How Much Caffeine Do Coke and Diet Coke Contain?

How Much Caffeine Do Coke and Diet Coke Contain? Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, keeping you alert and energized. Caffeine used to be a naturally occurring component of cola drinks because soft drink makers (such as Coca-Cola) used kola nut extract to make the drink, and caffeine is naturally present in the kola nut. 

Coca-Cola later incorporated coca plant extracts into their drinks. Because none of these natural sources is employed anymore, it is only logical that fizzy sodas would incorporate caffeine to replace the kola nut’s flavor. This is the justification given by soft drink producers. 

Caffeine was proposed to be removed from soft drinks by the FDA in 1980. Soft drink producers responded by saying that caffeine is added to the beverages to give them the desired flavor, which is not harmful to health.

There are roughly 60 plant species that contain caffeine; cocoa beans, kola nuts, and tea leaves are the most well-known. Caffeine is found in many popular soft drinks, as well as a variety of pharmaceutical preparations and over-the-counter drugs, such as analgesics, diet aids, and cold or flu cures. 

What Is Caffeine?

Caffeine is a naturally-occurring chemical that acts as a central nervous system stimulant, enhancing alertness and fighting off fatigue.

It can be found in the leaves, seeds and fruits of many plants and is especially prevalent in cocoa beans, tea leaves and coffee beans.

It’s also commonly added to many products, including soft drinks, energy drinks and certain over-the-counter medications.

Nowadays, caffeine tops the charts as one of the most commonly consumed ingredients around the world.

In fact, it’s estimated that 85% of the US population consumes at least one caffeinated beverage per day, with an average daily intake of 165 mg of caffeine.

While coffee accounts for the majority of caffeine intake across the board, carbonated soft drinks like Coke make up a high proportion of the intake in those younger than 18 

What are the long-term effects of caffeine?

How Much Caffeine Do Coke and Diet Coke Contain? Most people have no problems with 400 mg of caffeine or 4 cups of coffee a day. If you are sensitive to caffeine, however, even small doses can cause insomnia (inability to sleep), a racing heart, anxiety, and restlessness. 

Caffeine consumption of more than 600 mg per day (equal to 4-7 cups of coffee) is considered excessive according to health and nutrition experts. Excessive caffeine intake (e.g., more than 4 cups of coffee per day) in the long term may cause:

• Anxiety
• Difficulty sleeping
• Ulcers
• Osteoporosis in postmenopausal women
• Irritability and headaches
• Dizziness and ringing in the ears
• Muscle tremor
• Weakness and fatigue
• Rapid heart rate and breathing rate
• Poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination
• Irregular heart rate or rhythm
• Low blood pressure with fainting
• Seizures, confusion, or delirium

What are symptoms of caffeine withdrawal?

Giving up caffeine after a long period of consumption can be difficult as the body adjusts. Withdrawal symptoms normally appear 12-24 hours and the effects may continue anywhere from 2-7 days or even longer. These symptoms may include:

• Headache
• Marked fatigue or drowsiness
• Nausea
• Anxiety or irritability
• Sweating
• Dysphoria or depressed mood
• Difficulty concentrating
• Flu-like symptoms (nausea, vomiting, or muscle pain or stiffness)

Scientific research suggests that withdrawal symptoms can occur from daily consumption of only 100 mg of caffeine, indicating that drinking 3 cans of soft beverages a day is enough to get addicted.

Caffeine is classified as both a food additive and a medication by the FDA. Because the amount of caffeine in different goods can vary greatly, read the label before consuming.

How Much Caffeine Is in Coke and Diet Coke?

The caffeine content of Coke products depends on several factors, including the serving size and type of drink; 

	7.5-ounce (222-ml) can	12-ounce (355-ml) can	20-ounce (591-ml) bottle
Coke	21 mg caffeine	32 mg caffeine	53 mg caffeine
Diet Coke	28 mg caffeine	42 mg caffeine	70 mg caffeine

Decaffeinated varieties, such as caffeine-free Coca-Cola, are also available for those looking to cut their caffeine intake.

How the Caffeine in Coke Compares

Ounce for ounce, the amounts of caffeine in Coke and Diet Coke are significantly lower than most other caffeinated beverages including energy drinks, coffee and green tea.

	Serving size	Caffeine content
Coke	7.5 ounces (222 ml)	21 mg
Diet Coke	7.5 ounces (222 ml)	28 mg
Green tea	8 ounces (237 ml)	35 mg
Energy drinks	8.3 ounces (245 ml)	77 mg
Coffee	8 ounces (237 ml)	95 mg

Keep in mind, however, that the caffeine content varies for these drinks based on different factors, including brand, ingredients and specific type of beverage.

How Much Caffeine Is Too Much?

When consumed in moderation, caffeine can be used safely with minimal risk of side effects.

In fact, doses up to 400 mg daily are considered safe for most adults.

Ideally, though, it’s best to limit your intake to around 200 mg daily to reduce your risk of side effects.

For reference, this equals just two 8-ounce (237-ml) cups of coffee or around five 8-ounce (237-ml) cups of green tea.

However, you would need to drink more than six 12-ounce (355-ml) cans of Coke or four 12-ounce (355-ml) cans of Diet Coke per day to reach this amount.

5 FAQs on Caffeine Content in Coke and Diet Coke