Seltzers without Artificial Sweeteners: Your Guide to Clean Hydration
For many health-conscious consumers, sparkling water is a go-to alternative to sugary sodas. However, the market for flavored seltzers can be confusing, with some brands adding artificial sweeteners to enhance the taste. These additives can contribute to cravings for sugary foods and may have other negative health effects. To avoid them, it's essential to know which brands are committed to using only natural ingredients.
Brands Using Natural Flavors and Essences
Many seltzer manufacturers use natural essences and flavors derived from fruits and herbs to create a flavorful experience without adding sugar or artificial sweeteners. These brands are typically calorie-free and have simple, transparent ingredient lists.
- Bubly: A PepsiCo brand, Bubly is well-known for its fun cans and wide array of flavors. The company explicitly states that its products contain no artificial sweeteners, only sparkling water and natural flavors.
- La Croix: A long-standing favorite, La Croix uses only carbonated water and natural essence oils to achieve its flavors. It is completely free of artificial sweeteners, sugars, and calories.
- Polar Seltzer: This brand prides itself on using natural flavors and no sweeteners in its extensive line of flavored seltzers. They offer a wide variety of combinations, all with zero calories and zero sugar.
- Waterloo: Waterloo is another brand with a commitment to clean ingredients. Their sparkling waters contain zero calories, zero sugar, and are made without artificial sweeteners.
- Aura Bora: For those looking for more unique and botanical flavors, Aura Bora offers sparkling water infused with real herbs, fruits, and flowers. They are sugar-free, calorie-free, and use all-natural ingredients.
Brands Using Real Fruit Juice
Another category of natural seltzers uses real fruit juice to add flavor. While this can introduce a small number of calories and natural sugar, it appeals to those who prefer flavor from whole food sources.
- Spindrift: Known for its transparent labeling, Spindrift uses real squeezed fruit and sparkling water. The result is a more robust, slightly colored flavor profile with a minimal calorie count, directly from the fruit.
- Sound: Some sparkling water options, like Sound, also use real fruit to create their flavors. This ensures the flavoring is from a natural, identifiable source, with no artificial additives.
- Sanpellegrino Ciao: This line offers sparkling water with real fruit juices and no added sugar. It provides a low-calorie, naturally sweet option without artificial ingredients.
Comparison of Seltzer Brands Without Artificial Sweeteners
| Feature | Bubly | La Croix | Spindrift | Waterloo | Aura Bora | Sanpellegrino Ciao |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flavoring Method | Natural Essences | Natural Essences | Real Fruit Juice | Natural Flavors | Real Herbs/Fruits/Flowers | Real Fruit Juices |
| Calorie Count | Zero | Zero | Minimal (from fruit) | Zero | Zero | Low (from fruit juice) |
| Sweetener Type | None | None | Naturally Occurring Sugar | None | None | Naturally Occurring Sugar |
| Ingredient Simplicity | Simple (2 ingredients) | Simple (2 ingredients) | Transparent (real fruit) | Simple (natural flavors) | Transparent (herbs/flowers) | Transparent (real juice) |
| Aftertaste | Crisp, Clean | Subtle, Clean | Clean, Fruity | Crisp, Clean | Unique, Earthy | Clean, Fruity |
How to Read Labels for Clarity
To ensure you are choosing a product without artificial sweeteners, always read the ingredient label carefully.
- Check the Ingredients List: Look for a simple list, typically containing just "carbonated water" and "natural flavors" or "real fruit juice." The term "natural flavors" is broadly defined by the FDA, so if you are highly sensitive, brands using real juice like Spindrift or Aura Bora might be preferable.
- Scan for Sweeteners: Keep an eye out for common artificial or alternative sweeteners such as aspartame, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, stevia extract, monk fruit, or erythritol. While some, like stevia and monk fruit, are derived from plants, many consumers who avoid artificial sweeteners prefer to steer clear of these as well.
- Note the Nutritional Facts: A quick glance at the nutritional information can confirm if there is sugar or calories. If it shows 0g sugar and 0 calories, it's likely sweetened only with natural essences or unsweetened. If it has a few calories and grams of sugar, it probably uses real fruit juice.
The Rise of Hard Seltzers
For those interested in alcoholic seltzers, many brands are also catering to the demand for options without artificial sweeteners. Popular hard seltzers, like Truly and White Claw, are typically made with a fermented sugar or malt base, sparkling water, and natural fruit flavors. Many brands within this category, including some White Claw products, state they do not contain artificial sweeteners, though checking individual labels is always recommended.
Conclusion
Choosing a seltzer with no artificial sweeteners is simple once you know what to look for. Brands like Bubly, La Croix, Polar, and Waterloo offer zero-calorie, zero-sweetener options flavored with natural essences, while Spindrift, Sound, and Sanpellegrino Ciao provide a touch of real fruit for minimal calories. By carefully checking the ingredient list and nutrition label, you can confidently find a delicious, healthy, and hydrating seltzer that fits your dietary needs and preferences.
Making Your Own at Home
For the ultimate control, making your own sparkling water is a great option. Using a soda maker allows you to carbonate plain water, and you can add natural flavors with fresh fruit slices, herbs like mint or basil, or a splash of fresh juice. This DIY method guarantees no artificial sweeteners and provides a customizable, refreshing beverage.
Potential Downsides of Flavored Seltzers
Even with natural ingredients, there are some considerations. The carbonic acid in all carbonated water can slightly increase acidity, which may be a concern for some with dental health issues. However, this is significantly less of an issue than with sugary sodas. The ambiguous term “natural flavors” used by some brands might also be a turn-off for consumers who prefer truly minimal and transparent ingredient lists. For these individuals, choosing brands that use real fruit juice or sticking to plain seltzer with DIY additions is the best approach.
