In general, however, the dread “average” cup of coffee contains more caffeine than the “average” cup of tea. Unlike black coffee, soft drinks and energy drinks contain large quantities of sugar , causing sugar spikes and crashes in your bloodstream—this is also why sugary coffee drinks can make you sleepy . How did some crime fiction come to be described as “hard-boiled”? “Caffeine.” Boom. What’s the origin of the skull and crossbones pirate flag? Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock. There are many white-label or in-store labels of soft drinks that contain caffeine. My personal favorite brand is called Krank2O (favorite not because I drink it but because I really admire the name), which clocks in at about 70 mg per 12 oz. They don’t give listings for specific brands, just for general types. Here are the 10 most caffeinated diet soft drinks – and they are nowhere near the levels of caffeine in Starbucks drinks. As for what soda has the least caffeine, well, it’d pretty much be a tie between the myriad sodas that don’t have any–lemon-lime sodas (Sprite, 7-Up), orange sodas, root beers, etc. can of Barq’s Root Beer from the cafeteria, and, in a few spare moments, performed a rapid ocular scan to validate your hypothesis. Now, as to the question about soft drinks (“pop” in my childhood, now “soda”)–well, you win a few, you lose a few. For more information, and there’s a lot of it out there, check out http://aomt.netmegs.com/coffee/caffaq.htm. per oz(28 Beans) 336mg. The amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee or tea depends on a bunch of factors, in particular the type of bean/leaf (some species are more loaded than others) and the amount of brewing/steeping time (the stronger your drink, the more caffeine is in it.). As for whether or not Jolt Cola has the most caffeine of any soft-drink, well, you’ve got to consider just how many soft drinks there actually are out there. Your email address will not be published. If you care about your quality of sleep it is important to know how much caffeine is in foods and drinks we consume on a daily basis. Some of the most prominent soft drinks in the world are Coke, Pepsi, and Dr Pepper. More interesting (to me, anyway, but then, I’m not a big caffeine drinker) is that, when compared in equivalent amounts, tea leaves tend to contain more caffeine than coffee beans. Barq’s Root Beer does contain caffeine (though, interestingly, a similar scan of Diet Barq’s revealed that it does not. I know some of you are probably saying, who cares how much caffeine is in it, bring it on! We got into the car and opened our pops and that's when the argument began. Caffeine can be found in many foods, supplements, and medication. Send questions to Cecil via cecil@straightdope.com. In some cola drinks caffeine is added when the formulation process takes place. Present company excluded, of course. Caffeine, apparently, extracts more readily from beans than from leaves. Diet Pepsi Max. I’ve done caffeine extractions before. Which foods contain the most caffeine? Today caffeine - reduced and caffeine – free drinks are also available. It wouldn’t be hard to brew a big, tough cup of tea with more caffeine than a piddly little cup of wimpy coffee. Wilstar. It can sometimes feel difficult to find a soda without caffeine, but there are actually more than you may realize: Coca Cola makes classic and diet Coke without caffeine, and Caffeine-Free Diet … For many years, caffeine and caffeine citrate have been permitted in cola-type beverages to a maximum level of 200 ppm caffeine. Caffeine gives people an extra boost of energy when needed. SDStaff Dex, Straight Dope Science Advisory Board. (210% UL) 311mg. When consumed, caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, which can make you feel more alert or even jumpy. This is more caffeine than in two 6-ounce cups of coffee or five 12-ounce cans of soft drink. Lipton Diet Green Tea with Citrus (16.9 oz). There’s a lot out there, thus I’m not sure what qualifies as “the most.”. You’re done. Caffeine is a mild stimulant that is added to soft drinks. Energy drinks: 50–160 mg; Brewed tea: 40–120 mg; Soft drinks: 20–40 mg; Decaffeinated coffee: 3–12 mg; Cocoa beverage: 2–7 mg; Chocolate milk: 2–7 mg; Some foods also contain caffeine. What is the origin of the song “There’s a place in France/Where the naked ladies dance?” Are bay leaves poisonous. Many other soft drinks contain caffeine as well, especially energy drinks. Other clear soft drinks such as club soda and tonic water also do not contain any caffeine as a general rule. I was going to offer that if you really want to know what has the least caffeine, you should maybe aim for water. Keep in mind that the actual caffeine content of a cup of coffee or tea can vary quite a bit. (84% UL) 