Coke Zero is the flagship diet soda of Coca-Cola which debuted back in 2005 — many, many years after its progenitor, Tabb (eventually shortened to Tab)hit the market shelves in 1963.
Why Does Broccoli Turn Brown?
It was later reformulated to taste even more like the standard Coca-Cola drink, and rebranded to emphasize more on its lack of sugar content, in 2017. The new name adopted for the Coke Zero rebrand was “Coca-Cola Zero Sugar” and that was met with initial backlash that eventually subsided.
On the ingredients list, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar claims to have zero content of sugar in it and contribute nothing in terms of calorific value to the overall body, while still offering the signature taste of standard Coca-Cola for its mainly manly audience to relish.
But that’s far from the only thing headed in bold. There’s caffeine too, and we’ll explore that in a second.
The original Coke Zero contains caffeine, but in reduced amounts compared to the diet coke. The use of caffeine is justified by The Coca-Cola Company as being a necessity.
It is stated clearly on their (now archived) website that the addition of caffeine to their drinks contributes to the overall flavor profile by adding a slight bit of bitterness and harmonizing well with other ingredients such as sugar and sweeteners to produce a sensation like no other.
How much caffeine is in Coke Zero?
The Coke Zero or Coca-Cola Zero Sugar contains a relatively lower percentage of caffeine content in comparison to many drinks out there, including its not-too-divergent sibling, the diet coke and also one of its other variations –the Coca-Cola Energy Zero Sugar line. I know right, pretty weird name!
To put things into clearer perspective,
One can (12oz or 355 ml) of Coke Zero offers about 32 mg of caffeine whereas a similar can of diet coke contains 42 mg.
In terms of a single fluid ounce, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar offers roughly 2.8 mg of caffeine for every fluid ounce of its products in this line.
In comparison, the caffeine content of your morning Joe — which should typically never go below the 150 ml mark, can range anywhere from 50 to 400 mg, which is clearly more than what is found in a can of Coke Zero, Coke, or Diet coke.
While Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and all its fruity variations contain that much of caffeine content in them, there is one rather obscure member of the family that packs a little more caffeine punch than the mix, and that’s the Coca-Cola Energy Zero plus all its fruity variations too.
This is understandable because the overall idea behind energy drinks is to stimulate brain function and increase concentration and alertness. And very few ingredients enhance those functions better than caffeine while also contributing positively to the unique flavor profile that The Coca-Cola Company is after.
A 12 fluid ounce serving of Coca-Cola Energy Zero Sugar contains 114mg of caffeine which is the same amount found in the variation with sugar.
In terms of a single fluid ounce, Coca-Cola Energy Zero Sugar offers roughly 9.5 mg of caffeine for every fluid ounce of its products in this line.
114 mg of caffeine content per 12 fluid ounces is a little over three times what you’ll find in Coke Zero or Diet Coke.
Having said that, the Coke Zero brand also offers a variety of the product (first introduced in 2010, in France) that does not contain caffeine at all. It is marketed as the “Caffeine Free Coca-Cola Zero Sugar” having nearly the same flavor as the original Coke Zero with a much lowered chance of getting you all jittery!
Here is a list of Coca-Cola products and the amount of caffeine in them.
| s/n | Coke products | Amount of caffeine in 12 oz can |
| 1 | Standard Coke | 34 mg |
| 2 | Coke Zero or Coca-Cola Zero (with all the fruity variations) | 34 mg |
| 3 | Coke Energy | 114 mg |
| 4 | Coke Energy Zero Sugar | 114 mg |
| 5 | Diet Coke | 42 mg |
| 6 | Caffeine free Coca-Cola Sugar | 0 mg |
| 7 | Caffeine Free Diet Coke | 0 mg |
Is caffeine even dangerous to begin with?
The amount of caffeine content in all Coca-Cola’s product are at a level safe for most healthy adults to consume.
And for all variations other than the energy drinks, it shouldn’t contribute significantly to the overall caffeine consumption of any individual in any given day, given moderate consumption.
The caffeine level in Coca-Cola is also safe for any pregnant woman or breast feeding mother to consume (under supervision and moderation of course).
When it comes to caffeine, like most other psychoactive ingredients, there’s often a safe limit to avoid crossing otherwise you risk facing a plethora of side effects especially when your system isn’t that tolerant of the ingredient by much.
400 mg per day is the non-established safe upper limit for most healthy adults, but striving for lesser or no caffeine content at all, as someone having a poor tolerance to the ingredient is more than emphasized.
