It is no secret that regular Coke and Pepsi have sugar. However, many people wonder if there is a material difference in the sugar content between the two sodas.
Below we break down the amount of sugar in Coke versus Pepsi. We think readers will have a solid idea of the sugar in these sodas after finishing this article.
Sugar Content: Coke Vs Pepsi
The sugar content for Coke and Pepsi is reflected below for their popular serving sizes. All sugar is added to these sodas and is not from naturally occurring sources. Overall, Pepsi has a bit more sugar than Coke.
| Serving Size | Coke (Sugar) | Pepsi (Sugar) |
|---|---|---|
| 7.5 fl oz | 25g | 26g |
| 12 fl oz | 39g | 41g |
| 16.9 fl oz | 55g | 58g |
| 20 fl oz | 65g | 69g |
Sweeteners: Coke Vs Pepsi
Coke is sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) while Pepsi is sweetened with HFCS and sugar. While there is a belief that HFCS is worse for your health than sugar, sources such as Healthline indicate that the evidence shows that they are equal in their harmful effects when consuming an overabundance.
Here are the ingredients for Coke and Pepsi:
Coca-Cola Ingredients – Carbonated Water, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Caramel Color, Phosphoric Acid, Natural Flavors, Caffeine.
Pepsi Ingredients – Carbonated Water, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Caramel Color, Sugar, Phosphoric Acid, Caffeine, Citric Acid, Natural Flavors.
Both Coke and Pepsi also make colas that are only sweetened with sugar. Mexico-made Coca-Cola and Pepsi are examples. These colas can be found in the United States but they aren’t as readily available as the U.S. versions of the sodas. If your grocery store has an international foods section, that is where they may be found if not in the soda aisle.
SEE ALSO>>>How Much Sugar in Capri-Sun
Sugar Content Comparison
The table below shows the sugar content of Coke and Pepsi compared to other popular beverages of the same size. The serving size used for all beverages is 12 fluid ounces which is the standard can size for sodas in the United States.
| Beverage | Serving Size | Sugar (g) |
|---|---|---|
| Coke | 12 fl. oz. | 39g |
| Pepsi | 12 fl. oz. | 41g |
| Dr Pepper | 12 fl. oz. | 39g |
| Mtn Dew | 12 fl. oz. | 46g |
| Sprite | 12 fl. oz. | 38g |
| Fanta Orange | 12 fl. oz. | 44g |
| Red Bull | 12 fl. oz. | 39g |
Sources:
us.coca-cola.com
pepsicobeveragefacts.com