Root Beer vs Cola: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Root beer has 41 calories and 0 g of protein, while cola has 42 calories and 0 g of protein. Both drinks are low in fat and fiber.

Root beer and cola are two widely consumed carbonated beverages that differ in flavor and nutritional content. This comparison will highlight their respective calorie counts, sugar levels, and other nutritional aspects.

What Is the Difference Between Root Beer and Cola?

Root beer is a sweet, carbonated soft drink traditionally flavored with sassafras or sarsaparilla. It is caffeine-free and often enjoyed as a nostalgic beverage. Cola is a carbonated soft drink flavored with a blend of spices and sweeteners, typically containing caffeine. It is one of the most popular soft drinks worldwide.

Root Beer vs Cola: Nutrition Side by Side

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the nutritional values of root beer and cola.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Root beer	Cola (regular)
Calories	41 kcal	42 kcal
Protein	0 g	0 g
Carbs	10.6 g	10.4 g
Sugar	10.6 g	9.9 g
Fat	0 g	0 g
Fiber	0 g	0 g
Sodium	13 mg	3 mg

Which Is Better, Root Beer or Cola?

For weight loss: Root beer has 41 calories, while cola has 42 calories, making root beer slightly lower in calories.

For muscle and protein: Both root beer and cola contain 0 g of protein, so neither is beneficial for muscle gain.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Root beer has 10.6 g of carbs and 10.6 g of sugar, while cola has 10.4 g of carbs and 9.9 g of sugar, making cola slightly lower in both.

How to Track Root beer and Cola Accurately

Many people overlook the calorie and sugar content in soft drinks, leading to misjudgments in portion sizes. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies foods from a photo and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports barcode scanning and voice logging. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

How We Compiled These Numbers

The numbers provided are rounded reference values for educational use and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a professional for dietary guidance. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein?

Both root beer and cola contain 0 g of protein.

Which has fewer calories?

Root beer has 41 calories, while cola has 42 calories.

What is the sugar content in root beer?

Root beer contains 10.6 g of sugar per 100 g.

What is the sugar content in cola?

Cola contains 9.9 g of sugar per 100 g.

How many carbs are in root beer?

Root beer has 10.6 g of carbs per 100 g.

How many carbs are in cola?

Cola has 10.4 g of carbs per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

• Root beer has 41 calories per 100 g.
• Cola has 42 calories per 100 g.
• Both beverages contain 0 g of protein.
• Root beer has 10.6 g of sugar per 100 g.
• Cola has 9.9 g of sugar per 100 g.
• Root beer has 10.6 g of carbs per 100 g.