Some people can take more caffeine that the non-established safe upper limit and still appear perfectly okay. Typically, these are individuals with a genetic makeup that is on the more tolerant side, or those that have developed tolerance through frequent consumption.
Other populations can develop a variety of side effects from consuming little caffeine or slightly more than the recommended limit. These are individuals that typically have genes on the intolerant side, or those that are already compromised with sicknesses such as anxiety, high blood pressure, diabetes or other medical conditions.
As far as the long term effects of caffeine is concerned (for healthy individuals), it seems to be tilted towards the positive end of the spectrum.
Caffeine has little evidence of harm, but rather many evidence of benefits. Caffeine is associated with longevity and also with the reduction of risk of various illnesses including:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Liver cancer
- Depression
- Parkinson’s disease.
In summary: Taking caffeine at or below recommended intake is not associated with any healthy risk at all. Rather, you may benefit from the practice by having a healthier life. With that said, some populations that are compromised with disease that cause intolerance to caffeine should reduce and limit their intake to much safer levels or even avoid the tonic completely.
Is coke zero safe?
The fact that the list of ingredients for the Coke Zero looks kind of pristine doesn’t actually mean it is.
This specific brand from the beverage giants is actually far from keeping a clean sheet than you’re imagining.
While Coke Zero contains practically zero sugar, an ingredient which we know can be very detrimental when abused, it may contain something equally detrimental if not more, and that’s the artificial sweeteners used in place of sugar.
These work the magic of creating a calorie free product, but on the other hand, some studies have shown their association with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes by the same proportion as any sugar-sweetened drink. Artificial sweeteners have also be linked with obesity and several diseases including, bone, heart and kidney diseases.
Having said that, it’s also important to note that there are several conflicting studies to those that link artificial sweeteners to diseases. These label the effects of artificial sweeteners as either neutral or beneficial to weight management.
The fact that conflicting studies exist means that Coke Zero is still in the grey area, and many studies are required to establish it’s title as the king of diet beverages, or send it packing into murky trash cans across the globe.
What Coca-Cola products don’t contain caffeine?
According to the Coca-Cola Britain website, the following products do not contain caffeine in them.
- Fanta
- Sprite
- Caffeine Free Diet coke
- Oasis
- Lilt
- 5 Alive
Final Thoughts
Coke zero is marketed under a rainbow of variations, and while the original Coke Zero drink and its exactly half a dozen fruit variations have about 34 mg of caffeine per 12 fluid ounce, the Coca-Cola energy line has a little over 3 times more caffeine content at 114 mg than the original Coke zero.
If you’re looking for a caffeine free variation of the coke zero, the company claims to offer one marketed as “Caffeine Free Coca-Cola Zero Sugar”.
It contains zero amount of caffeine while nearly preserving the relish of the standard Coca-Cola drink.
FAQs
Does Coke Zero have enough caffeine? ›
Coke Zero has less caffeine than Diet Coke. However, both beverages are well below the recommended daily caffeine limit of 400 mg per day for adults ( 2 ). One debatable difference is the taste of these two drinks.
What is the difference between Coke Zero and Coke Zero caffeine free? ›Coca-Cola Zero Sugar is a super sweet soft drink that has 34 mg of caffeine per every 355 ml shelf-stable can. Coke Zero Sugar Caffeine-Free options have no caffeine.
Why is caffeine free Coke zero hard to find? ›Since 2020, Caffeine-Free Coca-Cola has been difficult to find in stores, both in cans and 2-liter bottles. The explanation given by various non-official sources is that due to a shortage of aluminum cans due to COVID-19 related issues, less popular products are in short supply.
Which has more caffeine Coke Zero or regular Coke? ›Therefore, the amount of caffeine in Coke Zero is almost identical to that of Regular Coke and higher in Diet Coke. Most consumers would agree that Coke Zero tastes more like regular coke. This could be due to both having virtually the same amount of caffeine.
Does Coke Zero have caffeine How much? ›Coca-Cola® Zero Sugar Caffeine Free | Coca-Cola® Enjoy the crisp and refreshing taste of Coca-Cola with no caffeine and no sugar.
Is there a lot of caffeine in Coke Zero Sugar? ›Coca-Cola Zero Sugar is a super sweet soda that has 34 mg of caffeine per every 12 fluid oz. shelf-stable can. Coke Zero Sugar Caffeine-Free options have no caffeine. Like other drinks of its kind, it has a relatively low amount of caffeine compared to a traditional cup of coffee, which has about triple this quantity.
