Sugar free Red Bull has become an increasingly popular choice for people looking to enjoy the energy boost of Red Bull without the sugar and calories. But some have wondered whether the artificial sweeteners used in sugar free Red Bull can cause unintended consequences like weight gain. Here we’ll take an in-depth look at the ingredients, nutritional information, and research regarding sugar free Red Bull to determine if it really does make you gain weight.
What’s in sugar free Red Bull?
The main difference between regular Red Bull and Sugarfree Red Bull is the sweetener used. Regular Red Bull is sweetened with sucrose and glucose, which are types of sugar. Sugarfree Red Bull is sweetened with aspartame and acesulfame K.
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that is approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar. It has been used as a sugar substitute in many foods and drinks since the 1980s. Acesulfame K is another artificial sweetener that is approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar. It is often combined with aspartame in products.
Besides the sweetener difference, the two drinks have similar ingredients including:
- Taurine – An amino acid that is naturally found in the body.
- Caffeine – The main psychoactive ingredient in coffee.
- B Vitamins – Including niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and pantothenic acid.
- Sodium citrate
- Inositol
- Carbonated water
So in terms of ingredients, the only real difference is the artificial sweeteners aspartame and acesulfame K instead of sugar.
Nutritional content
Now let’s compare the nutritional information for a 8.4oz can of regular Red Bull versus Sugarfree Red Bull:
| Nutrient | Regular Red Bull (8.4oz) | Sugarfree Red Bull (8.4oz) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 110 | 15 |
| Protein | 0g | 0g |
| Fat | 0g | 0g |
| Carbohydrates | 27g | 4g |
| Sugar | 27g | 0g |
| Caffeine | 80mg | 80mg |
Looking at the macronutrients – calories, carbs, and sugar – it’s clear that the Sugarfree version has a dramatic reduction compared to regular Red Bull. The Sugarfree version has nearly zero calories, carbs, and sugar.
This significant reduction in calories and sugar is because artificial sweeteners provide sweetness without any actual energy or carbohydrates.
Aspartame and acesulfame K sweeten Sugarfree Red Bull without adding any significant calories or carbs. So this allows people to get the flavor and energy from caffeine without calories and sugar.
Do artificial sweeteners cause weight gain?
While Sugarfree Red Bull has minimal calories and carbs compared to regular Red Bull, some people have questioned whether artificial sweeteners promote weight gain.
There have been conflicting studies on this over the years, but most recent research indicates that artificial sweeteners do not cause weight gain:
- A large review in the Canadian Medical Association Journal analyzed 37 studies on artificial sweeteners. It found no clear evidence that non-sugar sweeteners cause weight gain.
- A study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society tracked diet soda drinkers’ BMI over 9 years. It found diet soda drinkers did not have any increase in BMI versus non-diet soda drinkers.
- A 2010 study had participants supplement with aspartame in regards to appetite and food intake. It found aspartame had no effect on appetite or food intake.
While a few older, smaller studies have linked artificial sweeteners to increased appetite and weight gain, newer research with more rigorous methods have not found any clear link between non-sugar sweeteners and weight gain.
Current evidence indicates the near zero calorie sweeteners used in Sugarfree Red Bull are unlikely to promote weight gain.
Do sugar free drinks help with weight loss?
Sugar free drinks like Sugarfree Red Bull have minimal calories and carbs, so they are certainly lower calorie options than sugary beverages.
But does simply switching to sugar free drinks promote weight loss? Research indicates sugar free drinks alone don’t necessarily cause weight loss:
- In a 12 week study, overweight individuals were assigned to drink either sugar sweetened sodas or artificially sweetened sodas. Both groups had no difference in body weight at the end.
- A longer 2 year study had participants drinking either sugar sweetened beverages or artificially sweetened beverages. Again, their body weight over time was not significantly different between groups.
- A review in the Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine analyzed many studies on diet beverages and weight loss. It found that use of diet beverages alone does not appear to help weight loss.
So sugar free drinks like Sugarfree Red Bull can be useful as a low calorie alternative to sugary beverages. But simply switching to them without also addressing overall diet and exercise habits does not lead to weight loss.
To lose weight, Sugarfree Red Bull is best used as one component of creating a calorie deficit through healthy, lower calorie eating patterns and regular physical activity.
Should you drink sugar free Red Bull when dieting?
Sugar free Red Bull can be a reasonable choice when trying to lose weight or on a diet:
– It provides the energy, caffeine, and taste of regular Red Bull without the high calorie, sugar load.
– The near zero calories create room in your diet for more nutritious foods that can aid weight loss.
– Sugar free Red Bull gives variety and an energizing boost when avoiding sugary drinks.
