Soft drinks don’t exactly scream “healthy,” and Fanta and Sprite are no exception. But if you’re craving something fizzy and refreshing, is one better than the other?
To settle the debate, I took a closer look at their ingredients and nutritional values. Here’s what I found.
Quick Answer: Neither Fanta nor Sprite is truly healthy—they’re both sugary soft drinks with artificial sweeteners. However, Sprite is slightly better since it contains less sugar and fewer calories. Still, both should be enjoyed sparingly.
What’s Exactly Inside Fanta and Sprite?
When it comes to ingredients, both Fanta and Sprite have a lot in common, but there are some differences too. Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Drink | Ingredients |
| Fanta | Carbonated Water, Sugar, Orange Juice from Concentrate (3.7%), Citrus Fruit from Concentrate (1.3%), Citric Acid, Vegetable Extracts (Carrot, Pumpkin), Sweeteners (Acesulfame K, Sucralose), Preservative (Potassium Sorbate), Malic Acid, Acidity Regulator (Sodium Citrate), Stabiliser (Guar Gum), Natural Orange Flavourings with Other Natural Flavourings, Antioxidant (Ascorbic Acid). |
| Sprite | Carbonated Water, Sugar, Citric Acid, Sweeteners (Acesulfame K, Aspartame), Acidity Regulator (Sodium Citrate), Natural Lemon and Lime Flavourings. |
Similarities Between Fanta and Sprite
- Carbonated Water & Sugar: The base for both drinks, giving them their fizz and sweetness.
- Artificial Sweeteners: Fanta uses Acesulfame K and Sucralose, while Sprite uses Acesulfame K and Aspartame. These sweeteners reduce sugar content but come with potential health concerns, like altering gut bacteria.
- Citric Acid: Found in both drinks, citric acid enhances the flavour and also acts as a mild preservative.
- Natural Flavourings: Fanta leans on orange flavours, while Sprite uses lemon and lime.
- Acidity regulator Sodium Citrate is found in both drinks.
What Sets Them Apart
- Juices in Fanta: Fanta contains small amounts of orange and citrus juices from concentrate (3.7% and 1.3%, respectively), as well as vegetable extracts (carrot and pumpkin) for added flavour and colour.
- Preservatives: Fanta contains Potassium Sorbate to extend its shelf life, something Sprite doesn’t include.
- Stabiliser & Antioxidant in Fanta: Fanta adds guar gum and ascorbic acid, which Sprite skips.
The Concerning Ingredients
The most concerning ingredients in both drinks are:
- Sugar: Excessive sugar consumption is linked to weight gain and other health problems.
- Artificial Sweeteners: These can alter gut bacteria and may have other potential drawbacks despite lowering the calorie count.
The Bottom Line
Fanta’s ingredient list is longer, with added juices, vegetable extracts, and preservatives. Sprite’s recipe is simpler, but both drinks contain sugar, artificial sweeteners, and citric acid, making it tough to call either one “healthy.”
Fanta vs Sprite: Nutritional Breakdown
When comparing Fanta and Sprite, their nutritional profiles give us more insight into which drink might be the better choice. Here’s how they stack up per 100ml:
What Do the Numbers Tell Us?
- Calories: Sprite is slightly lower in calories, with 14kcal per 100ml compared to Fanta’s 19kcal.
- Sugar: Sprite contains 3.3g of sugar per 100ml, while Fanta has 4.6g, making Sprite the less sugary option.
- Salt: Neither drink is a significant source of salt, but Sprite contains a trace amount (0.01g per 100ml).
- Fat and Proteins: Neither Fanta nor Sprite contains any fat or protein, so there’s no contribution to these macros.
Fanta vs Sprite: Sugar Content
Let’s take a closer look at the sugar content:
- Fanta: Contains more than one teaspoon of sugar per 100ml. If you drink 200ml of Fanta, you’ll consume over two teaspoons of sugar.
- Sprite: Slightly less sugary, with just under a teaspoon of sugar per 100ml.
For perspective, both drinks are lower in sugar than Coke, which has about 2.5 teaspoons of sugar per 100ml. While neither Fanta nor Sprite is excessively sugary compared to some soft drinks, their sugar content is still significant if consumed frequently.
Which is Healthier: Fanta or Sprite?
Neither Fanta nor Sprite can be considered truly healthy—they’re both sugary soft drinks with artificial sweeteners and little to no nutritional value. However, if you’re choosing between the two, Sprite has a slight edge due to its lower sugar and calorie content.
Fanta contains slightly more sugar and calories, along with a longer ingredient list that includes preservatives and added juices. Sprite, on the other hand, keeps it simpler but still relies on artificial sweeteners like Aspartame, which come with their own concerns.
In the end, while Sprite is the better choice of the two, it’s still a soft drink. Both are best enjoyed occasionally as a treat, not as a regular part of your diet.