Fizz, Sugar, and Skyr: What Are Icelanders Really Drinking?

Let’s begin with a local joke: Only tourists buy bottled water in Iceland. The locals? They drink it straight from the tap, because Icelandic water isn’t just clean, it’s practically holy. Filtered by lava, glacier-fed, and so cold it makes your teeth sing.

So, why is every fridge in Reykjavik full of Pepsi Max, Monster, and energy drinks with names like “Burn” or “Battery Acid (probably)”?

The Sparkling Truth

According to national data, Icelanders are among the top soda and energy drink consumers per capita in the world. Pepsi Max is king. It’s so deeply beloved that entire online forums are dedicated to “which shop has it cheapest this week.”

Teenagers drink energy drinks daily. Not occasionally, daily. A 2022 national survey revealed over 50% of high school students report consuming them regularly, with health experts waving red flags while the rest of the country shrugs and cracks open another can.

Ironically? Icelanders drink their coffee black and without sugar. They’re proud of that too. They love purity, until it comes in a can with taurine and neon colors.

Culture Clash: Hospitality with Bubbles

For Jews, Israelis, and other newcomers in Iceland, this creates a small cultural dance. You want to be a respectful guest or host? Offer soda. It's expected. It's how Icelanders show hospitality. Refusing fizz outright may seem rude. But drinking only that? Risky.

A practical tip: Serve a balance, have sparkling options for guests, but don’t be shy to proudly say, “And this is tap water, Icelandic gold.” Locals will smile in agreement. They know it's true.

What Health Looks Like: A Personal Note

In my years working in food and occupational safety, I saw firsthand how energy drinks can become dangerous, especially for young people working long hours. In the Israeli-Arab community, girls working shifts would drink 7-10 cans a day!!! Every two weeks we called an ambulance for some worker who fainted or collapsed.

I put up posters with spoonfuls-of-sugar charts. We brought in EMTs for training. Nothing changed - until we added a hot drink machine with cocoa and coffee.

Warm drinks. Simple sugars. Real rest. It helped.

Skyr, Shabbat, and Sustainable Energy

Icelandic food culture has hidden strengths:

• Skyr: high-protein, low-fat, naturally sweetened.

• Smoked salmon: rich in omega-3s, in Iceland they are fresher and tastier.

• Tap water: best in the world.

Add that to Jewish wisdom - a Shabbat meal, a slice of challah, maybe fewer cans of chemicals, and you’ve got a real recipe for sustainable health.

Drink with awareness. Celebrate what’s local. Balance the bubbles with breath.And when in doubt, pour a glass of water and raise a toast:"Lechayim, to life and maybe one less Red Bull today."