What Soda Has No Sugar and No Calories?

October 1, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the World Health Organization, substituting sugar with non-nutritive sweeteners does not lead to long-term body fat reduction and may have health implications. However, when looking for a low-calorie alternative to regular soda, many people ask: what soda has no sugar and no calories? The answer involves popular brands like Coke Zero and Sprite Zero, as well as naturally-sweetened options such as Zevia.

Quick Summary

Several soft drink options are both sugar-free and calorie-free, including well-known brands like Coke Zero Sugar, Diet Coke, Sprite Zero Sugar, Pepsi Zero Sugar, and Zevia. These beverages utilize artificial or natural zero-calorie sweeteners like aspartame, acesulfame potassium, and stevia to mimic the taste of sugar without the caloric content. Healthier alternatives like flavored sparkling water also fit this category while often avoiding artificial additives.

Key Points

Variety of Zero-Calorie Sodas: Many major soda companies offer zero-calorie and zero-sugar versions of their popular drinks, including Coke Zero, Diet Coke, Sprite Zero, and Pepsi Zero Sugar.
Different Sweeteners are Used: The specific sweeteners used vary by brand. For instance, Diet Coke primarily uses aspartame, while Coke Zero adds acesulfame potassium, and Zevia exclusively uses natural stevia.
Naturally-Sweetened Options are Available: Brands like Zevia use natural stevia leaf extract to sweeten their sodas, providing a zero-calorie alternative without artificial ingredients.
Health Alternatives Exist: For healthier hydration, options like flavored sparkling water (e.g., LaCroix, Bubly), fruit-infused water, and herbal teas are excellent choices that are also zero-calorie and can be free of artificial ingredients.
Potential Health Downsides: Despite being sugar-free, diet sodas have been linked to potential issues like altered taste perception, gut microbiome changes, and tooth erosion due to acidity.
Not a Magic Bullet for Weight Loss: While removing sugar from your diet is beneficial, diet soda isn't a proven tool for weight loss and may even increase cravings for sweet foods.

The Popular Zero-Calorie Contenders

For those seeking the familiar taste of a soft drink without the calories and sugar, several major brands offer popular 'zero' or 'diet' versions. The primary difference between many of these is the specific blend of artificial sweeteners used, which affects the flavor profile.

Classic Diet and Zero Sugar Sodas

Coke Zero Sugar: Marketed to taste more like Coca-Cola Classic, this beverage is sweetened with a blend of aspartame and acesulfame potassium (Ace-K). It provides a familiar cola flavor without the sugar or calories.
Diet Coke: Introduced in 1982, Diet Coke is sweetened with aspartame and is formulated to have a lighter, different flavor profile compared to regular Coke and Coke Zero.
Sprite Zero Sugar: This version offers the classic lemon-lime flavor of Sprite but with zero sugar and calories. Like Coke Zero, it uses a blend of artificial sweeteners.
Pepsi Zero Sugar: This competitor to Coke Zero uses a similar blend of artificial sweeteners to provide a cola taste without the calories.
Dr. Pepper Zero Sugar: Catering to the unique taste of Dr. Pepper, this zero-calorie version is widely available.

Naturally Sweetened Alternatives

For those who prefer to avoid artificial sweeteners, a growing number of brands are using natural, zero-calorie options.

Zevia: This brand offers a wide range of flavors, from cola to ginger ale, all sweetened exclusively with stevia leaf extract. Zevia beverages are also non-GMO verified, vegan, and gluten-free.
Olipop: This brand offers a healthier twist on traditional sodas, often using a combination of natural sweeteners and added fiber.

The Role of Artificial Sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners are the key ingredient that allows sodas to have zero calories while retaining a sweet taste. While approved as safe by regulatory bodies, their long-term health effects are still under debate and the subject of ongoing research.

Aspartame: One of the most common artificial sweeteners, aspartame is widely used in diet sodas like Diet Coke. It is 200 times sweeter than sugar.
Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K): Often used in combination with aspartame, Ace-K helps to create a sweetness profile closer to that of sugar by counteracting the aftertaste of other sweeteners.
Stevia: A natural, plant-based sweetener that provides sweetness without calories. Brands like Zevia use it as their primary sweetener.

