Vimto isn’t particularly healthy or unhealthy. It depends entirely on which version you’re drinking. The original Vimto squash contains a significant amount of sugar, while the no added sugar version has just 0.3g of sugar per 100ml and very few calories. Neither version delivers much in the way of real fruit nutrition, despite the fruity taste and branding.
What’s Actually in Vimto
Vimto is a fruit-flavoured cordial, not a fruit juice. The ready-to-drink version contains roughly 3% mixed fruit juices from concentrate, a blend of grape, blackcurrant, and raspberry. The no added sugar squash bumps that up to 10% fruit juice from concentrate before dilution, but once you mix it with water as directed, the actual fruit content in your glass is minimal.
The rest of the flavour comes from what Vimto calls its proprietary flavouring, which includes natural extracts of fruits, herbs, barley malt, and spices. The purple colour comes from carrot and hibiscus concentrates rather than artificial dyes. Both versions contain preservatives (potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate) and citric and malic acids for tartness.
Sugar Content: Original vs. No Added Sugar
This is where the health question really splits. The original Vimto squash is a sugary drink. A standard 250ml glass made from the original concentrate can contain around 11 to 13g of sugar, roughly three teaspoons. That adds up quickly if you’re refilling throughout the day, which is exactly how most people drink squash.
Sugar consumed in liquid form hits your bloodstream faster than sugar in solid food. Research on sugar-sweetened beverages shows that drinks containing high amounts of sucrose cause a sharp spike in blood glucose within 30 minutes, followed by a surge of insulin. Over time, regularly drinking sugary cordials contributes to weight gain, tooth decay, and increased risk of metabolic problems. Even moderate amounts of liquid sugar bypass the fullness signals that solid food triggers, so you’re unlikely to eat less to compensate.
The no added sugar version avoids this problem by using sucralose and acesulfame K as sweeteners instead. Per 100ml of diluted drink, it contains just 0.3g of sugar and negligible calories. If you’re choosing between the two on health grounds, the no added sugar version is the obvious pick.
Artificial Sweeteners: A Trade-Off
Switching to no added sugar Vimto means swapping sugar for artificial sweeteners. Sucralose and acesulfame K are both approved for use in food and drinks across the UK and EU, and current evidence doesn’t link them to cancer at normal consumption levels. Some people report digestive discomfort from artificial sweeteners, and there’s ongoing debate about whether they affect gut bacteria or keep sugar cravings alive by maintaining your preference for very sweet flavours. For most people drinking a few glasses a day, the practical risk is low, and it’s a clear improvement over the full-sugar version.
The Fruit and Vitamin Claims
Vimto’s branding leans heavily on its fruit heritage, but 3% fruit juice in the ready-to-drink version is negligible. You’d get more fruit benefit from eating a single grape. The small amount of blackcurrant and raspberry juice present doesn’t deliver meaningful amounts of fibre, antioxidants, or vitamins on its own.
The no added sugar squash does have added vitamin C and vitamin D, which is a small plus. However, the amounts per glass are modest, and Vimto shouldn’t be treated as a meaningful source of either nutrient. A piece of fruit or a few minutes of sunlight will do more. Vimto also sells a separate branded multivitamin gummy product, but that’s a supplement, not a drink, and the nutritional profile of the gummies has nothing to do with what’s in the squash.
How Vimto Compares to Other Drinks
- Water: Always the healthier choice. If plain water bores you, no added sugar Vimto is a reasonable way to make hydration more appealing, especially for children.
- Fruit juice: Pure orange or apple juice has more vitamins and real fruit content, but also contains natural sugars at levels comparable to fizzy drinks. Glass for glass, no added sugar Vimto has far less sugar than most fruit juices.
- Fizzy drinks: A glass of original Vimto squash contains less sugar than a 250ml serving of most colas, but the difference isn’t dramatic. The no added sugar version is comparable to diet fizzy drinks.
- Other squashes: Vimto sits in the same category as Ribena, Robinsons, and similar cordials. Nutritionally, they’re all very similar. The choice comes down to taste and whether you pick the sugared or sugar-free version.
The Bottom Line on Daily Drinking
No added sugar Vimto is a low-calorie, low-sugar way to flavour water. It won’t actively improve your health, but it won’t meaningfully harm it either, and if it helps you drink more fluid throughout the day, that’s a net positive. The original sugared version is a different story. Drinking several glasses daily adds a steady stream of liquid sugar that your body processes quickly, contributing to blood sugar swings and excess calorie intake over time.
If you enjoy Vimto and want to keep drinking it, the no added sugar squash is the version to reach for. Just don’t mistake it for a source of real fruit nutrition. It’s flavoured water with some preservatives and sweeteners, and that’s fine for what it is.