Does Dr pepper zero have caffeine?
If you are a lover of soda and beverage, you must have come across any of Dr Pepper beverages and one question most people who take carbonated drinks asked is the amount and quantitity of caffeine in the drink. Have you ever wondered why people oftenly ask “does Dr Pepper zero have caffeine?”
There are many brands of Dr Pepper products and all of these drinks contain caffeine except Diet Caffeine Dr Pepper and Caffeine Free Dr Pepper. This means that Dr Pepper zero contains caffeine. The caffeine in these drinks are naturally gotten from coffee bean and artificially produced in pharmaceutical factories.
WHAT IS DR PEPPER?
Dr Pepper is a carbonated beverage that originated in 1880. It was invented by a pharmacist known as Charles Alderton in Waco, Texas. This drink was first served in the year 1885 and by 1904, it was marketed nationally in the United States. Currently, Dr Pepper is available and sold in countries like Europe, Asia, North and South America. However, Dr Pepper is imported and sold in countries like Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
There are many variants of Dr Pepper and they are:
- Heritage Dr Pepper
- Diet Dr Pepper
- Caffeine Free Dr Pepper
- Diet Caffeine Free Dr Pepper
- Dr Pepper Zero
- Cherry Vanilla Dr Pepper
- Diet Cherry Vanilla Dr Pepper
- Dr Pepper Cherry
- Diet Dr Pepper Cherry
- Dr Pepper “Made with Real Sugar”
- Dr Pepper Vanilla Float
- Cherry Dr Pepper Zero
- Dr Pepper TEN
Some variants of Dr Pepper that were discontinued are:
- Pepper Free
- Dr Pepper Red Fusion
- Dr Pepper Berries & Cream
- Diet Dr Pepper Berries & Cream
- Diet Cherry Chocolate Dr Pepper
WHAT IS CAFFEINE AND WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?
Caffeine is a stimulant that is naturally found in plants like coffee beans, tea leaves, and cocoa beans. An artificial form of this stimulant is added to foods and drinks like energy drinks and sodas. When caffeine is taken, it stimulates the body’s central nervous system, this helps to keep you alert for your mental and physical performance. It can also increase your heart rate and blood pressure.
However, there are some disadvantages associated with caffeine. It is a diuretic, this means that it has the potential of dehydrating your body. It can also lead to difficulty in sleeping (insomnia) and anxiety, it can also cause jitteriness. Taking too much of caffeine can lead to you becoming dependent on it and when you stop taking it, there can be withdrawal symptoms.
DOES DR PEPPER ZERO HAVE CAFFEINE?
Dr Pepper zero is a sparkling drink with low calories and gives a fruity flavor. It has a unique taste that is somehow difficult to describe as it is good. The manufacturer claims the drink contains zero sugar and zero calories hence the name “Dr Pepper zero”. There are some downsides to this drink. This means that you can take the drink in moderate as excess of caffeine and artificial ingredients are not safe for your health.
It contains:
- Caffeine
- Added colors
- Added preservatives
- Added intense sweeteners
Dr Pepper zero has some advantages like:
- Zero sugar
- No calories
- Gluten free
- GMO free
- Allergen free
- It can be taken by vegetarians and vegans
Ingredients for Dr Pepper zero include Carbonated Water, Color (Caramel E150d), Flavorings including Caffeine, Acid (Phosphoric Acid), Sweeteners (Aspartame, Acesulfame K), Preservative (Potassium Sorbate).
HOW MUCH CAFFEINE IS IN A DR PEPPER ZERO CAN?
Each can of Dr Pepper zero have the same amount of caffeine just like other Dr Pepper carbonated beverage with caffeine. The amount of caffeine in Dr Pepper zero can is 42 mg. This amount is moderate as compared to most carbonated drinks. According to a study by the Journal of Food Science in 2007, a 12 fl oz of Dr Pepper has 42.6 mg of caffeine.
DOES DR PEPPER HAVE MORE CAFFEINE THAN COFFEE?
Each 12-ounce can of Dr Pepper has about 41 to 42 mg of caffeine. The same measurement of brewed coffee has 140 mg of caffeine. This means that coffee has much more caffeine content than Dr Pepper. Coffee has around 90mg of caffeine for a quantity as small as 8oz. This is much more caffeine than even 12-ounce can of Dr Pepper. A 20oz can of Dr Pepper has only 68 mg of caffeine while coffee has 227 mg of caffeine. While Dr Pepper has caffeine, it is not anywhere near the content coffee has.
