Red Bull Energy & Sports Drinks#6 of 7 in categoryRating 1.7/5

Red Bull Energy Drink Sugar Free 250 ml

Red flags

No major red flags on the label.

Green flags

Green flag: Low sodium

Ingredients, decoded

11 listed

Water
Acidulant (Citric Acid)
Carbon Dioxide
Taurine (0.4%)
Acidity Regulators (Sodium Bicarbonate, Magnesium Carbonate)
Flavours (Natural and Artificial [Mixed Fruits flavour])
Natural Colour (Caramel)
Caffeine (30 mg/100 ml)
Sweeteners (Sucralose, Acesulfame K)
Thickener (Xanthan Gum)
Vitamins (Niacin, B6, B2, B12)

ConcernWorth watchingIn label order. Tap a highlighted one to learn more.

ED4

Nutrition per 100 ml

ENutritionDIngredients4Risk

VerdictVERY POOR

Energy3 kcal

Protein0 g

Carbohydrates0 g

Total sugars0 g

Total fat0 g

Sodium42 mg

Niacin2.4 mg

Vitamin B20.2 mg

Vitamin B60.4 mg

Vitamin B120.2 µg

Highlighted values exceed FSSAI and UK FSA front of pack thresholds.

Our take

CleanPlate review

Sugar-free energy drink built on two sweeteners

Red Bull Sugarfree is a carbonated energy drink of water, citric acid, taurine (0.4%), caffeine (30 mg per 100 ml), sucralose and acesulfame K, with natural and artificial fruit flavour, caramel colour, xanthan gum and added B vitamins (niacin, B6, B2 and B12). The can is 250 ml.

CleanPlate scores it ED4. The E for nutrition is low: almost no credited protein, fibre or micronutrients per 100 ml. Added vitamins earn no credit in this product type. The D for ingredients reflects mostly refined or industrial ingredients, with additives that cost points: sucralose, acesulfame potassium, flavouring and xanthan gum. The 4 for risk comes mainly from the combined load of sodium, sugar and fat. The caffeine statement sets a floor of 4 on this axis.

Claims vs reality

What the pack says, checked against the ingredient list and nutrition panel.

Product name
“SUGARFREE”
Be careful
Sugar is 0 g, but the drink is sweetened with sucralose and acesulfame K.
On the pack
“With Taurine”
Holds
Taurine is listed at 0.4%, or 400 mg per 100 ml.
On the pack
“Vitalizes body and mind”
Be careful
The pack gives no figure for this; the drink has 30 mg of caffeine per 100 ml and added B vitamins.

How ED4 breaks down

Each grade is scored on its own. Here are the label numbers behind each one, per 100 ml.

How we score →

01 Nutritional valueA to E

Very low nutrient density

Protein: 0 g
Fibre: Not declared
Vitamins and minerals: 4 declared
Energy: 3 kcal

Scored on protein, fibre and twelve vitamins and minerals, against the Codex and FSSAI "source" and "high" levels, per 100 g and per 100 kcal.

02 Ingredient & label integrityA to E

Heavily processed or flagged substances

Base: Water
Sweeteners: Sweeteners
Additives: 2
Flagged: None
Artificial flavour or colour: Yes

Scored on how processed the ingredients are, which additives are used and why, and whether the label keeps its promises.

03 Risk nutrients1 to 5

High risk

Total sugar: 0 g
Sodium: 42 mg

Scored on free sugar, sodium, saturated fat and trans fat, each weighed by how strong the evidence of harm is.

A closer look

Does the label add up?

Water, citric acid, carbon dioxide, taurine (0.4%), acidity regulators (sodium bicarbonate, magnesium carbonate), natural and artificial mixed-fruit flavour, caramel colour, caffeine (30 mg per 100 ml), sucralose, acesulfame K, xanthan gum and vitamins (niacin, B6, B2, B12).

Per 100 ml: 3 kcal, 0 g fat, 0 g sugar, 0 g protein, 42 mg sodium. The energy unit prints blurred on the pack card and is read as kcal. The panel has no added-sugar line, so the score is provisional.

Ingredients to watch

Two artificial sweetenersWorth watching
Sucralose and acesulfame K together cost 7 points on the additive scale.
CaffeineWorth watching
30 mg per 100 ml, 75 mg in a 250 ml can.
Missing panel lineWorth watching
No added-sugar line, which FSSAI requires.
EnergyFine
3 kcal per 100 ml and no sugar, fat or protein.

Common misconceptions

Myth: "Sugar-free means healthy"

It removes sugar and calories, but the drink adds sweeteners and caffeine and gives no nutrition.

Myth: "Taurine is what wakes you up"

The 75 mg of caffeine in a can does that; taurine is 400 mg per 100 ml of the drink.

How often, and how

Healthy adultsRarely
ChildrenRarely
Diabetes or prediabetesLimit strictly

Smarter ways to eat it

Not every day

Keep it as an occasional pick-me-up, not a daily drink.

Plain alternatives

Black coffee or cold tea give caffeine with fewer additives.

Common questions

Is Red Bull Energy Drink Sugar Free 250 ml healthy?

Red Bull Energy Drink Sugar Free 250 ml scores ED4 (Very Poor) on CleanPlate, which makes it one of the weakest products we've rated and worth swapping out. We found no major red flags on its label. On the plus side: Low sodium.

What does the ED4 score mean?

The first letter (E) grades nutritional value: very low nutrient density. The second letter (D) grades ingredient and label integrity: heavily processed or flagged substances. The number (4) grades risk nutrients (sugar, sodium, saturated fat): high risk.

Last reviewed October 11, 2026. Scored with the CleanPlate method from the published label.

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