Soft drink, pepper type, diet
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
This is a zero-calorie, pepper-flavored diet soda, delivering a crisp, spicy-sweet kick without any sugar. Its taste is a bold, tangy blend of carbonated water, artificial sweeteners, and distinct pepper or spice notes, often with a slightly metallic or medicinal finish from the sweeteners. Nutritionally, it's essentially water with flavor, providing 2 kcal and negligible macronutrients per 100g.
Calorie split: 24% protein · 62% carbs · 14% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its unique, fiery flavor profile that stands out from standard colas or lemon-lime sodas, offering a satisfying, guilt-free indulgence. Its versatility makes it a popular mixer in cocktails or a refreshing standalone drink for those who enjoy spicy notes.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The artificial sweeteners (like aspartame or sucralose) can leave a bitter aftertaste for some and may cause digestive discomfort in sensitive individuals. It offers no nutritional benefit, and the carbonation can contribute to bloating. For those monitoring caffeine intake, some pepper-type sodas contain caffeine; always check the label.
Key benefits
- Virtually zero calories and sugar-free.
- Provides a flavorful, spicy alternative to plain water.
- Contains no fat, protein, or fiber.
- Can satisfy a craving for a bold, carbonated beverage.
- Offers a convenient, ready-to-drink option.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The 'pepper' in many diet pepper sodas refers to black pepper or a proprietary spice blend, not the chili pepper, aiming to create a complex, warming sensation.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 99.5 g |
| Energy | 2.0 kcal |
| Protein | 0.11 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.03 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 0.29 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 3.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.11 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 1.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 9.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 8.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 8.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.01 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.00 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.01 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.02 mg |
| Niacin | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.00 mg |
| Folate, total | 0.00 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 0.00 ug |
| Choline, total | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 12.0 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.00 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
FAQ
Is diet pepper soda actually spicy?
It typically has a mild, warming spice note from black pepper or extracts, not the intense heat of chili peppers. The sensation is more of a tangy, aromatic kick.
Does it contain caffeine?
Many pepper-type diet sodas do contain caffeine (around 35-45 mg per 12 oz can), but caffeine-free versions exist. Always check the nutrition label.
Can it be used in cooking?
Yes, it's often used as a tenderizing marinade for meats or as a base for glazes, where the carbonation and acidity help break down proteins and add flavor.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 0.02 kcal/g · 22% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 0.0 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 1.00 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.