health concerns. The high caffeine content, artificial sweeteners, and acidity all warrant mindful consumption. The best approach is to moderate your intake, be aware of your body's sensitivity to caffeine and sweeteners, and consider more natural options like coffee or tea for a caffeine boost with fewer additives. Reading the ingredient list carefully and consulting a health professional if you have underlying conditions is always the wisest course of action.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. For health concerns, consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

While sugar-free energy drinks are lower in calories and carbs than their sugary versions, avoiding sugar does not make them perfectly healthy. The high caffeine levels, acidity, and artificial sweeteners can still cause health issues, including heart palpitations and dental erosion.

Red Bull Zero and Red Bull Sugarfree are both sugar-free, but they are made with different blends of low-calorie sweeteners to provide slightly different flavor profiles.

Although they do not contain sugar, the high caffeine content in these drinks can still impact blood sugar levels, especially in individuals with diabetes, as caffeine can reduce insulin sensitivity.

Brands like Zevia use stevia, a natural plant-based sweetener, which is often considered a healthier option than artificial sweeteners. However, experts note that sweeteners, including stevia, may still affect the body's craving for sweetness.

Common side effects include increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, anxiety, sleep disturbances, headaches, and potential digestive discomfort due to artificial sweeteners or stimulants.

Sugar-free energy drinks are low in calories, making them less likely to cause weight gain directly. However, some studies suggest certain artificial sweeteners might disrupt metabolic health and potentially contribute to weight-related issues, though more research is needed.

Yes, some brands like Kill Cliff Ignite use natural caffeine sources and no artificial ingredients. Others focus on natural sweeteners like stevia, giving consumers options without synthetic additives.