Muscle Gain Soda or Sugar Trap

Reading the label on Variety Pack A New Kind of Soda, the first thing that hits is the sugar content: just 1g per 100g. That's practically water compared to most cans. The ingredient list is a botanical blend—cassava root fiber, nopal cactus, marshmallow root—which suggests a very different mouthfeel, maybe a touch earthy or fibrous rather than crisp. If you're packing a lunch for the kids and want something that feels like a treat without the sugar rush, this could fit. The trade-off? That fiber blend might feel a bit thick or gritty to some palates, and the flavor profile seems more functional than indulgent. It's a clean slate, but not necessarily a flavor explosion.

Coffee mate Dirty Soda Coconut Lime lists 33g of sugar per 100g, which is a significant amount. The ingredients include soybean oil, mono- and diglycerides, and carrageenan—common in creamers to create a smooth, rich texture. You can expect a sweet, creamy mouthfeel with a hint of coconut lime, likely more dessert-like than refreshing. It might be a nice indulgence for an afternoon coffee break, but that sugar load is substantial. The trade-off is the oil and stabilizer content, which some people may prefer to avoid. It's a treat, not a daily hydration choice, and the texture could feel a bit heavy if you're expecting a light soda.

Naturally flavored soda shows 10g of sugar per 100g, which is moderate. The sweetener is high fructose corn syrup, and there's citric acid plus potassium citrate for tartness and balance. Calcium disodium EDTA is there to protect flavor, which is standard. You might taste a crisp, bright profile with a clean finish, but the HFCS can leave a slightly syrupy note for some. This could be a decent fridge staple for casual sipping, maybe paired with a sandwich at lunch. The trade-off is the HFCS and preservative, which may not align with everyone's preferences. It's not overly sweet, but it's not entirely ‘natural' either.

Grapefruit Soda lists 1g of sugar per 100g and a score of 9.9, which is impressive. The ingredients are listed as ‘updating,' so we can't see the full profile, but that sugar number suggests a very light, possibly stevia- or erythritol-sweetened base. Expect a tart, bitter grapefruit punch with minimal sweetness—very refreshing but maybe sharp for some. This would be a great gym bag cooler, something crisp after a workout without the sugar crash. The trade-off is the uncertainty around the sweetener and flavor system; if you're sensitive to alternative sweeteners, the taste might not land perfectly. It's a clean choice, but the flavor could be polarizing.

Colombiana - Kola Soda shows 4g of sugar per 100g and a strong 9.6 score. The ingredients are still updating, so we don't have the full list, but that sugar level is notably low for a cola. You might expect a classic kola flavor—caramel, spice, maybe a hint of citrus—without the heavy sweetness of mainstream brands. This could be a nice late-night soda when you want flavor without the sugar rush. The trade-off is the lack of full ingredient transparency; if you're avoiding certain preservatives or sweeteners, you'll need to wait for the update. It's a promising option, but the mystery ingredient list is a caution.