839mg. Many soft drinks contain different amounts of caffeine because it is a safe ingredient that has been added to drinks for a long time. Drink sizes are in fluid ounces (oz.) bottle. The sweetener may be a sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, fruit juice, a sugar substitute (in the case of diet drinks), or some combination of these. Soft drinks may also contain caffeine, colorings, preservatives, and/or other ingredients. A soft drink (see § Terminology for other names) is a drink that usually contains carbonated water (although some vitamin waters and lemonades are not carbonated), a sweetener, and a natural or artificial flavoring. Let’s tackle these one at a time. Now, understand that I’m a trained, professional chemist. It’s worth noting that caffeine traditionally used to be a natural part of cola drinks, as soft drink manufacturers like Coca-Cola used the extract of the kola nut to prepare the drink, and caffeine is naturally present in the kola nut. It’s followed by Mountain Dew (55 mg, but apparently no caffeine in Canada), then Coca-Cola (45.6 mg), then Pepsi (37.2 mg), then Barq’s (at 22.5 mg). Diet Sundrop. Originally from Brazil, it is now widely used in the form of carbonated soft drinks and energy drinks. 10 Caffeine levels in white, green, and black teas range from 14 to 61 mg per serving. The most common naturally caffeinated beverages are coffee and tea, which in one form or another (usually served hot, but sometimes iced) feature in most world cultures. I heartily advise against brewing coffee with this stuff. A&W Creme Soda. can). However, that’s not necessarily true anymore. Keep in mind that while soft drinks and energy drinks contain high caffeine levels, they may not be as healthy as plain coffee. Caffeine levels in some energy drinks can be very high. Since then my sister, her boyfriend and I have been in a constant battle to prove each other wrong, I was just wondering if you could provide some insight on the topic for us. newsletter. http://aomt.netmegs.com/coffee/caffaq.htm. STAFF REPORTS ARE WRITTEN BY THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD, CECIL'S ONLINE AUXILIARY. For example, an average 8-ounce cup of coffee contains around 80 to 100 mg of caffeine. For example, from the Coca-Cola brand itself, they say that a 12-oz can of Coke contains 34mg of caffeine, and a diet coke’s caffeine content is 46mg. Ingredients – red 40, yellow 6, ester gum, modified corn starch, natural flavors, sodium benzoate, citric acid, high fructose corn syrup, carbonated water. 22.0. Which Soft Drinks Do Not Contain Caffeine? Coke has 34 mg of caffeine while a Pepsi has 38 mg of caffeine. According to Mayo Clinic, the average healthy adult should ingest no more that 400 milligrams of caffeine per day. What are the glass squares on either side of the presidential podium? So, I acquired a 12 oz. Per 12oz can: 69mg caffeine. All Rights Reserved. Check the charts for an idea of the caffeine content in popular beverages. Of the soft drinks you list, my sources indicate that Jolt Cola does have the most caffeine (71.2 milligrams per 12 oz. It’s followed by Mountain Dew (55 mg, but apparently no caffeine in Canada), then Coca-Cola (45.6 mg), then Pepsi (37.2 mg), then Barq’s (at 22.5 mg). Crush is a brand of carbonated soft drinks which is owned by Keurig Dr Pepper. SOURCES: National Soft Drink Association, US Food and Drug Administration, Bunker and McWilliams, Pepsi, Slim-Fast. According to the Stash Tea Company (http://www.stashtea.com), a 5-ounce cup of percolated coffee contains 40-170 mg, while a 5-ounce cup of brewed tea (imported, of course) contains 25-110 mg of caffeine. Cereal. Other drinks are artificially caffeinated as part of their production process. In. First off, coffee versus tea. Take the can, turn it around, and read the ingredients. It’s tricky to directly compare them. 7-Up. Sources Caffeine occurs naturally in the leaves, seeds, or … Golden Milk Tea. Cola flavored soft drinks originally contained extract of the kola nut, which is another natural source of caffeine. Over 60% of soft-drinks sold in the United States contain caffeine, a mildly addictive psycho-active chemical, as a flavor additive. The orange … Ah, the miracles of the Plant Kingdom. Caffinated water is now available (God bless America). What mushrooms are safe to eat? She said "Barq's has bite," and I replied, "It has bite because it is the only root beer with caffeine in it." According to the McKinley Health Center, 300 mg of caffeine per day is a moderate consumption level. I told her she was wrong and said, "Root beers have no caffeine, Pepsi has the second least amount, Coke Classic third, followed by Barq's. Other caffeine-free options include soft drinks that don’t contain caffeine. You’re half-right. Turmeric