Sparkling Water vs Cola: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Sparkling water has 0 calories and 0 g of protein, while cola has 42 calories and 0 g of protein. Both drinks contain no fat or fiber.

This comparison examines the nutritional differences between sparkling water and cola. Understanding these differences can help consumers make informed beverage choices.

What Is the Difference Between Sparkling Water and Cola?

Sparkling water is carbonated water that contains no calories, sugars, or other nutrients. It is often consumed as a refreshing alternative to sugary drinks. Cola is a carbonated soft drink that typically contains sugar and calories. It is known for its sweet flavor and is widely consumed around the world.

Sparkling Water vs Cola: Nutrition Side by Side

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the nutritional content of sparkling water and cola.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Sparkling water	Cola (regular)
Calories	0 kcal	42 kcal
Protein	0 g	0 g
Carbs	0 g	10.4 g
Sugar	0 g	9.9 g
Fat	0 g	0 g
Fiber	0 g	0 g
Sodium	4 mg	3 mg

Which Is Better, Sparkling Water or Cola?

For weight loss: Sparkling water is a better option for weight loss, containing 0 calories compared to cola's 42 calories.

For muscle and protein: Both sparkling water and cola contain 0 g of protein, making them unsuitable for muscle building.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Sparkling water contains 0 g of carbs and 0 g of sugar, while cola has 10.4 g of carbs and 9.9 g of sugar.

How to Track Sparkling water and Cola Accurately

It's easy to misjudge portion sizes and macros, especially with beverages that may seem low in calories. 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 healthcare professional for dietary guidance. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein, sparkling water or cola?

Both sparkling water and cola contain 0 g of protein.

Which has fewer calories, sparkling water or cola?

Sparkling water has 0 calories, while cola has 42 calories.

What is the sugar content in cola?

Cola contains 9.9 g of sugar per 100 g.

How much sodium is in sparkling water?

Sparkling water contains 4 mg of sodium per 100 g.

What are the carbohydrate levels in sparkling water?

Sparkling water contains 0 g of carbohydrates per 100 g.

What is the sodium content in cola?

Cola contains 3 mg of sodium per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

• Sparkling water has 0 calories per 100 g.
• Cola has 42 calories per 100 g.
• Both beverages contain 0 g of protein.
• Sparkling water has 0 g of sugar.
• Cola has 9.9 g of sugar per 100 g.
• Sparkling water contains 4 mg of sodium, while cola contains 3 mg.