Is There Really No Sugar in Sprite Zero? A Deep Dive into the Sweetener Facts

November 25, 2025 •

4 min read

According to Coca-Cola’s own nutritional data, Sprite Zero contains 0g of total sugar per serving. But if there is really no sugar in Sprite Zero, how does it maintain its signature sweet flavor? This article explains the ingredients that provide its sweetness and explores the broader context of 'zero sugar' beverages.

Quick Summary

Sprite Zero uses artificial sweeteners, specifically aspartame and acesulfame potassium, to achieve its sweet taste without adding sugar. This analysis explores how these zero-calorie alternatives work and contrasts the zero-sugar soda with its regular counterpart.

Key Points

Zero sugar is true: Sprite Zero contains no table sugar (sucrose), as verified by its nutrition label.
Sweetness comes from artificial sweeteners: The sweet flavor is created by a blend of aspartame and acesulfame potassium (Ace-K).
Aspartame and Acesulfame Potassium are common: These two sweeteners are often used together to create a synergistic, balanced sweet taste.
Debate over health effects: The long-term health effects of high artificial sweetener consumption are still debated by experts and are the subject of ongoing research.
Not a health food: While a lower-calorie alternative, Sprite Zero is not nutritionally superior to water and should be consumed in moderation.
FDA approval vs. other views: Approved by the FDA as safe in moderation, but organizations like the IARC have classified aspartame as a 'possible carcinogen'.

The Sweet Truth: How Sprite Zero Gets Its Flavor

For anyone looking to reduce their sugar intake, a can of Sprite Zero seems like a simple solution, offering the crisp, lemon-lime taste without the calories of a regular soda. The reason for its zero-sugar status isn't that it's unsweetened, but rather that it uses a combination of powerful artificial sweeteners to replicate the taste of sugar. The use of these high-intensity, non-nutritive sweeteners allows The Coca-Cola Company to market the product as 'zero sugar' and 'zero calories'.

The Key Artificial Sweeteners in Sprite Zero

Sprite Zero relies on two specific artificial sweeteners that work together to create its flavor profile. This blending is common practice in the beverage industry, as combining sweeteners can help balance the taste and mitigate any potential aftertastes one sweetener might have on its own.

Aspartame: The Primary Sweetener

Aspartame, also known by brand names like NutraSweet and Equal, is an artificial sweetener about 200 times sweeter than sucrose (table sugar). It's made from two naturally occurring amino acids, aspartic acid and phenylalanine.

Aspartame contains a negligible amount of calories (four calories per gram), but since so little is needed for sweetness, it's considered calorie-free for all practical purposes.
It has been approved for use by the FDA since the 1980s.
The safety of aspartame has been a subject of controversy. While regulatory bodies like the FDA and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) consider it safe within an acceptable daily intake (ADI) limit, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified it as 'possibly carcinogenic to humans' based on limited evidence. This does not mean it is proven to cause cancer in humans, but highlights the ongoing debate.
Individuals with the rare genetic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU) cannot properly metabolize phenylalanine and must avoid aspartame.

Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K): The Flavor Enhancer

Acesulfame potassium, often called Ace-K, is another artificial sweetener used in Sprite Zero. It is also around 200 times sweeter than table sugar but is entirely calorie-free. Ace-K is known for its stability under heat, making it suitable for a wide range of food products.

When used alone, Ace-K can have a slightly bitter or metallic aftertaste.
It is frequently blended with other sweeteners, such as aspartame, to create a more balanced and synergistic flavor profile that masks any unpleasant aftertaste.
Like aspartame, it has been rigorously tested and approved for use by major food safety authorities.

Comparing Sprite Zero and Regular Sprite

The most significant differences between Sprite Zero and regular Sprite lie in their sugar and calorie content. This comparison table highlights the major distinctions that result from swapping sugar with artificial sweeteners.


Feature	Regular Sprite	Sprite Zero
Sweeteners	High-fructose corn syrup, Sugar	Aspartame, Acesulfame Potassium
Sugar Content (per 12 fl oz can)	38g	0g
Calorie Content (per 12 fl oz can)	140 calories	0 calories
Flavor Profile	Classic, pronounced sugar sweetness	Crisp, lemon-lime flavor with a lighter sweetness and potential aftertaste
Health Impact	High added sugar intake linked to health risks like weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease	Contains artificial sweeteners with ongoing health debates, especially concerning long-term, high consumption

Are Artificial Sweeteners a Healthy Alternative?

For some, replacing sugary soda with a zero-sugar option is a useful tool for weight management or controlling blood sugar levels. However, the long-term health implications of regular artificial sweetener consumption are still a subject of scientific debate.

Key considerations regarding artificial sweeteners include:

Weight Management: While they can reduce calorie intake in the short term, some observational studies suggest a link between frequent diet soda consumption and higher BMI. The World Health Organization (WHO) advises against using non-sugar sweeteners for weight control due to inconclusive evidence regarding long-term benefits.
Dental Health: Unlike sugar, artificial sweeteners are not fermented by mouth bacteria into acids that damage tooth enamel, potentially lowering the risk of tooth decay.
Gut Health: Emerging research suggests that some artificial sweeteners may negatively affect the gut microbiome, which is vital for overall health.
Cardiovascular Health: Some studies have observed a correlation between high artificial sweetener consumption and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, though more research is needed to determine causation.

The FDA maintains that approved artificial sweeteners are safe for the general population when consumed within acceptable daily intake levels. The best course of action often involves moderation and prioritizing whole foods over highly processed beverages. For more information, you can consult resources from the FDA.

Conclusion: Making an Informed Choice

Sprite Zero delivers on its promise of zero sugar by replacing it with artificial sweeteners like aspartame and acesulfame potassium. For those counting calories or managing blood sugar, it can be a helpful occasional treat. However, it is not a 'health drink,' and its long-term effects remain a topic of research and debate. The wisest approach is to consume it in moderation as part of a balanced diet and to consider water and naturally flavored sparkling water as healthier, unsweetened alternatives. By understanding what's truly inside your drink, you can make the best choice for your health goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sprite Zero is a lower-calorie option than regular Sprite because it contains no sugar. However, whether it is 'healthier' is a subject of debate, as it contains artificial sweeteners whose long-term health effects are still being studied.

The primary difference is the sweetener used. Regular Sprite contains high-fructose corn syrup and sugar, while Sprite Zero contains the artificial, non-nutritive sweeteners aspartame and acesulfame potassium.

While it is sugar-free, some observational studies have found a correlation between frequent diet soda consumption and higher BMI. However, other studies show that substituting sugar-sweetened drinks with artificially sweetened ones can help with short-term weight management. The World Health Organization advises against relying on them for weight control.

Many people report a difference in taste between the two. The flavor of Sprite Zero is influenced by its artificial sweeteners, which some find to have a slightly different or noticeable aftertaste compared to the pure sugar sweetness of regular Sprite.

The FDA and EFSA have approved the sweeteners used, including aspartame and acesulfame potassium, as safe for consumption within acceptable daily intake levels for the general population. However, some health organizations and studies have raised concerns regarding their long-term effects.

Because Sprite Zero contains no sugar, it does not raise blood glucose levels, making it a potential alternative to regular soda for someone with diabetes. However, moderation is still key, and individuals should consult a healthcare professional regarding their diet.

For a refreshing, unsweetened option, lemon-lime sparkling water is a great alternative to both regular Sprite and Sprite Zero. You can also add fresh lemon or lime juice to plain water for a natural, zero-calorie citrus flavor.