As a coffee addict, I often forget that coffee is not the only drink to consider when adhering to daily caffeine limits. The FDA recommends that adults do not consume more than 400 mg of caffeine per day, but this includes all sources of caffeine, including teas, soft drinks, sodas, and, of course, coffee. But do you know how much caffeine is in Coke and how it compares to a standard cup of coffee? Here’s everything you need to know about caffeine in coffee vs. Coke and what you should be aware of to make sure you’re not consuming more caffeine in a day than you think.
Caffeine in coffee vs. Coke
“Let’s get the easy part out of the way – a can of Coke in the typical 12-oz size contains 34mg of caffeine,” says Justin Christopher, Manager of Ecommerce at Klatch Coffee (data directly from Coca Cola). Coffee, in contrast, can contain varying amounts of caffeine, based on the varietal of bean, roasting preferences, and the specific brewing method used. It can be more challenging to quantify the precise amount of caffeine in coffee as a result.”
For example, Christopher explains that a standard cup of coffee brewed with Arabica coffee beans contains around 80 to 100 mg of caffeine — about triple the amount you’ll find in a standard serving of Coke.
Caffeine in Diet Coke vs. Coke compared to coffee
When we consider caffeine in coffee vs. Coke, we must also detail which specific type of Coke we’re talking about. Christopher points out that Diet Coke is a bit more caffeinated than regular Coke, containing about 46mg of caffeine for a 12-oz can.
“Decaffeinated coffee is an option for those trying to reduce or eliminate caffeine. ‘Decaf’ is never entirely free of caffeine — typically just 5-7 mg remains, so quite a bit less compared to both regular coffee and Coke, although not entirely zero,” he shares. Of course, Coke also comes in a caffeine-free variety for those who wish to avoid caffeine (which contains no caffeine at all).
How does the caffeine in coffee vs. Coke differ?
From a chemical standpoint, caffeine is caffeine — but that doesn’t mean that drinking coffee and drinking Coke (even when apples to apples in terms of caffeine content) will affect every person the same. “If you’re feeling like your energy levels have higher peaks and lower troughs after consuming soda, you aren’t alone. Caffeine plus sugar can give you a real jolt!”
The different sensations might be explained by the spike in blood sugar levels following soda consumption, as opposed to differences in the way caffeine from these two beverages is processed,” Christopher says. “Some soda drinkers describe the ‘crash’, but that’s more likely to be from sugar, not caffeine. Caffeine, regardless of source, takes about 6 hours to be 50% gone from your system.”
Caffeine peaks in your bloodstream about 45-60 minutes, whether you’re drinking coffee or drinking Coke. When delivered in liquid form, which requires little digestion, some drinkers report feeling at least some effects in as little as 10 minutes.
Is coffee or Coke healthier?
Most of us inherently know that soda is considered by all to be an unhealthy beverage choice, which offers no nutritional value whatsoever. Coffee, on the other hand, while many say it is also unhealthy, also has research that highlights its various health benefits. According to Christopher, the “unhealthy” reputation of Coke comes more from its sugar content and less from its low caffeine content.
“The American Heart Association, for example, recommends a maximum of no more than 6% of calories consumed come from added sugars. Depending on your daily caloric needs, you might exceed that in one single can of soda,” he says. Coffee, in contrast, doesn’t contain added sugars to your day unless you explicitly add them to your cup.
Should you drink coffee or Coke for a caffeine boost?
Although a cup of coffee and a can of Coke can both provide a caffeine boost, it’s also worth pointing out that Coke contains calories, whereas black coffee does not. Coke’s calories come in the form of carbohydrates from high fructose corn syrup (or cane sugar, depending on where you are located ). A 12-oz can of Coke contains 140 calories, which means you’ll also want to consider this when counting how many calories you consume in a day.
“Coffee, in contrast, contains almost no caloric value. Black coffee has just 1 or 2 calories per cup – essentially zero. Calories in “coffee” come from add-ons like dairy or syrups, not the coffee itself, ” Christopher says.
While there’s a time and place for both coffee and Coke in your life, it’s worth considering your source of caffeine and how it relates to your health goals. Those looking to reduce calorie consumption but who still want a boost of caffeine will likely do better with a black cup of coffee over a can of Coke.