The caffeine in coffee is different from that in Dr Pepper. Dr Pepper carbonated drinks have synthesized caffeine while coffee is a natural source of caffeine. The body have different ways of breaking down and absorbing them. Also, coffee contains some chemical compounds and nutrients that are needed by the body. However, everything lies on moderation.
DOES DR PEPPER CHERRY ZERO HAVE CAFFEINE?
Dr Pepper cherry zero has a unique taste with no sugar, it comes in different flavors that gives consumers a sweet treat. You can choose to enjoy the drink alone or you pair it with any dish of your choice. Dr Pepper cherry zero can be taken during breakfast, lunch or dinner. You can never go wrong with this carbonated beverage.
Ingredients for Dr Pepper cherry zero are carbonated water, caramel color, natural and artificial flavors, aspartame, acesulfame potassium, sodium benzoate (preservative), citric acid, phosphoric acid, caffeine, malic acid, sodium phosphate, red 40. From the above ingredients, you can see that Dr Pepper cherry zero contains caffeine and the amount is 40 mg per 12 fluid ounces.
HOW MUCH CAFFEINE DOES DIET DR PEPPER CONTAIN?
A can of Diet Dr Pepper contains about 41mg of caffeine just like other varieties of Dr Pepper carbonated drinks. Comparing this Diet Dr Pepper to other diet sodas like Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi, there is more caffeine in Diet Dr Pepper. Coffee on the other hand, has much more caffeine than all the diet carbonated drinks.
DOES DR PEPPER HAVE CAFFEINE VS COKE?
Both Dr Pepper and coke have caffeine but their amount differs. Coke has lesser amount of caffeine when compared to the same ounce of Dr Pepper. While coke has about 2.83 milligrams, Dr Pepper has approximately 3.42 milligrams. Let us compare the amount of caffeine in coke and Dr Pepper per serving size
Serving size Coke caffeine Dr Pepper caffeine:
- 7.5 fl oz 21 mg 26 mg
- 8 fl oz 23 mg 28 mg
- 12 fl oz 34 mg 41 mg
- 16 fl oz 45 mg 55 mg
- 16.9 fl oz 48 mg 58 mg
- 20 fl oz 57 mg 68 mg
However, Diet Coke contains more caffeine than Diet Dr Pepper. While Diet Coke has about 3.83 milligrams, Diet Dr Pepper has around 3.42 milligrams of caffeine per ounce (Brand Informers, 2021).
CAFFEINE CONTENT OF DR PEPPER VS OTHER BEVERAGES
According to the data by the United States Department of Agriculture, the table below summarizes the difference between caffeine content of Dr Pepper when compared to other beverages.
Beverage Serving Size Caffeine (mg):
- Dr Pepper (Regular) 12 fl oz 41
- Diet Dr Pepper 12 fl oz 41
- Coca-Cola Classic 12 fl 34
- Diet Coke 12 fl oz 46
- MTN Dew 12 fl oz 54
- Diet MTN Dew 12 fl oz 54
- Pepsi 12 fl oz 38
- RC Cola 12 fl oz 43
- Red Bull 12 fl oz 114
- Monster Energy 12 fl oz 120
- Coffee 12 fl oz 136
DO THEY STILL MAKE CAFFEINE FREE DR PEPPER?
Caffeine Free Dr Pepper is still available for purchase, you can easily see it in stores, supermarkets and grocery stores around you. Most online stores like Amazon, Walmart and others sell Caffeine Free Dr Pepper. However, there has been a shortage of this Caffeine Free Dr Pepper in many stores and the manufacturers are yet to put out an official statement.
This drink is specifically designed for those who do not want caffeine in their beverages, the absence of caffeine did not interfere with the taste of this drink as it still gives that same authentic Dr Pepper taste.
DOES CAFFEINE FREE DIET DR PEPPER STILL AVAILABLE?
Just like Caffeine Free Dr Pepper, this drink is also not easily seen in markets and stores, the reason for this is not known yet but many customers have dropped reviews on the company’s official website asking for an answer.
Hopefully, the production of this drink will resume in no time. Caffeine Free Diet Dr Pepper gives a rich taste and feeling of refreshment without giving you calories and caffeine. There is a rich blend associated with this drink that made it unique to consumers.
CONCLUSION
Most carbonated drinks or sodas have one thing in common, the presence of caffeine. This is one of the reasons why it is advised to take them in moderation to avoid having side effects. The amount of caffeine in Dr Pepper can be classified as moderate as it is lesser than the amount found in coffee and some carbonated drinks.
Out of the different varieties of Dr Pepper, only 2 are made without caffeine and they are Caffeine Free Dr Pepper and Caffeine Free Diet Dr Pepper.