The Appeal of Sugar-Free Drinks: What's Driving Their Popularity?
Sugar-free drinks have been all the rage for the last few decades. Though low-sugar drinks have been around since the 1950s, only in the mid-2000s have sugar-free drinks become more popular.
What added benefit do sugar free drinks offer? Sugar-free drinks like bottled tea drinks, flavored waters, and canned sparkling maté beverages offer us the opportunity to enjoy the same great-tasting foods we’ve grown to love, while reducing our calorie intake and maintaining healthy blood glucose levels.
“But why are they becoming popular, and why now?” You might be wondering. Knowing the reasons why can help us craft a more optimal lifestyle, one centered around healthy living.
We wanted to share our insights and research with you in hopes that understanding the appeal of sugar-free drinks can help you make more informed choices and live a healthier life.
Call it market demand, a society more cognizant of being health-conscious, or a sign of the changing times. The truth is that the appeal of sugar-free energy drinks is due to all of the above.
Curious to know why?
Here’s what we found through research and personal experience in the beverage industry.
Why are sugar-free beverages becoming more popular?
The sugar-free drink industry is becoming more popular for the following reasons:
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Consumers are more informed about the repercussions of eating a diet heavy in sugar.
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Consumers are also more aware of the relationship between excess sugar intake and potentially life-threatening health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and fatty liver disease.
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Increased motivation to avoid dental problems as a result of excessive sugar intake
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Increased desire to align eating habits and drinking habits with personal lifestyle choices and brand affiliations (especially with Generation Z).
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Growing demand for a ready-to-drink, on-the-go beverage that’s easy to sip and gives you energy
While sugar-free drinks are becoming more popular, we thought you might want to understand the ‘why’ behind the increased popularity of low-sugar and sugar-free beverages. Let’s take a look at the chemical composition of a sugar-free drink versus a fully-leaded drink with sugar.
The chemical composition of a sugar-free drink
Just because a drink is sugar-free doesn’t mean that it doesn’t include a healthy alternative that makes the drink taste like it has been sweetened.
The truth is that sugar-free drinks include alternative organic ingredients that help make the drink sweet. Some of the most common drink-sweetening chemicals include:
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Naturally occurring sugars: like honey, maple syrup, and agave nectar. These foods can last for years and still taste great when added to a drink.
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Low- and no-calorie sweeteners: These sweeteners have been shown to be associated with cognitive decline in research studies. Low and no-calorie sweeteners like aspartame (made from aspartic acid and phenylalanine) and acesulfame potassium (also known as ace-K) are examples. Both are sweeter-tasting than sugar, and fewer grams by volume are needed to achieve the same sweetness as cane sugar.
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Sucralose: is a type of alternative sweetener that’s created by processing sugar through a process called selective chlorination, a process that removes the caloric output from a sweetener.
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Sugar alcohols: Sugar alcohols like erythritol are found in fruits and fermented foods. They’re produced from glucose via yeast fermentation. With that being said, research suggests consuming sugar alcohols, like erythritol, in excess can increase blood clot formation and other cardiovascular issues.
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Stevia: derived from stevia rebaudiana, this leafy plant produces a super sweet chemical called reb-A (or steviol glycoside rebaudioside A), which can be paired with many drinks. We like stevia because it’s heat-stable, pH-stable, and non-fermentable making it a flexible, yet healthy sweetener for a variety of drinks. Plus, it doesn’t raise blood sugar.
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Monk fruit: Like stevia, monk fruit (also known as lo han guo or swingle fruit) is a healthy alternative to sugar that doesn’t raise blood sugar. Plus, only 0.04 grams are needed to create the same sweetness as 10 grams of sugar.
While the chemical composition of sugar contains carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, the other non-sugar sweeteners on this list stem from plants, which include healthy vitamins and minerals needed for gut and heart health.
The flexibility with which they can be used, coupled with their easy use with other healthy foods like yerba maté, coffee, and tea, makes sugar-free drinks a popular alternative to cane sugar-heavy beverages.
How our bodies process sugar versus sugar alternatives
Speaking of bodies, part of the appeal of sugar-free drinks is the way that the sugar-free alternatives inside the drink affect our bodies.
