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What are the best energy drinks without artificial sweeteners?
The best energy drinks free of sucralose and aspartame use natural sweeteners like fruit juice, monk fruit, or stevia, combined with clean caffeine sources. Here are our top 5 picks for 2026:
- Proper Wild Energy Shots (best overall; organic caffeine + L-theanine, sweetened with natural fruit juice)
- CELSIUS Essentials (green tea caffeine + biotin, stevia-sweetened)
- Guayaki Yerba Mate (organic yerba mate, naturally sweetened)
- RUNA Clean Energy (guayusa leaf caffeine, low sugar from organic cane juice)
- Sambazon Acai Energy (acai-based, naturally sweetened)
Why avoid sucralose and aspartame in energy drinks?
Sucralose is 600 times sweeter than table sugar. While the FDA considers it safe, growing research has raised concerns. A 2023 study published in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health found that sucralose-6-acetate, a compound produced when sucralose is metabolized, is genotoxic, meaning it can damage DNA. Sucralose has also been shown to reduce beneficial gut bacteria by up to 50% according to research in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health.
Aspartame has faced scrutiny since its approval in 1981. In 2023, the WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer classified aspartame as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" (Group 2B). While this does not mean aspartame definitely causes cancer, it signals that more research is warranted.
Both sweeteners can trigger insulin responses despite having zero calories, and may increase sweet cravings over time.
Detailed comparison of 5 best energy drinks without Sucralose or Asparatame
| Product | Caffeine (mg) | Caffeine source | Sweetener | Sugar | L-theanine | Price per serving |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proper Wild | 100mg | Organic green tea | Fruit juice | 3g added | 120mg | ~$2.40 |
| CELSIUS Essentials | 270mg | Green tea extract | Stevia | 0g | None | ~$2.50 |
| Guayaki Yerba Mate | 150mg | Yerba mate | Organic cane sugar | 14g | None | ~$3.00 |
| RUNA Clean Energy | 150mg | Guayusa leaf | Organic cane juice | 10g | None | ~$2.75 |
| Sambazon Acai | 80mg | Green coffee bean | Organic sugar and Stevia | 14g | None | ~$3.50 |
Why we chose these products
1. Proper Wild energy shots: best overall
Proper Wild stands out for three reasons. First, it pairs caffeine with 120mg of L-theanine, the only product on this list with a clinically effective dose of this focus-enhancing amino acid. Second, it uses organic caffeine from green tea, which provides a smoother energy curve than synthetic caffeine. Third, it achieves great taste using natural fruit juice with zero added sugar and no artificial anything.
The 2.5-ounce shot format is more portable than a 16-ounce can and TSA-approved for travel. Give them a try and see what you think.
Plus they have delicious Clean Energy Gummies that taste like fruit snacks and provide the same functional benefits.
2. CELSIUS Essentials
CELSIUS uses caffeine from green tea extract at a higher dose (270mg). It is sweetened with stevia rather than sucralose or aspartame. The trade-off is the high caffeine content, which approaches the FDA's single-dose limit, and the lack of L-theanine to buffer jitters.
3. Guayaki Yerba Mate
Yerba mate provides caffeine alongside naturally occurring theobromine and polyphenols. Guayaki's product is organic and Fair Trade certified. The downside is 14 grams of sugar per can.
4. RUNA Clean Energy
RUNA uses guayusa leaf, an Amazonian plant rich in caffeine and antioxidants. The ingredient list is short and clean, though it contains 10 grams of sugar from organic cane juice.
5. Sambazon Acai Energy
Sambazon's acai-based energy drink provides antioxidants alongside 80mg of caffeine from green coffee bean. At 14 grams of sugar and the lowest caffeine content on this list, it is best suited for those who want a mild energy boost with nutritional benefits. They also use Stevia as a sweetener which can cause unpleasant side effects for a subset of consumers.
What to look for in a clean energy drink
When evaluating energy drinks without artificial sweeteners, prioritize these factors:
Caffeine source: Organic caffeine from green tea or coffee beans is preferable to synthetic caffeine. Check the ingredients label for specificity.
L-theanine content: The combination of caffeine and L-theanine produces better focus with fewer side effects than caffeine alone. Look for at least 100mg of L-theanine per serving.
Sugar content: Low added sugar is ideal. If the product contains sugar, it should come from natural sources (fruit juice, organic cane sugar) and stay under 15 grams per serving.
Ingredient transparency: Short ingredient lists with recognizable components indicate a cleaner product.
Frequently asked questions
Is stevia better than sucralose?
Stevia is a plant-derived sweetener that has not shown the same genotoxicity or gut microbiome disruption concerns as sucralose. Some people find stevia has a bitter aftertaste. It is considered a safer alternative to artificial sweeteners, though long-term research is still limited.
Do energy drinks without artificial sweeteners taste good?
Yes. Products sweetened with fruit juice (like Proper Wild) or small amounts of organic sugar provide pleasant sweetness without the chemical aftertaste some people notice with sucralose. Taste is subjective, but consumer reviews for the products on this list consistently rate flavor highly.
Are "natural" energy drinks healthier?
A natural ingredient list does not automatically make a product healthy. Some natural energy drinks contain excessive sugar or high caffeine doses. The healthiest options combine moderate caffeine (100 to 200mg), L-theanine, minimal sugar, and no artificial ingredients.
In Summary
Given the growing awareness of the dangers of artificial sweeteners, more and more energy drink companies are steering clear of them. As consumers, it’s great to have accessible options but there are a variety of factors to consider when choosing the one that is right for you.
Hopefully this list helps you decide and if you’re still not sure, give Proper Wild’s Clean Energy Shots a try. Their strong L-theanine content (for reduced jitters and crash) and convenient size pushed them over the top to #1 on this list.
Sources: Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health (sucralose studies), WHO IARC (aspartame classification), FDA (sweetener safety assessments)
