Is there sugar in 4 Loko?

Yes, 4 Loko does contain sugar. The caffeinated alcoholic beverage is known for its sweet flavor, which comes from added sugars like high fructose corn syrup, sucrose, and glucose. The high sugar content makes 4 Loko taste more like a soda than a typical malt beverage.

What is 4 Loko?

4 Loko, also known as Four Loko, is a line of caffeinated alcoholic beverages originally made by Phusion Projects. It debuted in 2005 and was initially marketed as an “energy drink” with 12% alcohol content. The name “4 Loko” comes from the fact that the original formulation contained 4 key ingredients:

• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Taurine
• Guarana

However, the formulation has changed over the years due to FDA restrictions on caffeinated alcoholic drinks. 4 Loko no longer contains caffeine, taurine, or guarana. The current formulation is 12% alcohol and comes in a variety of fruity flavors including watermelon, lemonade, mango, blue razz, peach, and green apple.

4 Loko Nutrition Facts

Here are the nutrition facts for one 12 oz can of 4 Loko, as reported by the manufacturer:

Serving Size	12 oz (1 can)
Calories	280
Carbohydrates	46 g
Sugars	40 g

As you can see, a single can of 4 Loko contains 280 calories and 46 grams of carbohydrates, 40 of which are from sugars. So in a 12 oz serving, sugar accounts for a whopping 14% of the total calories.

Sugar Content per Ounce

Doing some quick math shows us that there are approximately 3.3 grams of sugar per ounce of 4 Loko:

• 12 oz per can
• 40 g of sugar per can
• 40 g sugar / 12 oz = 3.3 g sugar per oz

To put that in perspective, here’s how the sugar content of 4 Loko compares to other popular beverages per ounce:

Beverage	Grams of Sugar per Ounce
4 Loko	3.3 g
Coca-Cola	0.92 g
Gatorade	0.83 g
Red Bull	0.60 g

4 Loko has about 3-4 times as much sugar per ounce as these other beverages. The combination of alcohol and very high sugar content gives it an uniquely sweet, fruity taste.

4 Loko Ingredients

So what kinds of sugars are found in 4 Loko exactly? Here are the key sweeteners used:

High Fructose Corn Syrup

High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is one of the main sweeteners used in 4 Loko. It is a liquid sweetener made from corn starch that has had some of its glucose converted to fructose. The higher fructose content makes HFCS sweeter than regular corn syrup.

HFCS comes in two main formulations:

• HFCS 42 – contains 42% fructose
• HFCS 55 – contains 55% fructose

4 Loko likely uses HFCS 55 to sweeten its flavors. HFCS has properties that make it advantageous for use in processed foods and beverages:

• Sweetness – HFCS 55 is similar in sweetness to table sugar (sucrose) despite having less fructose content (55% vs 50%).
• Solubility – HFCS mixes easily into beverages at a molecular level.
• Preservation – HFCS does not crystallize and helps foods retain moisture.
• Cost – High fructose corn syrup is cheaper than cane sugar in the US.

Sucrose

Table sugar, also known as sucrose, is also added to 4 Loko. Sucrose is a disaccharide made up of 50% glucose and 50% fructose bonded together. It offers a clean, sweet taste that balances well with the other ingredients.

Glucose

Glucose is a simple sugar (monosaccharide) that occurs naturally in fruits and vegetables. Often called dextrose, glucose has a milder sweetness compared to fructose. A little glucose helps round out the sweetness profile and mouthfeel of 4 Loko.

Is the Sugar Bad for You?

The high amounts of added sugars in 4 Loko raises the question – is all that sugar bad for your health?

There are a few areas of concern:

Empty Calories

The major downside to the sugar in 4 Loko is that it provides empty calories or “nutritionally vacant” calories. Each gram of sugar contains 4 calories, but no essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber, or healthy fats. This can promote weight gain and obesity if consumed in excess.

Blood Sugar Spikes

The large dose of simple sugars in 4 Loko causes blood glucose (blood sugar) levels to spike rapidly. This triggers a surge of insulin to take the sugar out of the bloodstream. Over time this rollercoaster effect can lead to insulin resistance.

Fatty Liver Disease

Research has linked excess sugar consumption to an increased risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The high sugar content of 4 Loko may compound this risk when combined with alcohol.

Addiction

The sweet taste of 4 Loko comes from the same types of sugars found in junk foods designed to be irresistible. This can activate the reward centers in the brain and reinforce addictive behaviors.

Should You Avoid 4 Loko?

The FDA’s warning about the dangers of combining caffeine and alcohol led to 4 Loko being reformulated without caffeine. However, the drink continues to have questionable health effects due to its very high sugar content in addition to being 12% alcohol.

Here are some things to keep in mind about 4 Loko’s risks:

• Each can contains 2-3x the sugar of a regular beer or cocktail.
• Easy to drink high amounts quickly due to sweet taste masking alcohol.
• Associated with increased binge drinking, especially among underage drinkers.
• Has more alcohol per volume than beer – can cause faster intoxication.
• High sugar exacerbates dehydration caused by the diuretic effect of alcohol.

Because of these concerns, health agencies often recommend avoiding or limiting consumption of 4 Loko and other sugary alcoholic drinks. For those who choose to drink it anyway, moderation is advised.

Healthier Alternatives

If you want to avoid the empty calories and potential health risks of 4 Loko’s added sugars, here are some lower sugar options to consider:

Light Beer

Most light beers have around 5 grams of carbs and sugars or less per serving, compared to around 40 grams in 4 Loko.

Wine or Champagne

One glass of wine or champagne typically contains under 5 grams of sugar, but be mindful of serving sizes.

Distilled Spirits

Spirits like vodka, gin, rum, and whiskey have no carbs or sugar unless added after distillation.

Low-Calorie Mixers

Cut back on sugary sodas, juices, and simple syrups in cocktails. Try sparkling water, diet soda, or unsweetened tea instead.

Dilute with Water

For canned drinks like 4 Loko, pour over ice and mix with water to dilute the sugar content per serving.

The Bottom Line

4 Loko contains significant amounts of added sugars like high fructose corn syrup, sucrose, and glucose. A 12 oz can has around 40 grams of sugar – over 3x more than most regular beers or sodas. The high sugar content gives 4 Loko a sweet, fruity taste. However, the empty calories and quick sugar spike pose potential health risks and can promote overconsumption of alcohol.

While an occasional 4 Loko may be fine for some people, health agencies recommend limiting intake of sugary alcoholic drinks. Choosing light beer, wine, spirits, or low-calorie mixers are some ways to moderate sugar intake if choosing to drink. Ultimately it’s about being an informed, health-conscious consumer and enjoying alcohol responsibly.