Why can a zero-sugar drink still score poorly?
It surprises people: a zero-sugar soda can score only a little better than the regular one. That's because the score looks at more than sugar.
How drinks are scored
- Drinks are compared with other drinks, using Nutri-Score's own table for beverages — a strict one, because most drinks offer little nutrition to earn points with.
- Plain water gets the best rating.
- Sweeteners, acidity regulators such as phosphoric acid, and colors are additives, rated in the additive part of the score.
About sweeteners
Low-calorie sweeteners are approved for use in food, but some are still being studied. In 2023, for example, IARC classified aspartame as 'possibly carcinogenic,' while the joint WHO/FAO expert committee kept its acceptable daily intake unchanged. An additive's risk level reflects this kind of evidence.
Better picks
If you like fizzy drinks, sparkling water — plain, or naturally flavored without sweeteners — usually scores at the top. Scan a few and let the alternatives do the comparing.
FAQ
- Is zero-sugar better than regular soda?
- On sugar, yes. On the overall score the gap is often smaller than expected, because both rely on additives and neither offers much nutrition.
Scan it before you buy it
Novaz: Food & Cosmetic Scanner scores food and cosmetics from 0 to 100, shows why, and suggests better picks from the same shelf — no ads, no account.
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