Sugar-free energy drinks are a popular option for those who are trying to prevent weight gain. The intake of these drinks is safe if consumed at a moderate level.

A regular energy drink has 100-200 calories, whereas most sugar-free energy drinks contain only 10-20 calories per can of 16 fl oz.

Is Sugar-Free Energy Drink Bad For Weight Loss?

Although Sugar-free energy drinks are low in calories, they have less nutritional value and are high in calories that can adversely affect weight loss. It contains an average of 12 calories per serving since they have artificial sweeteners in it. The caffeine content is up to 240 mg per bottle.

Sweetener and caffeine contents possess some health risks if these drinks are consumed in excess amounts. This sugary content forces the body to expect more calories as fat than energy. It makes you eat more and result in overeating.

They induce insulin response and it fails the ability to digest fat and causes weight gain.

These drinks contain also contain ingredients like guarana, taurine, and B vitamins that stimulate energy. 

But when you consume three cans of energy drink per day, your caffeine intake will be up to 500 mg which is more than drinking cups of coffee.

SUGAR-FREE DRINK	CALORIE	CAFFEINE
Bang Star	0	300 mg
Zevia	0	120 mg
Xyience Cherry Lime	20	160 mg
Marquis	0	100 mg

Reasons Why Sugar Free Drinks Cause Weight Gain

When the body is ready to produce insulin after artificial sugar intake, no sugar would be produced which can cause metabolic imbalance and result in an increased craving for sweets. It makes you feel hungry and cause weight gain.

The insulin levels go up and it will lock body fat which makes it difficult to burn fat. The increased craving for sugar would force you to consume more calories than carbohydrates.

The ingredients like Potassium Benzoate and Sucralose are the main factors that stimulate your appetite and promote fat storage and weight gain.

Some of the sugar-free energy drinks and their artificial sweetener contents are mentioned below.

DRINK	OUNCE	SWEETENERS	CAFFEINE
Bang Energy	16	Sucralose	300 mg
3D Energy Drink	16	Erythritol, Sucralose, Ace-K	200 mg
C4 Ultimate	16	Erythritol, Ace-K	300 mg
Hyde Xtreme	12	Sucralose	400 mg

A high level of erythritol content in these drinks also causes weight gain. It also contains a variety of vitamins like B12, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, and amino acids. 

The over intake of artificial sweeteners can cause blood pressure and type 2 diabetes as they contain sweetener agents like aspartame and sucralose. It also causes bloating, headache, mood swings, insomnia, and anxiety attacks.

For example, Monster drinks contain high levels of chemical supplements like Taurine and Carnitine which may cause nausea and muscle cramps.

If you drink it at a moderate level, it is perfectly safe. With a balanced diet and exercise, low consumption of energy drinks does not possess many health risks.

Consuming up to 300 mg of caffeine in energy drinks is considered safe for a healthy adult.

Related: Does Bang Help You Lose Weight?

How Much Weight Gain from Daily Consumption

Although you can lose fat when you drink diet drinks, a maximum of 2 pounds can be gained in a month when you consume 2 or more sugar-free drinks per day. It can easily lead to obesity-related problems. 

Since energy drinks are rich in carbon dioxide and several added substances, their regular consumption may affect metabolism and thus makes your weight increase.

Overconsumption of sugar-free drinks can lead to obesity-related health problems and damage to internal organs.

Recommended Amount of Sugar-Free Drink (Daily & Weekly)

A healthy person can consume 1 or 2 cans of sugar-free energy drinks and you could not exceed this limit as they cause cardio diseases and diabetic issues. When compared to regular energy drinks, sugar-free drinks contain a relatively low amount of caffeine. 

For example, regular Red Bull contains 111mg of caffeine while sugar-free Red Bull has only 80 mg of caffeine. 

On a weekly basis, you can take a maximum of 5 to 6 drinks of an 8-ounce bottle is considered safe.  

An acceptable daily intake of 50 mg of aspartame for each pound of body weight is a low-carb diet. A person of 135 pounds can consume 2700 mg of aspartame per day.

SUGAR-FREE DRINK	CALORIE	CAFFEINE
Monster Energy Zero Ultra	10	140 mg
Red Bull	10	80 mg
Hiball Energy Vanilla Seltzer	0	160mg
Aspire Mango Lemonade	0	80 mg
Zipfizz	20	100 mg

How to Quit Sugar-Free Energy Drinks

The excess intake of energy drinks addiction can be tapered by slowly reducing the consumption amount and then stopping it completely. This methodical approach will help you overcome the withdrawal symptoms such as headache, fatigue, and depression.

You can also track down the calories when you reduce your drink intake. The energy drink can be diluted with water which can help you to increase hydration. 

Trying to get proper sleep is also helpful to tackle the addiction as insufficient sleep may result in a lack of energy.

Another way to get over and manage this condition is to engage in stress-relieving activities like workouts, yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises. This way you can distance yourself or shift the thought process of the overconsumption of energy drinks.

The benefits of stopping these drinks include weight loss, stable blood sugar levels, adequate sleep, and the ability to concentrate.

Better Alternatives For Weight Loss Results

The healthier alternatives that are free from caffeine and artificial sweeteners can be included in your diet. Some of them are green tea, protein drinks, fruit-infused water, sparkling water, or smoothies.

For example, in Monster drink, Taurine is the active ingredient that is highly processed and added to it. Instead of that, you can switch to healthy dairy products like cow’s milk.

ENERGY DRINK	ACTIVE INGREDIENT	ALTERNATIVE
Red Bull	Caffeine	Unsweetened Matcha
Monster	Taurine	Milk or Dairy Products
5 Hour Energy	B Vitamins	Green Juice
Guru	Guarana	Steaz Green Tea