Which sodas are not acidic? The Complete Low-Acidity Guide

January 11, 2026 •

4 min read

While many popular soft drinks are extremely acidic with a pH of around 2.5, some sodas are not acidic at all, providing a much gentler option for your digestive and dental health. Understanding pH is key to making healthier beverage choices and protecting your body from excessive acid exposure.

Quick Summary

This guide reveals low-acidity soda options, including root beer, club soda, and modern functional beverages, to protect your teeth and stomach. It explains the pH scale and offers safer alternatives for better wellness.

Key Points

Root Beer is the least acidic commercial soda: Brands like A&W typically have a pH above 4.0 due to the lack of phosphoric and citric acids.
Club Soda is a safe choice: Plain club soda or mineral water has a higher pH than flavored sodas, with acidity coming from milder carbonic acid.
Functional sodas offer alternatives: Products from brands like Olipop and Poppi are designed to be lower in acid, often including prebiotic fibers.
High acidity damages enamel: Dental erosion occurs when pH levels drop below 5.5, a common state when consuming regular dark colas or citrus sodas.
Read ingredient labels: Avoid sodas listing phosphoric acid or citric acid high on the ingredient list to find less acidic options.
Acidity irritates GERD: Individuals with acid reflux should opt for low-acidity beverages to minimize irritation and symptoms.

The Science of Soda Acidity

To understand which sodas are not acidic, it's crucial to grasp the basics of the pH scale. Ranging from 0 to 14, with 7 as neutral, a lower pH indicates higher acidity. Most water has a neutral pH of 7, while many popular sodas fall between 2 and 4, making them highly acidic. The acidity in soda primarily comes from two sources: carbonic acid and added flavor acids.

Carbonic Acid: The carbonation process of infusing carbon dioxide (CO2) into water creates carbonic acid. While this makes all carbonated beverages somewhat acidic, the effect is relatively mild. Sparkling mineral water, for example, typically has a pH between 5.3 and 6.0.
Phosphoric and Citric Acids: The most significant acid contributors are additives like phosphoric acid, common in dark colas, and citric acid, found in many fruit-flavored sodas. These are potent acidifiers that drop the pH to dangerously low levels for dental enamel and stomach lining.

Why Low Acidity Matters for Your Health

Choosing less acidic beverages has direct benefits for both your dental and digestive health. Low-acidity drinks are a safer choice for those with sensitivities.

Dental Health: Tooth enamel, the hard, protective outer layer of your teeth, begins to demineralize and soften at a pH of 5.5. This makes acidic sodas a primary cause of dental erosion, where repeated exposure to acid can permanently damage enamel. Low-acidity options greatly reduce this risk.
Digestive Health: For individuals with acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), acidic foods and drinks can trigger or worsen symptoms. Opting for low-acid sodas can minimize stomach irritation and acid production.

Least Acidic Sodas on the Market

While all carbonated drinks contain some level of acid due to carbonation, certain sodas are significantly less acidic than their counterparts. The key is to avoid sodas containing phosphoric or citric acid. Here are some of the top low-acidity choices:

Root Beer: Mug and A&W Root Beer are consistently cited as the least acidic soft drinks, often having a pH above 4.0. The lower acidity is primarily because root beer does not contain phosphoric or citric acids.
Club Soda: Plain club soda and carbonated mineral water are far less acidic than flavored sodas. Canada Dry Club Soda, for instance, has a pH of 5.24, and mineral waters like S. Pellegrino are also above 4.9.
Modern Functional Sodas: A new wave of healthy soda alternatives like Olipop and Poppi focus on digestive health. Many of these low-sugar options use prebiotics and natural flavors, resulting in a less acidic profile than traditional sodas.

Low-Acidity Soda Comparison Table


Beverage	Typical pH Range	Key Acidifiers	Consideration
A&W Root Beer	4.27–4.75	Carbonic acid	Gentle on enamel, no phosphoric/citric acid
Canada Dry Club Soda	5.24	Carbonic acid	Closest to neutral water, good for mixers
Olipop	Varies by flavor	Minimal	Low sugar, often contains probiotics/prebiotics
Coca-Cola Classic	2.37–2.52	Phosphoric acid, carbonic acid	Highly corrosive to enamel and digestive system
Sprite	3.09–3.24	Citric acid, carbonic acid	High citric acid content, still very erosive

How to Identify Less Acidic Sodas

Beyond just sticking to root beer, there are ways to find less acidic options on your own. Reading the ingredient label is your best tool. Avoid drinks that list phosphoric acid or large quantities of citric acid. Look for drinks sweetened with natural alternatives like stevia or monk fruit, as they often contain fewer added acids.

Here are some tips:

Check the ingredients list: Scan for 'phosphoric acid' or 'citric acid' near the top of the list, as this indicates a higher concentration.
Favor natural and herbal flavors: Sodas with flavors like ginger, vanilla, or spices tend to rely less on potent fruit-based acids.
Consider zero-calorie options carefully: While diet sodas eliminate sugar, many still contain high levels of phosphoric or citric acid for flavor and preservation. Always check the label.
Read reviews and research pH levels: Some brands openly share their products' pH levels, while dental health blogs and websites often provide comparison charts to help you choose wisely.

Conclusion: Making Smarter Soda Choices

While avoiding soda entirely remains the best option for your health, for those who enjoy a bubbly treat, knowing which sodas are not acidic can make a significant difference. Root beer, club soda, and new-age functional sodas offer substantially lower acidity compared to traditional colas and citrus-flavored drinks, safeguarding your tooth enamel and digestive system. By prioritizing beverages with minimal acidic additives, you can continue to enjoy a refreshing fizz without the damaging health consequences. Making an informed choice based on the pH level is a simple step towards a healthier lifestyle overall.

For more information on digestive health, consider visiting a resource like the Cleveland Clinic's Digestive Health pages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, root beer is consistently found to be one of the least acidic commercial soft drinks. This is primarily because it typically does not contain highly acidic ingredients like phosphoric or citric acid, unlike most colas and fruit-flavored sodas.

The pH level of root beer generally falls between 4.0 and 4.75, which is significantly higher and less acidic than the pH of most dark colas, which are often below 3.0.

No, club soda and plain sparkling mineral water are not highly acidic. Their acidity comes from carbonic acid, which is much weaker than the acids found in many flavored sodas. Canada Dry Club Soda, for example, has a pH of 5.24.

Not necessarily. While diet sodas eliminate sugar, many still contain the same highly acidic flavorings and preservatives, such as phosphoric and citric acid, which can be just as corrosive to tooth enamel.

Phosphoric acid is a potent acid that significantly lowers a soda's pH. When consumed regularly, this high acidity can soften and erode tooth enamel, leading to long-term dental damage.

You should generally avoid dark colas and citrus-flavored sodas, both regular and diet, due to their high content of phosphoric and citric acid. Examples include Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Sprite, and Mountain Dew.

Besides root beer and club soda, consider sparkling mineral water, probiotic sodas like Olipop or Poppi, or water infused with mild ingredients like cucumber or mint.