Dr Pepper is one of the most popular soda brands of all time , surpassing soda rival Pepsi as the second-highest consumed soda in the United States in June 2024. As sweet as the carbonated beverage is, not all Dr Pepper drinkers want a mouthful of sugar each time they take a sip. Luckily, there are multiple sugar-free options for Dr Pepper drinkers to enjoy, including a diet and zero sugar formula.
But is there a difference between Diet Dr Pepper and Dr Pepper Zero Sugar? Both beverages contain zero calories, zero real sugar, and the distinct 23 flavors that make Dr Pepper the iconic beverage it is. The difference between the two is all in the sweeteners. Diet Dr Pepper uses an artificial sweetener called aspartame, while the Zero Sugar option uses both aspartame and another flavoring called acesulfame potassium.
This mixture of sweeteners provides Dr Pepper Zero Sugar with a more syrupy flavor. Is there a major taste difference between Diet and Zero Sugar Dr Pepper? The artificial sweeteners used in both Diet and Zero Sugar sodas work by signaling the sweet-taste receptors on your tongue, tricking your brain into thinking you are consuming something with sugar. The artificial sweetener food molecules are programmed to be similar enough to taste like sugar while being different enough so that your body doesn't break the sweetener down into calories.
If both sugar-free Dr Peppers use artificial sweeteners, is there really a difference in taste? While artificial sweeteners like.
