If you are a fan of Dr Pepper and prefer the diet version, than you might be wondering how much caffeine is in the diet Dr Pepper and how does it compare to the other soft drinks?
Although there are many different variations in the more than 20 flavors of Dr. Pepper, the caffeine content remains relatively constant. A standard 12 oz can of Dr. Pepper Light contains 44 milligrams of caffeine, compared to 42 milligrams for a regular can of Dr. Pepper. The biggest differences in recipes are flavors and sweeteners.
Read on to find out more about caffeine and nutritional values in diet Dr Pepper.
How Much Caffeine Is In Soft Drinks?
Compared to the average 136 milligrams of coffee in a 12-ounce cup of coffee, soft drinks typically contain between 40 and 60 milligrams of caffeine per 12-ounce can. However, the caffeine content of coffee and soft drinks is not exactly comparable.
Coffee is a natural source of caffeine. Unless it has been decaffeinated, coffee still contains organic caffeine. Even if you drink decaffeinated, you may consume less than 1% residual caffeine.
In contrast, soft drinks are not natural sources of caffeine. The stimulant must be artificially added.
This can be a good thing if you need to know exactly how much caffeine is in your cup, but the caffeine in soft drinks may not be as healthy as natural caffeine because it comes from an artificial source.
How Much Caffeine Is In Dr. Pepper Compared To Other Soft Drinks?
Dr. Pepper Light contains a similar amount of caffeine as all other Dr. Pepper products. For most soft drinks, the caffeine content is similar to regular and sugar-free versions.
Below is a comparison of caffeine in milligrams in similar 12 oz soft drinks:
- Dr Pepper Light 44.1 milligrams
- Dr. Pepper 42.6 milligrams
- Dr. Pepper Decaf 0 milligrams
- Diet Cola 46.3 milligrams
- Coca Cola 33.9 milligrams
- Diet Pepsi 36.7 milligrams
- Pepsi 38.9 milligrams
Is Diet Dr Pepper A Healthy Drink?
Diet drinks seem like a healthy alternative to sugary soft drinks, but they may not be what the doctor ordered. Sugar-free soft drinks like Dr. Pepper are artificially sweetened with chemicals like aspartame and sucralose. Both of these ingredients are associated with a host of long-term health problems, including dementia.
For someone who cannot consume sugar for health reasons, diet drinks are the best option. However, that doesn’t mean they are healthy. Naturally flavored sparkling water is a better alternative, which usually does not contain sugar or artificial sweeteners.
There are now a few varieties of sparkling water that contain caffeine, such as AHA, if you’re looking for a carbonated beverage with a little more carbonation.
How Much Caffeine Can I Drink Per Day?
According to the FDA, the average adult should not consume more than 400 milligrams of caffeine per day. This includes all sources of caffeine, including caffeinated foods like chocolate and protein shakes. Soft drinks generally contain only a small to moderate amount of caffeine, so this should not be a problem for most people.
However, you should consider how much caffeine you consume daily in combination with other sources, such as coffee. In addition, the FDA recommends significantly lower amounts of caffeine for certain groups of people, such as teenagers and pregnant women. Caffeine is not recommended for children under the age of 12.
Takeaway
So how much caffeine is in diet Dr Pepper? The caffeine content is fairly similar to the standard formula, with the diet version containing 44mg. All soft drinks contain artificially added caffeine, unlike coffee, which is a natural source of this stimulant.
Its best to consumer diet Dr Pepper in moderation, or if you prefer low sugar and low caffeine drinks than you could opt for alternative beverages such as decaff tea or coffee.
Featured Image Credit: ecrater.com
SEE ALSO: