Caffeine in Coffee vs Fizzy Drinks: Which Has Higher Content?

Nothing is worse than sitting through long lectures or meetings, especially first thing in the morning or right after lunch. Those drooping eyelids and telltale nod are sure signs you need some caffeine.

Between the vending machine Coke and breakroom drip coffee, which one will get you through that 3-hour meeting? Which drink has more caffeine? Keep reading to find out the difference in caffeine in coffee vs fizzy drinks.

What Is Caffeine Anyway?

Caffeine is a natural compound found in tea, coffee, and chocolate. It is a common additive in soft drinks, snacks, and supplements. Its natural form resembles a white powder and is bitter in taste.

As a stimulant, caffeine affects the central nervous system, which comprises the brain and spinal cord (1). While most people eat or drink food or beverages containing caffeine for increased alertness and wakefulness, what caffeine does to your body goes way beyond that.

It has many health benefits, according to Medical News Today (2):

In other words, caffeine may increase your metabolic rate by creating a caloric deficit through appetite suppression and increasing the calories you burn by producing more body heat during digestion.

In addition to helping you stay awake and alert, caffeine also improves concentration and memory. In moderate doses, it also improves physical endurance in sports and may help prevent cognitive decline. Not only will you be more alert throughout the day, you may even find yourself doing better work.

Caffeine in Fizzy Drinks vs Coffee

While most of us know that coffee contains caffeine, popular soft drinks, like Coke, contain caffeine, too. In fact, caffeine is one of the ingredients crucial to the iconic taste we all know and love (3).

So, which beverage has more caffeine? Let’s take a look at Coke and coffee side-by-side.

Coffee

Determining the amount of caffeine in coffee can be complicated because different coffee drinks have varying caffeine content. Caffeine content is impacted by brew method, beverage size, and type of coffee.

A 30-ml shot of espresso contains around 75 mg of caffeine. So your typical 355-ml latte with a double shot of espresso has about 150 mg of caffeine. On the other hand, drip coffee only contains about 18 mg of caffeine per 30 ml, but we usually drink it in larger quantities. A 355-ml drip coffee has around 216 mg of caffeine – much more than the latte.

Fizzy Drinks

Now, here’s a much easier comparison:

• Your average 12-ounce can of regular Coca-Cola contains only 34 mg of caffeine, while the diet version of the same size contains 46 mg.
• Coke Zero’s caffeine content is about the same as that of regular Coke.
• Coca Cola’s new drink, Coke Coffee, only contains 69 mg of caffeine per every 12 oz.
• A 12-ounce can of Pepsi has the same caffeine content as a 12-ounce original Coca Cola.
• A 12-ounce bottle of Mountain Drew contains 55 mg of caffeine.
• Dr. Pepper contains 3.5 mg of caffeine per fl. oz, or 42 mg in a 12-ounce can.

Theoretically, because of a soft drink’s lower caffeine content, you can have more of them throughout the day while staying within the guidelines for safe levels of caffeine, which is around 400 mg per day. However, unlike regular drip coffee, fizzy drinks contain almost ten teaspoons of sugar per 355-ml can. This makes coffee the healthier and more caffeinated choice.

But sometimes, you just want to have your cake and eat it too. How about a great coffee soda to round out your day? Watch this clip to see how you can make some delicious coffee soda at home.

Related: Coffee Beer: A Complete Guide On This Strange Tasty Drink

The Verdict

Whether you enjoy pour-overs, French presses, drip coffees, or espresso, our brief comparison shows that coffee will almost always contain more caffeine than the average fizzy drink. While a 355-ml can of Coke contains 34 mg of caffeine, a 355-ml drip coffee will have 216 mg of caffeine.

Moreover, since regular, unsweetened coffee has many antioxidants and no added sugars, it’s better for you, too.

Which single-origin bean or coffee blend are you brewing for your daily caffeine fix? Let us know in the comments below or our Home Grounds Facebook group.