We like sugar-free alternatives like stevia because they’re often calorie-free, no glucose is involved, and insulin isn’t produced (like with sugar).
For example, our bodies take stevia straight to our colons before the glycoside is removed and the compound is transformed into steviol. Then, steviol makes its way to the liver, where it becomes glucuronide. The glucuronide moves to our kidneys, where it’s expelled through urination. One and done.
In contrast, when consuming sugar, our bodies break the sugar down into glucose. The glucose enters the bloodstream, travels to muscles and organs, and is converted into energy with the help of insulin.
As a result, our blood sugar levels rise.
Part of the appeal of sugar-free drinks is that the body doesn’t experience blood sugar rises and falls due to insulin levels increasing and decreasing like those of sugar-sweetened drinks.
Nevertheless, a large part of the rise of sugar-free drinks is its appeal for a healthier lifestyle, our final topic of this short article.
What are other common factors driving the popularity of sugar-free drinks?
One of the largest factors driving the success and popularity of sugar-free or low-sugar beverages is the opportunities it affords to live a healthier lifestyle. Since studies show that increased sugar intake is related to increased risk for contracting heart disease, many people are opting for healthier options that won’t increase the risk of life-threatening diseases.
Other popular factors that are driving the popularity of sugar-free drinks include:
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Reduced calories: In fact, studies have shown that non-nutritive sweetened beverages may be a promising alternative and complement for weight management programs.
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Blood sugar management: since sugar involves glucose spikes, those with blood-related conditions such as diabetes might benefit from sugar-free beverages.
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Closer alignment with specific dietary needs: many people choose sugar-free beverages as part of a diet that’s free of processed sugars and instead includes whole foods and natural drinks.
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Scientific innovation that helps create a better-tasting drink: we’re living in extraordinary times. We can now get the same great taste of sugar cane without the glucose spike and insulin level jumps, and all from the comfort of our homes. Modern technology has ensured that we have multiple avenues for tasting our favorite sweet foods without compromising our health goals. Plus, we can get these sugar-free beverages in our local grocery store or online shop. People choose sugar-free energy drinks because innovations and more connected global supply chains allow us to transport sugar-free drinks to all points of the world.
The combination of the above factors and modern-day conveniences means we’re now able to enjoy our favorite tasting beverages without sacrificing our health. As such, sugar-free energy drinks have increased in popularity for no other reason than the fact that they’re a modern convenience that’s developed because of growing innovation and a focus on better health outcomes.
Did you know?
Did you know that low-sugar and sugar-free drinks can also aid in stress management? With fewer glucose spikes involved, you can make decisions that lead to a more balanced, better you.
For example, many of our clients choose to sip Ola maté because it gives them energy without feeling wired. Just another reason to sip smart and stay grounded to keep feeling good.💫
Modern-day living helps us find low-sugar alternatives — like Ola maté!
One of the most important driving factors behind the rise of sugar-free energy drinks is the narrative we tell ourselves about on-the-go drinks.
We’re lucky enough to live in a time where white tea leaf-based drinks sourced from far East countries can be bottled sipped in far western countries like the United States. Likewise, we can enjoy all the benefits of Argentinian yerba mate in a convenient, ready-to-drink on-the-go can wherever we may live in the world.
And speaking of maté, if you’re looking for a sugar-free, natural drink that gives you energy, won’t spike insulin levels, and delivers lasting, smooth, and consistent energy without the crash or jitters, you gotta try Ola maté.
Whether you’re an athlete prepping for the next competition or looking for a quick pick-me-up before a huge exam or work project, grab a can of sparkling Ola maté.
Packed with polyphenols, flavonoids, adaptogens, B vitamins, and antioxidants, our sparkling yerba maté is USDA organic, includes just 5 grams of sugar, and weighs in at 40 calories a pop.
If you’re looking for a low-sugar alternative packed with fruit-based modern flavors, try our collection of delicious-tasting sparkling beverages.
Note: While yerba maté shows great promise — and while the market for yerba maté is projected to grow exponentially over the next decade — the content in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider regarding any health-related questions.
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