How Much Caffeine is Really in That Soda? 332
The Fun Guy writes "The Institute of Food Technologists summarizes some recent research on food. All things considering, it should settle some arguments among geeks about the caffination of beverages. 'Caffeine is a well-known stimulant added as an ingredient to various carbonated soft drinks, but which drink contains the most, and how can consumers know? A study in the Journal of Food Science used high-performance liquid chromatography to analyze the caffeine contents of 56 national-brand and 75 private-label store brand carbonated beverages. Caffeine contents ranged from 4.9 mg/12 oz (IGA Cola) to 74 mg/12 oz (Vault Zero). Some of the more common national-brand carbonated beverages analyzed in this study were Coca-Cola (33.9 mg/12 oz), Diet Coke (46.3 mg/12 oz), Pepsi (38.9 mg/12 oz), Diet Pepsi (36.7 mg/12 oz), Dr Pepper (42.6 mg/12 oz), Diet Dr Pepper (44.1 mg/12 oz), Mountain Dew (54.8 mg/12 oz), and Diet Mountain Dew (55.2 mg/12 oz). The authors found that store-brand beverages generally contained less caffeine, and they also suggest that consumers would benefit from having the actual caffeine content labeled on the beverage.'"
Sounds like... (Score:2, Informative)
Coffee still rules... (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Jolt? (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Measuring units? (Score:3, Informative)
Full Article Text (Score:5, Informative)
ABSTRACT: Caffeine is a well-known stimulant that is added as an ingredient to various carbonated soft drinks. Due to its stimulatory and other physiological effects, individuals desire to know the exact amount of caffeine consumed from these beverages. This study analyzed the caffeine contents of 56 national-brand and 75 private-label store-brand carbonated beverages using high-performance liquid chromatography. Caffeine contents ranged from 4.9 mg/12 oz (IGA Cola) to 74 mg/12 oz (Vault Zero). Some of the more common national-brand carbonated beverages analyzed in this study with their caffeine contents were Coca-Cola (33.9 mg/12 oz), Diet Coke (46.3 mg/12 oz), Pepsi (38.9 mg/12 oz), Diet Pepsi (36.7 mg/12 oz), Dr Pepper (42.6 mg/12 oz), Diet Dr Pepper (44.1 mg/12 oz), Mountain Dew (54.8 mg/12 oz), and Diet Mountain Dew (55.2 mg/12 oz). The Wal-Mart store-brand beverages with their caffeine contents were Sam's Cola (12.7 mg/12 oz), Sam's Diet Cola (13.3 mg/12 oz), Dr Thunder (30.6 mg/12 oz), Diet Dr Thunder (29.9 mg/12 oz), and Mountain Lightning (46.5 mg/12 oz). Beverages from 14 other stores were also analyzed. Most store-brand carbonated beverages were found to contain less caffeine than their national-brand counterparts. The wide range of caffeine contents in carbonated beverages indicates that consumers would benefit from the placement of caffeine values on food labels.
Introduction
Caffeine, 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine, is an odorless, slightly bitter substance found in numerous plant species (Tarka and Hurst 1998). Extracts derived from these plants, such as coffee and tea beverages, naturally contain caffeine and other methylxanthines. Caffeine is intentionally added as an ingredient to many carbonated soft drinks, including colas, pepper-type beverages, and citrus beverages. Although soda manufacturers may explain that caffeine contributes to the flavor of soft drinks, only 8% of adults were able to differentiate between caffeinated and caffeine-free colas at the concentration of caffeine contained in most cola beverages (Griffiths and Vernotica 2000). These beverages appeal to many consumers because of the stimulatory effect caffeine provides.
Caffeine has drawn more attention in the past decades due to its widespread consumption and physiological effects beyond that of its stimulatory effect (James 1991; Bernstein and others 2002; Mandel 2002). Caffeine is quickly absorbed by the body. The human salivary caffeine level, which indicates the extent of absorption, peaks around 40 min after caffeine consumption (Liguori and others 1997). Various physiological effects on the central nervous, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and renal systems have been reported (Nehlig and others 1992; Spiller 1998; Hartley and others 2004; Savoca and others 2005). For example, Hartley and others (2004) reported that caffeine causes a mild elevation in blood pressure. In addition, caffeine's diuretic effect is widely known (Spiller 1998).
Various governmental bodies have specified the maximum level of caffeine allowed in carbonated beverages. The U.S. Food and Drug Admin. limits the amount of caffeine in carbonated beverages to a maximum of 0.02% (FDA 2006). Therefore, the highest legal amount of caffeine allowed in a 355 mL (12 oz) can of soft drink is about 72 mg. Likewise, Canada limits caffeine to cola-type beverages at a level of 200 ppm or about 71 mg/12 oz (Dept. of Justice 2007). In Australia, the maximum caffeine level in cola-type beverages must not exceed 145 mg/kg or about 51 mg/12 oz while in New Zealand, the caffeine level is limited to 200 mg/kg or about 71 mg/12 oz (FSANZ 2000).
