Orange juice vs sugar-free energy drink: which is healthier?

They are about equally nutrient-dense: orange juice scores 82/100 and sugar-free energy drink 83/100, so pick by your goal. Both can be part of a healthy diet; the table below shows where each one is stronger. Source: USDA FoodData Central.

Orange juice

82/100Excellent nutrient density

45 kcal per 100 g. 1 cup (240 ml): 248 g

Sugar-free energy drink

83/100Excellent nutrient density

4 kcal per 100 g. 1 can (250 ml): 260 g

Which to pick for your goal

Fewer caloriesSugar-free energy drink45 vs 4 kcal per 100 g
More proteinAbout even0.7 vs 0.4 g per 100 g
More fiberAbout even0.2 vs 0 g per 100 g
Less sugarSugar-free energy drink8.4 vs 0 g per 100 g
More potassiumOrange juice200 vs 0 mg per 100 g
Less saturated fatAbout even<0.1 vs 0 g per 100 g

Nutrition side by side

Per 100 g and per typical portion. Bold marks the better value for each row.
Nutrient	Orange juice, 100 g	Sugar-free energy drink, 100 g	Orange juice, 248 g	Sugar-free energy drink, 260 g
Calories	45 kcal	4 kcal	112 kcal	10 kcal
Protein	0.7 g	0.4 g	1.7 g	1.1 g
Carbohydrates	10 g	0.4 g	26 g	1.1 g
Sugars	8.4 g	0 g	21 g	0 g
Fiber	0.2 g	0 g	0.5 g	0 g
Fat	0.2 g	0 g	0.5 g	0 g
Saturated fat	<0.1 g	0 g	<0.1 g	0 g
Vitamin C	50 mg	25 mg	124 mg	65 mg
Vitamin A	10 µg	0 µg	25 µg	0 µg
Potassium	200 mg	0 mg	496 mg	0 mg
Iron	0.2 mg	0 mg	0.5 mg	0 mg
Calcium	11 mg	0 mg	27 mg	0 mg
Magnesium	11 mg	0 mg	27 mg	0 mg
Sodium	1 mg	42 mg	2.5 mg	109 mg

Last updated November 12, 2026. Scores use the HowHealthyIs Score method.

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