How Much Sugar Is in South Africa’s Most Popular Carbonated Drinks
- A closer look at nearly 40 fizzy drinks available in South Africa in 2026 has revealed just how much sugar is packed into some of the best-loved beverages
- Woolworths Passionade topped the list with 13.4 grams of sugar per 100 millilitres, while Coca-Cola's Sprite came in with the lowest
- South Africa introduced a sugar tax in 2018 to tackle rising obesity and diabetes rates
- Briefly News spoke to health expert Jayshri Rangasamy on why regularly drinking carbonated drinks that are high in sugar can be harmful to a person's health
Source: Getty Images
Fizzy drinks are a big part of South African social life, but many people may not realise just how much sugar they are drinking with every sip. An analysis of nearly 40 popular soft drinks available in South Africa in 2026 found a wide range of sugar content across different brands.
According to a report by BusinessTech, Woolworths Passionade came out on top with 13.4 grams of sugar per 100 millilitres. Appletiser's White Grapetiser came next at 12.5 grams and Red Grapetiser and Woolworths Ginger Beer both at 12.3 grams. At the other end of the scale, Coca-Cola's Sprite had the lowest sugar content on the list at 3.1 grams per 100 millilitres.
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Why should sugar in fizzy drinks be monitored?
South Africa has been dealing with serious obesity and diabetes concerns for years. By 2023, the World Health Organisation indicated that more than a quarter of South Africans were obese, and the country held the highest proportion of obese adults on the African continent as far back as 2022.
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Diabetes was recorded as the second biggest cause of death among South Africans in 2018, sitting just behind tuberculosis. These figures were a big part of why the government introduced the health promotion levy, more commonly known as the sugar tax, in 2018.
The tax applies to non-alcoholic drinks that contain more than 4 grams of sugar per 100 millilitres and adds around 10% to the cost per litre of those drinks.
The tax pushed many producers to cut the sugar in their products to avoid the extra cost, while also leading to higher retail prices for consumers. The impact seems to be working to some extent.
A 2022 study found that South Africans were already buying 29% fewer sugary drinks since the tax was introduced. However, not all brands have moved in the same direction. Sparletta Iron Brew actually increased its sugar content from 3.5 grams per 100 millilitres in 2023 to 8.4 grams per 100 millilitres in 2026.
SA fizzy drinks market
The South African soft drinks market is expected to grow to around R48.4 billion by 2034. Carbonated soft drinks hold the biggest share of the market and are expected to keep driving growth over the coming years.
Despite the sugar tax and growing awareness around health, the appetite for fizzy drinks in South Africa has not gone away.
Speaking to Briefly News writer Nerissa Naidoo, health expert Jayshri Rangasamy discussed why regularly drinking carbonated drinks that are high in sugar can be harmful to a person's health:
"Regularly consuming sugary fizzy drinks can contribute to weight gain, tooth decay, and an increased risk of conditions such as Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. These drinks are often high in calories but offer very little nutritional value. Over time, excessive sugar intake can have a negative impact on both children's and adults' overall health, which is why moderation is important."
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Briefly News also asked what healthier alternatives people can choose if they enjoy drinking fizzy beverages. Rangasamy explained:
“People do not have to give up enjoyable drinks completely, but they can make healthier choices. Water should always be the first option for hydration, while sparkling water with fresh fruit, diluted fruit juice, unsweetened iced tea, or lower-sugar alternatives can help satisfy cravings. The goal is not necessarily to eliminate treats altogether, but to reduce how often they are consumed and choose options with less added sugar whenever possible.”
Source: Getty Images
More on food and health stories
- Briefly News recently reported on a watchdog group that found a harmful chemical in South African foods, with two products testing above the legal limit.
- Two Nutricia baby formula products were pulled from South African shelves after fears over toxin contamination.
- A TikToker pointed out certain ingredients in Ricoffy that she linked to weight loss struggles.
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Source: Briefly News
Nerissa Naidoo (Human Interest Editor) Nerissa Naidoo is a writer and editor with seven years of experience. Currently, she is a human interest writer at Briefly News and joined the publication in 2024. She began her career contributing to Morning Lazziness and later joined Featherpen.org. As a TUW ghostwriter, she focused on non-fiction, while her editorial roles at National Today and Entail.ai honed her skills in content accuracy and expert-driven editing. You can reach her at nerissa.naidoo@briefly.co.za
Jayshri Rangasamy (Medical Scientist - Pharmacologist - Clinical Team Lead) Jayshri Rangasamy, Fortrea's Clinical Operations Delivery Leader, oversees the company's Clinical Team. She has extensive experience in both infectious diseases (tuberculosis, Ebola, COVID-19) and non-infectious diseases (cardiovascular, endocrinology, and gastroenterology), as well as oncology (lung cancer, hematologic malignancies). Rangasamy, who holds a MS and BS in Pharmacology and Human Physiology from the University of Pretoria, is an advocate for empathetic leadership. She's also a certified Latin and ballroom dancer.
