Determination of Sugar Levels of Some Energy and Soft Drinks Marketed in Jos Metropolis, Nigeria

Sugars are the next main ingredients, after water, present in Energy Containing Beverages (ECBs). They are substantial in providing energy and so are present in every drink beverage in distinct proportions. Ten samples each of both soft drinks and energy drinks purchased in Jos metropolis in Plateau state, Nigeria were assessed for their sugar levels primarily in g/100 mL. This assessment was done using the Abbe refractometer to measure the percentage brix values at 22 oC, and the Density bottle was used to measure the densities of each sample and their values were used to calculate the mass concentrations of the samples. Sixteen (16) out of the twenty samples showed concentrations (7-14 g/100 mL) within the recommended Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) regulatory limit. The other four (4) samples fell slightly outside the SON recommended limit; three were below (SF 3: 6.14 g/100 mL, SF 75.10 g/100 mL, and ED 6: 6.13 g/100 mL) and that of one above ED (10: 15.7 g/100mL). The energy drinks (EDs) were found to contain more sugar than the soft drinks (SFs) with mean concentrations of 10.51 g/100 mL and 8.17g/100 mL respectively. The results from the study reveal that majority of energy and soft drinks studied are within the regulatory limits set by SON. However, a few should be placed un the watch list, particularly those that are otherwise recommended for diabetics due to their ‘low sugar levels’