How Much Caffeine is In Dr. Pepper? (Yes, It Contains Caffeine!)
Is there a doctor in the house? Paging Dr. Pepper! This beloved popular soda is ready to help jump-start your day with its one-of-a-kind blend of over a dozen flavors and, most importantly, its caffeine content (yes, it contains caffeine!).
This article answers the question: how much caffeine is in Dr. Pepper?
What Is Dr. Pepper?
Dr. Pepper is a carbonated soft drink, aka “native Texan,” that originated in Waco, Texas in 1885 as America’s unique flavor (1).
Fun fact: the period from Dr. Pepper was dropped in the 1950s, yet both Dr and Dr. versions are used interchangeably to this day.
Dr. Pepper’s authentic blend of 23 unknown fruit flavors gives it its iconic, most-original, and misunderstood status. Besides the classic one, other types of Dr. Pepper variations include Cream Soda, Cream Soda Zero Sugar, Zero Sugar, Cherry, Cherry Zero Sugar, Cherry Vanilla, Diet, Diet Cherry Vanilla, Caffeine Free, Caffeine Free Diet, and Made With Real Sugar (2).
An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but what if we want Dr. Pepper to stay? For a unique exception to the otherwise cautionary tale of long-term soda use, check out this YouTube video.
Does Dr. Pepper Have Caffeine?
Yes, Dr. Pepper is one of the many carbonated soft drinks containing caffeine, except Caffeine Free and Caffeine Free Diet Dr. Peppers, which do not. The complete list of ingredients for a can of 12 fluid oz. of Dr. Pepper includes carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, caramel color, phosphoric acid, natural and artificial flavors, sodium benzoate (preservative), and caffeine, with 150 calories, 55 mg of sodium, and 39 g of added sugars.
As a note of caution: the amount of sugar in a single serving can of Dr. Pepper exceeds the recommendation by the American Heart Association for a healthy daily amount (3).
To maintain a healthful diet, it is best for males to consume no more than 36 grams (g) of added sugar per day, and for females to consume no more than 25 g per day
Just one can of Dr. Pepper has too much sugar for your healthy daily allowance.
How Much Caffeine Is In Dr. Pepper?
Dr. Pepper has 42 mg of caffeine in a can of 12 fluid oz, with 3.5 mg of caffeine per fluid oz. For comparison to some other popular 12 fluid oz. Soda amounts to 4 mg more than the caffeine in Pepsi and 13 mg less than Mtn Dew’s caffeine.
Final Thoughts
How much caffeine is in Dr. Pepper? Dr. Pepper has 42 mg of caffeine in a can of 12 fluid oz. and 3.5 mg of caffeine per fluid oz. This is relatively comparable to the amount of caffeine in other well-known carbonated soft drinks like Pepsi and Mtn Dew.
FAQs
Dr. Pepper has 42 mg of caffeine in a can of 12 fluid oz. compared to about 136 mg of caffeine in brewed coffee for the same amount. Coffee is your best bet if you’re looking at caffeine quantities. However, Dr. Pepper has the nostalgia factor and easier portability in a can.
Diet Dr. Pepper has just about the same caffeine as regular Dr. Pepper. Diet Dr. Pepper contains 3.42 mg of caffeine per fluid oz. and 41 mg in a can of 12 fluid oz.
Dr. Pepper has 26 mg of caffeine in a can of 7.5 fluid oz., 42 mg in a can of 12 fluid oz., and 70 mg in a bottle of 20 fluid oz. Coke has 21 mg of caffeine in a can of 7.5 fluid oz., 32 mg in a can of 12 fluid oz., and 53 mg in a bottle of 20 fluid oz. Dr. Pepper wins here on the caffeine front (4).
References
- Dr Pepper Museum. (n.d.). History. Retrieved October 13, 2022, from https://drpeppermuseum.com/history/
- Dr Pepper. (n.d.). Dr Pepper. Retrieved October 17, 2022, from https://www.drpepper.com/s/products/dr-pepper-MCIMVR7R65VZAXFHMUROJ63OYJUM
- Kandola, A. (2019, April 2). 5 reasons why sugar is bad for you. Retrieved October 17, 2022, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324854
- Link, R. (2018, August 10). How Much Caffeine Do Coke and Diet Coke Contain? Retrieved October 17, 2022, from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/caffeine-in-coke