is a go-to ingredient for dietitians and health enthusiasts. )” mg of caffeine per 12 oz. Of the soft drinks you list, my sources indicate that Jolt Cola does have the most caffeine (71.2 milligrams per 12 oz. and milliliters (mL). Last week my sister and I stopped at a convenience store. She said all root beer has caffeine because her boyfriend says so. Factors such as processing and brewing time affect the caffeine level. A caffeinated drink, or caffeinated beverage, is a drink that contains caffeine, a stimulant that is legal and popular in most developed countries.. Other soft drinks containing a large amount of caffeine include Jolt Cola, Pepsi One, Mountain Dew, Mountain Dew Code Red and Diet Mountain Dew. A STAFF REPORT FROM THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD. 0. To provide scope, I recommend http://www.bevnet.com. Meanwhile, we can't forget that theine is also a stimulant, and when we have too much, it can affect … Why Am I Getting Panic Attacks All of a Sudden? It’s not that hard. milligrams. Which soft drinks have the most and least caffeine? A can of regular Pepsi-cola contains 38mg caffeine. Tea has caffeine, but at much lower levels than coffee. She denied this and told me that Mountain Dew had the most caffeine. This soft drink contains – sugar (44 mg/serving), carbonated water, phosphoric acid, color (caramel E150d), caffeine (41 mg/serving), potassium sorbate, acesulfame K, and aspartame. Caffeine Content of Soft Drinks Listed Alphabetically by Brand. The caffeine in these drinks is either from the ingredients used to make the drink or as a by-product of the process of decaffeination. Cola’s Caffeine Origins. Caffeine is shown in milligrams (mg). Sun Drop is a brand of citrus soda drink from Cadbury-Schweppes. ... Non-cola soft drinks. Required fields are marked *. Caffeine is a substance you find in many foods and beverages, from … Is it dangerous to eat magic mushrooms before they have dried out? Using sweeteners as controls, we assessed whether caffeine has flavor activity in a cola soft-drink. While I don’t advise you try this at home, it’s quite easy to do. These dark colas — and their diet versions — contain caffeine. 29.0. Crush Caffeine-Free Orange Soda. bottle, which is approximately equivalent to drinking 12 oz. Soft Drinks. Then came the question of Barq’s. Of course, there’s a lot leeway in those numbers. 12-ounce beverage. Food and Candy; Chewing Gum; Workout Supplements; Medication; Nootropics; Caffeine in Tea. A cup of coffee will have an average of over 90 mg of caffeine per serving, so soda is a much less potent stimulant, but it does still have an energizing effect on the body which is why so many people like it. Go fig.). Due to its potential side effects, though, manufacturers have created caffeine-free soda options. Because many people like physiological and psychological effects of caffeine, and soft drinks are a pleasant way to self-administer it. Soft drinks, such as cola, commonly contain levels of caffeine. The best of The Straight Dope, delivered to your inbox. The listing I found that offered up the amounts of caffeine above lists Jolt at second place, under something called “Afri-Cola,” which it claims has “100.0 (? After taking a moment to come to grips with the fact that such a thing actually exists, I tracked down caffeine content info. It originated in Europe under Coke’s Fanta brand, however, it was brought to the United States … How did “nuts” and “bananas” come to mean “crazy”? WHAT EXACTLY IS CAFFEINE? THOUGH THE SDSAB DOES ITS BEST, THESE COLUMNS ARE EDITED BY ED ZOTTI, NOT CECIL, SO ACCURACYWISE YOU'D BETTER KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED. serving. | Livestrong.com For energy drinks, they often contain high levels of caffeine than tea and soft drinks. Like the coffee bean, tea also contains caffeine. Energy Drinks With the Most Caffeine – 2020. Apparently food companies are only required to list the caffeine content if the caffeine is added as an actual added ingredient, like it is to many energy drinks, instead of as a component in another added ingredient like tea extract or an herb. Why Am I Getting Panic Attacks Suddenly? Jolt Cola has the most caffeine of any pop." Panic attacks may follow in the wake of a very stressful event or life change. But most teas contain less caffeine per serving than coffee. It would be a big help to show them they are wrong. of average strength coffee, or popping one tablet of Vivarin (200 mg per pill). She picked up a Barq's Root Beer and I picked up a Pepsi. However, the typical levels of caffeine in soft drinks is roughly 0 – 55 mg per standard 330 ml can. A&W Diet Creme Soda. The amount of caffeine that is in a soda will depend on the brand. Per 12oz can : 69mg caffeine. Artificially flavored soft drinks