Coke and Caffeine

One of the constant ribbing's I take for drinking so much Coke (and compared to heavy coke drinkers I don't actually drink that much), is: "How can you stand all that Caffeine?". This question comes from the assumption that Coke must contain an epic amount of Caffeine. The truth however is quite different: Coke contains about 1/3-1/5th the Caffeine of an average to strong Coffee.

The next obvious thing is someone will bring up the old "Rusty Nail" argument. And while yes the acid in Coke certainly doesn't help your teeth, I don't take my teeth out and put them in a coke can over night. Saliva does more than just make spittle ya know. If I put a nail in orange juice the result would be the similar, and if I put a nail in stomach acid the result would be worse. The sugar is by far the worst/most harmful ingredient. What makes Coke so bad for you is really the amount of sugar! If you looked at a can of Coke, imagine that 1/3rd of the can is granulated sugar. That's about right, and it is by far more sugar than almost any other type of drink.

So yes, I know Coke isn't a healthy drink. Yet he/she who is without an unhealthy habit of some kind throw the first stone. If I'm not spitting Coke in your face it isn't really your problem.

All values taken from How Much Caffeine in Drinks

Also see the relatively comprehensive: Soft Drinks by the Numbers

UPDATE: Just found this site (1/12/05) which has even more extensive listing: Caffeine Content of Beverages, Foods, & Medications

Posted at 05:15 AM to Personal By: John Fairley