The amount of caffeine contained in various foods and beverages has been analyzed, including coffee (Bell and others 1996), tea (Hicks and others 1996; Friedman and others 2005; Pena and others 2005; Yao and others 2006), carbonated beverages (Bunker and McWilliams 1979; Strohl 1985; Grand and Bell 1997; Pena and others 2005), and chocolate products (Caudle and others 2001; Tokusoglu a
Re:Units (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Jolt? (Score:3, Informative)
There is a shop just off of scottsdale rd and mcdowell that still sells Jolt (as well as a WHOLE bunch of other really cool drinks).
Its called "Pop The Soda Shop"....its really cool
20mg/100ml (Score:2, Informative)
Source of caffeine in Coke (Score:4, Informative)
The "Cola" in Coca-Cola stands for kola nut extract, which used to provide the bulk of caffeine. But after several reformulations of Coca-Cola, less actual kola is in the formula, and most of the caffeine is now pure caffeine. Caffeine is a base, and Coke has phosphoric acid to disguise the bitterness.
Personally, I like the taste of Coca-Cola Zero [wikipedia.org] a lot better than that of Diet Coke. I can tolerate Diet Coke only in a fountain mix that emulates C2 [wikipedia.org] (50% Coca-Cola, 50% Diet Coke). But will Coke follow the example of Diet Pepsi Max in introducing a new higher-caffeine formulation? And will it be called Crack-a-Cola?
Re:Jolt? (Score:5, Informative)
- 38.9 for Pepsi, database says 38.
- 33.9 for Coke, db says 34.
- 42.6 for Dr Pepper, db says 41.
- 46.3 for Diet Coke, db says 45.
- 55.2 for Diet Mountain Dew, db says 55.
So it looks pretty accurate at least, from a quick glance.
To give some perspective as you're looking at drinks with 40 or 50 mg per 12 oz bottle, note that a regular cup of coffee can have around 60-120 mg per cup, and a Red Bull seem to have around 80 mg per can.
Re:Measuring units? (Score:2, Informative)
As an aside, my favourite energy drink is Rockstar Juiced, in part because the can is labelled as containing "70% Juice"
Re:Sounds like... (Score:4, Informative)
I used to drink up to a case of Coke (in cans) daily during college and once I was done with organized athletics I decided to switch to diet to keep the calories down. I hated the way diet colas tasted so I went with the new diet drink at the time, Diet Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper (aka, to my circle of friends, as Liquid Crack).
After several months of drinking it, I as up to at least 4 or 5 20oz bottles and 12+ 12oz cans daily. I wasn't having any sugar guilt so I didn't think anything of the caffeine's effect on my system.
After numerous sleepless nights in terror because of a pounding chest, I went cold turkey. That 7 day migraine sucked more than anything ever before.
Now, over 1.5 years later, I'm much better off. I am convinced that the high caffeine levels of diet soda is to compensate for the lack of sugar and to force addiction over the flavor.
My BP dropped to near normal levels (I was on 150MG+ of two different BP meds prior to the caffeine habit kick) which is likely a combination of the drop in caffeine as well as elevated sodium levels in diet soda and I feel a ton better overall.
Drop the caffeine habit, you'll love yourself for it both health and money wise.
Re:Units (Score:3, Informative)
Since around the 1890's, US units have been officially defined in terms of metric units.
Re:Regional variations? (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Measuring units? (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Full Article Text (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Sounds like... Great Blood Pressure! (Score:4, Informative)
Now I'm on 20mg of Lisinopril (to bring it further under control than it is) and I'm currently at 110 to 125 over 75 to 80. With my family history this is what the Dr recommends. I'm fine with keeping it under control in this manner.
For a while I was down to 10mg of Lisinopril but after changing Dr's, they moved me to 20mg to keep it a bit lower than what they consider "good" for good measure.
As far as exercise/diet goes, no, I didn't change anything other than the soda. My family history predisposes me to this and even when I was in 100% athletic shape my BP was 180/100 regularly. They attributed it to the distance events I trained for and became concerned only after I stopped. After ending the soda kicks, I didn't need the meds anymore and I began training again (after a 5 year hiatus) and found that my pressure INCREASED. This completely baffled the Dr but such is my life.
Good luck yourself.
Re:Measuring units? (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Regional variations? (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Jolt? (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Jolt? (Score:3, Informative)
Pepsi: Death after 359 cans
Coke: 401.47 cans
Dr. Pepper: 332.93 cans
Jolt: 62.05 cans
Re:Jolt? (Score:5, Informative)
4.83 * 2 / (16/12) = 7.25.
Re:The only answer that matters... (Score:1, Informative)