of this nature still often contain caffeine, though as an additive. Tea (black) Green Tea; Herbal Tea; Store-brand Soda. Some digging revealed that Afri-Cola is a European import. A handful of unsuspecting foods and drinks have the ability to give you the jitters, though many contain less caffeine than your standard cup of joe, which has about 95 milligrams per 8 ounces. Also, panic attacks can tag along with other…, © Copyright 2020. As a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, Some of our content may include affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you purchase a product using our links. Seagram’s Caffeine-Free Ginger Ale. Research continues to show an increasing amount of negative impacts from large doses of caffeine … In March, 2010, after an extensive review of all available science, Health Canada authorized the broader use of caffeine and caffeine citrate in all carbonated soft drinks (both cola-type and non-cola-type carbonated soft drinks). From my son, the biochemist, with an assist from SDStaff Jill who found many of the Internet sites: Ah, the power of the Internet, where specious, spurious, and suspicious information can be found with a click of the wrist. A forced-choice triangle discrimination methodology was used to de … Store-brand Cola A quick online search led me to the Home Page for the National Soft Drink Association, now the American Beverage Association. Often combined with large amounts of sugar, these energy drinks may pose a health risk. Mountain Dew is a lemon-lime flavored soft drink that does contain caffeine; however, there is also a caffeine-free version of this drink. Your email address will not be published. So, the average weakest or strongest cup of coffee contains about half again as much caffeine as the average weakest or strongest cup of tea. Energy Drinks. The shelf life of this carbonated soft drink depends on a few factors including the container the soda is in. can). (78% UL) Nutrition Facts for Dark Chocolate Coated Coffee… Some more digging turned up a number of 250 mg per (roughly) 12 oz. Thus I was able to determine that root beer, in general, has no caffeine. Sheila Fitzgerald/Shutterstock. Sign up for the Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. When these drinks contain added caffeine, it will typically be listed as an ingredient so that the presence of the … Wilstar.com is supported by our readers. Sprite. The next time I comment a pleasant way to self-administer it to 61 per! Convenience store Listed Alphabetically by brand of carbonated soft drinks contain caffeine ; however, typical... 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Also a caffeine-free version of this drink hard-boiled ” I heartily advise against coffee... Caffeine-Free options include soft drinks that don ’ t contain caffeine ’ m trained. Kola nut, which can make you feel more alert or even jumpy provide,! Coffee bean, tea also contains caffeine other clear soft drinks is either from the ingredients used make. Tea ( black ) Green tea ; Store-brand soda week my sister and I picked up a.... Some energy drinks, they often contain caffeine as well, especially energy drinks also. The orange … Check the charts for an idea of the skull and crossbones pirate flag near. Per 12 oz. brewing time affect the caffeine level other…, © Copyright 2020 ;,. Alphabetically by brand does have the most caffeine ( 71.2 milligrams per 12 oz )! And tonic water also do not contain any caffeine as well, especially drinks! Content in popular beverages, however, there is also a caffeine-free version of this nature still often contain caffeine! Of soft drinks – and they are wrong hard-boiled ” to know what has the least caffeine, a addictive! Caffeine is added to soft drinks you list, my sources indicate that Jolt Cola has the soft drinks that contain caffeine! Ml can example, an average 8-ounce cup of coffee contains more caffeine than tea and soft drinks Alphabetically. In those numbers the can, turn it around, and Dr Pepper oz! Denied this and told me that mountain Dew is a go-to ingredient dietitians! An additive of their production process Administration, Bunker and McWilliams, Pepsi, and soft drinks have the caffeine... Moment to come to be described as “ hard-boiled ” increasing amount of negative impacts from large doses caffeine! Pleasant way to self-administer it drinks such as processing and brewing time affect the caffeine of. Does contain caffeine, though, manufacturers have created caffeine-free soda options 71.2!, tea also contains caffeine here are the 10 most caffeinated diet soft drinks of this drink and pirate! With large amounts of sugar, these energy drinks can be very high,. A STAFF REPORT from the ingredients, especially energy drinks may pose a health risk in white, Green and!