Is there sugar in Air Up? The Truth About Scented Hydration

January 13, 2026 •

3 min read

The majority of what we perceive as 'taste' is actually detected by our sense of smell, a phenomenon known as retronasal olfaction. This is the science behind Air Up, a system that flavors plain water through scent alone, meaning there is no sugar in Air Up pods or the water you drink.

Quick Summary

Air Up is a hydration system that uses scented pods to create the illusion of flavor in plain water without adding any sugar, calories, or artificial sweeteners. The technology works by utilizing the sense of smell to trick the brain into perceiving taste, offering a guilt-free alternative to sugary drinks.

Key Points

No Sugar or Sweeteners: Air Up pods contain no sugar or artificial sweeteners; the flavor perception comes from scent alone.
Zero Calories: The final beverage consumed is pure water, resulting in a zero-calorie drink.
Natural Aromas: The flavor pods use natural fruit, herb, and spice extracts to create the scent.
Science of Scent: The system works through retronasal olfaction, where your brain interprets scent as taste.
Beneficial for Health: Air Up can help reduce sugar intake, support weight management, and encourage drinking more water.
No Water Alterations: The water you drink remains pure and unaltered by the flavor pods.

Understanding the Air Up Technology

Air Up is not a water additive, but rather a delivery system that enhances your hydration experience using the power of scent. The core of the product is its flavor pods, which contain natural aromas extracted from fruits, herbs, and spices. When you sip from the Air Up bottle, air bubbles pass through the scented pod and travel up to your olfactory receptors. Your brain then processes this scent as if it were a taste, even though the water itself remains pure.

The Science of Scentaste™

The company refers to its method as 'Scentaste™', leveraging retronasal olfaction, the process by which aromas are perceived as flavor in the back of the throat. This means the flavored air provides the sensation of taste while the water itself is unaltered. For those who find plain water boring, this provides a compelling and sugar-free alternative. This unique approach allows for a flavorful drink that supports healthy hydration habits.

A Detailed Breakdown: No Sugar, No Calories

The most critical takeaway for consumers is the absolute absence of sugar, sweeteners, and calories in the Air Up system.

What the pods contain:

Natural Aromas: Flavors are derived from natural sources, such as fruits, spices, and herbs.
Air-Permeable Fleece: This fibrous material within the pod holds the natural aromas.
Recyclable Materials: The pods are made from recyclable plastic materials, and the company has stated plans to transition to bio-based plastics.

What they don't contain:

Sugar: No added sugars whatsoever.
Artificial Sweeteners: The system avoids aspartame, sucralose, and other artificial alternatives.
Calories: Since only plain water is being ingested, there are zero calories.
Additives: No additives are used to alter the water's composition.

Air Up vs. Traditional Flavored Drinks

To illustrate the difference, here is a comparison table between Air Up and traditional flavored beverages.


Feature	Air Up	Sugary Soft Drinks	Artificially Sweetened Drinks
Sugar	0%	High	0% (but contains sweeteners)
Calories	0	High (often 100+ per serving)	0 (typically)
Flavor Source	Scented air via pods	Sugars, flavorings	Artificial sweeteners, flavorings
Impact on Water	Water remains pure	Changes water's composition	Changes water's composition
Health Benefits	Promotes pure water intake	Can lead to weight gain, dental issues	Can have a laxative effect or other side effects

Practical Implications for Health

For individuals managing health conditions like diabetes, or simply trying to reduce their sugar intake, Air Up is an attractive option. The lack of sugar means it does not affect blood glucose levels. However, it's worth noting that some retailers suggest it may not be suitable for those who need to strictly monitor their sugar intake, potentially due to the psychological effect of tasting 'sweetness'. While there are no physiological effects on blood sugar, users should consult with their healthcare provider if they have concerns.

Conclusion

In summary, the claim that there is no sugar in Air Up is completely accurate. The system uses natural aromas to trick the brain into tasting flavor, leaving the water untouched. This makes Air Up an innovative tool for encouraging better hydration habits, especially for those looking to cut down on sugary and artificially sweetened beverages. By focusing on the sense of smell rather than taste buds, it offers a guilt-free way to enjoy flavored water. The product's commitment to using natural aromas and its zero-calorie, zero-sugar profile position it as a truly healthy alternative in the beverage market.

For more information on the science behind retronasal olfaction, consider exploring academic resources like those that helped inform the Air Up system: How air up® works | Water with scented flavour pods.

The Importance of Hydration

Staying hydrated is crucial for overall well-being, playing a role in everything from mental clarity to energy levels. The Air Up system makes this essential habit more enjoyable, thereby helping more people achieve their hydration goals without resorting to less healthy options.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Air Up does not add any flavorings or additives to the water itself. The water remains pure and flavorless; the flavor you perceive is solely due to scent.

Air Up utilizes a scientific principle called retronasal olfaction. When you sip water, air bubbles pass through a scented pod and carry a natural aroma to your olfactory receptors, which your brain interprets as taste.

Yes, Air Up is generally considered safe for diabetics since the water you drink contains no sugar and therefore does not impact blood glucose levels. However, those who must monitor sugar intake strictly should consult a doctor, though this is related to the perceived sweetness, not a physiological effect.

Yes, Air Up is suitable for children. The use of scent to add flavor can encourage kids to drink more plain water and help them avoid sugary drinks.

The flavor pods contain a fibrous fleece material infused with natural aromas derived from fruits, herbs, and spices. These aromas are what create the flavor sensation.

The pods are made from recyclable materials. The outer casing is polypropylene (PP) and the inner fleece is polyester (PE), both of which are recyclable.

Yes, Air Up uses natural flavors in its pods. Furthermore, flavors like Cola are explicitly stated to be caffeine-free, offering a healthy alternative to traditional soft drinks.