Comparison of Popular Zero-Calorie Sodas


Feature	Diet Coke	Coke Zero Sugar	Zevia Cola
Sweeteners	Aspartame only	Aspartame and Ace-K	Stevia Leaf Extract
Taste Profile	Lighter, distinct flavor	Tastes closer to classic Coke	Naturally sweetened, sometimes has a hint of stevia
Caffeine	Higher caffeine content (46mg/12oz)	Less caffeine than Diet Coke (34mg/12oz)	45mg/12oz
Aftertaste	Can have a stronger aftertaste	Milder, less bitter aftertaste	Can have a unique, plant-based aftertaste

Healthier Alternatives to Artificial Sweeteners

While zero-calorie sodas can be an effective way to cut down on sugar, they are not the only option. In fact, many nutrition experts recommend transitioning away from sweeteners altogether.

Healthier alternatives include:

Flavored Sparkling Water: Brands like LaCroix, Bubly, and Waterloo offer zero-calorie, zero-sugar sparkling water with natural fruit essences for flavor.
Fruit-Infused Water: Add slices of fresh fruit like lemon, lime, or cucumber to plain or sparkling water for a refreshing, natural taste.
Herbal Teas: Many herbal teas can be brewed and chilled for a zero-calorie, flavorful drink.
Unsweetened Iced Tea: A simple and classic zero-calorie option, especially when brewed from loose-leaf tea.

Potential Downsides of Diet Soda

Though they offer a way to enjoy a sweet treat without calories, diet sodas are not without potential downsides. Research on artificial sweeteners has raised several points of concern:

Altered Taste Perception: Frequent consumption of intensely sweet flavors can potentially alter your brain's response to sweetness, leading to increased cravings for sweet foods.
Gut Microbiome Changes: Some studies suggest that artificial sweeteners may disrupt the gut microbiome, which can potentially affect metabolic health.
Tooth Erosion: The acidic nature of soda, including diet and zero-sugar varieties, can contribute to tooth enamel erosion over time.
Mixed Effects on Weight: While studies have shown that replacing sugary drinks with diet soda can lead to some weight loss, the results are conflicting, and the drinks themselves offer no nutritional value.

Conclusion

For those asking what soda has no sugar and no calories?, the answer includes a variety of options from major brands like Coca-Cola and Pepsi, as well as naturally-sweetened alternatives like Zevia. These drinks achieve their zero-calorie status by using sweeteners such as aspartame, Ace-K, or stevia. While they can help reduce sugar intake, they provide no nutritional value and are not necessarily a 'healthy' choice. Health experts often recommend water, flavored sparkling water, and herbal teas as superior alternatives for long-term health and hydration. The ultimate decision depends on personal taste and overall health goals, with smarter choices offering better nutritional support.

For further reading on the effects of artificial sweeteners on health, a comprehensive review by the National Institutes of Health provides more detail: The Impact of Artificial Sweeteners on Human Health and Disease.

Frequently Asked Questions

Several sodas have no sugar and no calories, including Coke Zero Sugar, Diet Coke, Sprite Zero Sugar, Pepsi Zero Sugar, and the naturally sweetened Zevia line.

No, they are different. Both are zero-calorie, but Coke Zero is formulated to taste more like regular Coca-Cola using a mix of aspartame and acesulfame potassium. Diet Coke uses only aspartame and has a distinct, lighter flavor.

The health effects of zero-calorie sodas are controversial and not definitively proven. While they help reduce sugar intake, some studies suggest potential issues like altered gut health, increased sweet cravings, and tooth enamel erosion due to acidity.

From a natural ingredient perspective, brands like Zevia, which are sweetened with stevia leaf extract and contain no artificial colors or flavors, are often considered a healthier option than those using artificial sweeteners. However, plain or naturally flavored sparkling water is the healthiest carbonated choice.

No, not all diet sodas contain caffeine. Brands like Sprite Zero Sugar and some specific versions, such as Caffeine Free Coke Zero, are caffeine-free.

The link between diet soda and weight loss is complex. While some studies show replacing sugary drinks with diet versions can lead to short-term weight loss, others suggest it may not be effective long-term and could even increase cravings for sweet foods.

Healthier alternatives include naturally flavored sparkling water (e.g., LaCroix, Bubly), fruit-infused water, and herbal teas. These options provide flavor without artificial sweeteners and often offer better hydration.