Quick answer: For people with diabetes or prediabetes, the American Diabetes Association recommends water as the first choice over both sugary and sweetened drinks, and says non-nutritive sweeteners may be an acceptable substitute for sugar when used in moderation. Sugar-sweetened drinks raise blood glucose quickly, so swapping them for water or 0 g sugar alternatives is a practical step. Your doctor or diabetes educator should guide your personal plan.
Diabetes is common in the UAE: the International Diabetes Federation estimates that around one in six adults aged 20 to 79 lives with it. Drinks are one of the easiest places to make a difference, because sugary drinks deliver a lot of sugar quickly. This guide explains what the evidence and diabetes organisations say. It is general information, not medical advice.
Important: If you have diabetes, your drinks are part of your treatment plan. Talk to your doctor, diabetes educator or dietitian before changing your diet, especially if you take insulin or medication that can cause low blood sugar.
Why sugary drinks matter in diabetes
Sugar in liquid form is absorbed quickly and can raise blood glucose fast. A 330 ml can of regular cola contains about 35 g of sugar. Juices, sweetened iced teas, energy drinks and flavoured coffees can be similar. For people managing blood glucose, these drinks are among the first things diabetes organisations suggest replacing.
(The one exception: people who use insulin or certain medications may need fast-acting sugar to treat low blood sugar, as advised by their care team.)
What diabetes organisations say
The American Diabetes Association's Standards of Care in Diabetes (2025) includes two relevant recommendations:
- People with diabetes and prediabetes are encouraged to choose water over nutritive and non-nutritive sweetened beverages.
- Non-nutritive sweeteners may be an acceptable substitute for nutritive sweeteners (sugar) when consumed in moderation, to reduce overall calorie and carbohydrate intake.
In other words: water first; if you want something sweet, a sweetener-based option is a reasonable alternative to sugar.
What about the WHO guideline?
The 2023 WHO guideline advising against using non-sugar sweeteners for weight control explicitly does not apply to people with pre-existing diabetes, because diabetes management was outside its scope. Read more in our plain-English summary of the WHO guideline.
Do sweeteners raise blood sugar?
A 2023 systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised trials found that drinks with non-nutritive sweeteners produced blood-glucose and insulin responses similar to water. Some smaller studies suggest individual differences, for example linked to gut bacteria, and research continues. If you're unsure how a drink affects you, checking your glucose before and after, as advised by your care team, gives you a personal answer.
Reading labels with diabetes in mind
- Carbohydrates per serving: the most important number for glucose.
- "Of which sugars": shows how much of the carbohydrate is sugar.
- Serving size: multiply "per 100 ml" by the volume you actually drink.
- Ingredient list: sugars hide as glucose syrup, dextrose, fructose, honey, agave or fruit juice concentrate.
- Sweeteners: named in the ingredients or by E number. Approved sweeteners have an acceptable daily intake set by regulators such as EFSA and the FDA.
"No added sugar" is not the same as "sugar-free": juices can contain a lot of natural sugar.
Drink choices at a glance
| Drink | Effect on blood glucose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Water, still or sparkling | None | First choice |
| Unsweetened tea and coffee | Minimal | Watch added milk and sugar |
| Water with a 0 g sugar syrup | Minimal (0 g sugar per glass for ZERUP) | Helps if plain water is hard to drink |
| Diet / zero soft drinks | Minimal | Moderation; check caffeine |
| Milk, laban | Moderate (lactose) | Count the carbohydrate |
| Fruit juice, smoothies | High and fast | Generally best avoided or kept small |
| Regular soft drinks, sweet iced tea | High and fast | Swap for water or sugar-free versions |
Hydration, heat and diabetes
High blood glucose can increase urination and fluid loss, and UAE heat adds to that. Some diabetes medications also affect fluid balance. Staying well hydrated with water and sugar-free drinks is sensible, and your care team can tell you how much is right for you.
Fasting in Ramadan with diabetes
Fasting with diabetes needs planning. The Dubai Health Authority advises people with diabetes to see their doctor before Ramadan to assess whether they can fast safely and to adjust medication. At iftar and suhoor, water and sugar-free drinks are better choices than sweet juices and cordials. Our article does sugar-free syrup break a fast? covers the basics.
Where ZERUP fits
ZERUP is a drink syrup, not a medical product. A prepared glass contains 0 g sugar and almost no calories, so it doesn't add sugar to your day. Some people find that flavour makes it easier to drink water and to say no to sugary drinks. The ingredients, including the sweeteners used in each flavour, are listed on every bottle so you and your care team can decide what suits you.
The bottom line
Water is the first-choice drink for diabetes. When you want flavour, 0 g sugar options are a reasonable alternative to sugary drinks, according to the American Diabetes Association, used in moderation. Read labels for carbohydrate per serving, plan Ramadan with your doctor, and let your care team guide your personal choices.
Frequently asked questions
Is sugar-free syrup good for diabetics?
The American Diabetes Association recommends water first and says non-nutritive sweeteners may be an acceptable substitute for sugar in moderation. A prepared glass of ZERUP contains 0 g sugar, but your doctor or dietitian should guide your choices.
Do sugar-free drinks raise blood sugar?
Research shows drinks with non-nutritive sweeteners affect blood glucose and insulin similarly to water. Responses can vary, so check with your care team if you are unsure.
Is sucralose safe for people with diabetes?
Sucralose is an approved sweetener with an acceptable daily intake set by EFSA and the FDA. Many diabetes organisations consider sweeteners an acceptable sugar substitute in moderation.
What is the best drink for diabetes?
Water. Unsweetened tea and coffee and 0 g sugar drinks can add variety.
Can I drink juice if I have diabetes?
Juice raises blood glucose quickly. Many care teams advise avoiding it or keeping portions very small, except when used to treat low blood sugar as advised.
See ZERUP ingredients and nutrition per flavour
0 g sugar per glass · 8+ litres per bottle · Halal & vegan · Delivered within 12 hours across the UAE, free over AED 200
Keep reading
Sources
- American Diabetes Association (2025). Standards of Care in Diabetes, Section 5: Facilitating Positive Health Behaviors. Diabetes Care. diabetesjournals.org
- International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 11th edition. diabetesatlas.org
- WHO (2023). Use of non-sugar sweeteners: WHO guideline. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Nutrients (2023). The Effect of Non-Nutritive Sweetened Beverages on Postprandial Glycemic and Endocrine Responses: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. www.mdpi.com
- Dubai Health Authority. Fasting, diabetes and its complications. dha.gov.ae
- U.S. FDA. Aspartame and Other Sweeteners in Food. www.fda.gov
- Coca-Cola UAE. Coca-Cola nutrition facts. www.coca-cola.com
This article is general information and does not replace advice from a doctor, dietitian or other qualified professional. Last reviewed: October 2026.