However, there are a few considerations around relying too heavily on Sugarfree Red Bull when dieting:
– While it’s very low in calories, it provides minimal other nutrition. Focus instead on whole, nutrient-rich foods and drinks like vegetables, fruits, and water.
– Frequently consuming artificial sweeteners maintains a preference for sweeter flavors. It may be better to wean off sweet items altogether.
– Energy drinks with caffeine and other stimulants could create issues with energy crashes later. It may be better to get natural energy from your diet.
Overall, Sugarfree Red Bull can be an occasional, low calorie pick-me-up when you want the taste of Red Bull. But it shouldn’t become a dietary staple or only form of hydration. When dieting, opt for unsweetened, nourishing drinks like water, coffee, and tea most often.
Does sugar free Red Bull break a fast?
Intermittent fasting diets have become very popular for weight loss. This leads to the question – if you’re fasting for 16 hours a day, is it okay to drink Sugarfree Red Bull during the fasting period?
There is some debate around whether artificial sweeteners impact fasting. Here are a few considerations:
– Artificial sweeteners technically do not contain calories or carbohydrates, so they should not break your fast or prevent fat burning.
– However, even non-caloric sweeteners can elicit a hormonal response that stimulates insulin release, which could potentially disrupt the benefits of fasting for some people.
– Drinking low calorie sweetened beverages may make it harder to transition away from sweeter tastes and allow you to fully embrace unsweetened drinks.
– The caffeine and acids in energy drinks like Red Bull may further disrupt digestion and promote hunger.
Overall, having the occasional Sugarfree Red Bull during your fasting window is unlikely to sabotage your weight loss goals. But to maximize the benefits of intermittent fasting, its best to primarily opt for plain water, black coffee, and unsweetened teas.
Is sugar free Red Bull keto friendly?
The keto diet involves strictly limiting carbohydrate intake in order to reach a metabolic state of ketosis for fat burning.
Since Sugarfree Red Bull contains less than 1g net carbs per can, it can technically fit into a keto eating plan. However, here are some things keto dieters should consider:
– Artificial sweeteners may trigger cravings for sweets and a desire to snack, which could jeopardize ketosis.
– There are concerns that artificial sweeteners may disrupt gut bacteria linked to healthy metabolism and inflammation.
– As a processed food, Sugarfree Red Bull provides little nutritional value compared to whole foods emphasized on keto.
– Beverages like plain water and unsweetened tea better support hydration needs on keto.
While an occasional Sugarfree Red Bull won’t kick you out of ketosis, it is one of the more highly processed “junk foods” that are technically allowed on keto. Water, green tea, and black coffee are much healthier choices overall.
Does sugar free Red Bull have other downsides?
Aside from potential effects on weight, Sugarfree Red Bull does come with some other health considerations:
– Artificial sweeteners like aspartame remain controversial and may cause headaches or other side effects in sensitive individuals.
– There is concern that artificial sweeteners negatively alter gut bacteria linked to healthy metabolism and blood sugar regulation.
– The acidity of Red Bull may contribute to tooth enamel erosion over time.
– Excessive caffeine intake from energy drinks can cause jitters, anxiety, trouble sleeping, and faster heart rate.
– Sugarfree Red Bull provides none of the antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals found in whole foods and unsweetened beverages like fruit, vegetables, coffee, and tea.
For most people who consume them in moderation, sugar free energy drinks are not necessarily dangerous. But they are highly processed products that should be minimized in favor of healthier choices. Moderating caffeine intake and getting nutrients from whole foods is the optimal way to stay energized.
The bottom line
To sum up the key points on whether Sugarfree Red Bull causes weight gain:
– Sugarfree Red Bull is sweetened with artificial sweeteners instead of sugar, resulting in near zero calories and carbs.
– Current research suggests artificial sweeteners do not increase appetite, calorie intake, or lead to weight gain.
– Switching to sugar free drinks alone does not generally cause weight loss without also addressing diet and exercise.
– Sugarfree Red Bull can be an occasional low calorie choice when dieting or doing intermittent fasting. But it should not become a daily habit.
– While Sugarfree Red Bull won’t disrupt ketosis, whole foods and unsweetened drinks are healthier options on keto.
– Sugarfree Red Bull provides little nutritional value and contains controversial artificial sweeteners. Moderation is key.
So in conclusion, Sugarfree Red Bull is unlikely to directly cause weight gain due to the lack of calories and carbs. But it is still best consumed in moderation as part of an overall healthy and active lifestyle. When it comes to drinks, unsweetened options like water and tea are optimal choices for staying hydrated and energized without extra sweeteners or preservatives.