Is Coke Zero actually healthier than regular Coke? ›Coke Zero does not add nutritional value to your diet, and the long-term effects of drinking diet sodas are still unclear. If you want to reduce your sugar or regular soda intake, opt for healthier, low-sugar drinks like herbal tea, fruit-infused water, and black coffee — and leave Coke Zero on the shelf.
How much caffeine should you have in a day? ›For healthy adults, the FDA has cited 400 milligrams a day—that's about four or five cups of coffee—as an amount not generally associated with dangerous, negative effects.
What soda has no caffeine? ›Sprite and Fresca soda are also caffeine-free. Enjoy these popular caffeine-free drinks: Caffeine-Free Coca‑Cola, Caffeine-Free Diet Coke and Caffeine-Free Coca‑Cola Zero Sugar. Seagram's Ginger Ale, Diet Ginger Ale, Tonic and Seltzer.
Did they stop making caffeine free Coke Zero? ›No, it hasn't been discontinued.
Why does caffeine free Coke taste better? ›
Removing caffeine from coffee or cola changes the flavor of the drink because the resulting products are missing the bitterness of caffeine, the flavors resulting from interactions between the caffeine and other ingredients in the product, and also because the process of removing caffeine may impart or remove flavors.
Is it good to be caffeine free? ›Drinking less coffee or even eliminating caffeine entirely can help reduce anxiety, improve sleep quality, and reduce headaches, among several other benefits. Don't panic. We're not going to say you need to quit caffeine. If you don't even dare say the word decaf, you aren't alone.
Which Coke has the least caffeine? ›How Much Caffeine Is in Coke and Diet Coke? Decaffeinated varieties, such as caffeine-free Coca-Cola, are also available for those looking to cut their caffeine intake. Coke contains 32 mg of caffeine per 12-ounce (335-ml) serving. Diet Coke is higher in caffeine, with about 42 mg per 12 ounces (335 ml).
What does aspartame do to your body? ›It causes neuropsychiatric reactions such as headache, convulsions and depression [83]. In the body, aspartame is transformed into phenylalanine (Phy), aspartic acid and methanol. These metabolites can affect the neurochemical state of the brain and influence the level of neurotransmitters [12].
Can diabetics drink Coke Zero? ›A. No, zero sugar soda uses artificial sweeteners, which increases people's weight. Increased weight, in turn, is linked to the worsening of diabetes. Hence, zero soda is not suitable for diabetes.
Why is Coke Zero being discontinued? ›Social media users were quick to ask Coca-Cola whether the rumours were true, to which the company replied: “We can confirm it's not being discontinued in GB!” It replied to other users who asked the same question, stating: “Not on our watch!” and “Don't worry, Coke Zero is here to stay!”
What diet soda has no caffeine? ›- Pepsi Zero Sugar (12 fl. oz., 36 pk.) Current price: $0.00. Select club.
- Diet Pepsi (12 oz. cans, 36 pk.) Current price: $0.00. Select club.
- Manzanita Sol Soda Apple (12 fl. oz., 24 pk.) Current price: $0.00. Select club.
- Pepsi (16.9 fl. oz., 24 pk.) current price: $13.98$13. Current price: $13.98.
Mountain Dew has more caffeine than Coke, which has 34 mg of caffeine per every 12 fluid oz. can and equals the caffeine content of Coke Zero. Also, Coca-Cola with coffee has 69 mg of caffeine per every 12 fluid oz, and there is triple the caffeine in coffee vs different soda drinks.
What are the benefits of Coke Zero? ›The main difference between coke and coke zero is the sugar content. When drinking coke zero as opposed to regular coke, you are consuming significantly less sugar which is a positive for weight loss and reduces the risk of weight-related diseases.
Which zero soda has the most caffeine? ›Pepsi Zero Sugar has the highest caffeine content amongst regular sodas. Zero Sugar sodas have more caffeine than regular sodas. The FDA recommends a caffeine limit of 400 mg per day for healthy adults.
Which zero sugar soda has the most caffeine? ›
- Diet Mountain Dew. ...
- Pepsi ONE. ...
- Diet Cheerwine. ...
- Diet RC Cola. ...
- TaB. ...
- Diet Coke. Per 12oz can: 46.5mg caffeine. ...
- Diet Sunkist Orange Soda. Per 12oz can: 41.5mg caffeine. ...
- Diet Dr Pepper. Per 12oz can: 41mg caffeine.
Drinking a reasonable amount of diet soda a day, such as a can or two, isn't likely to hurt you. The artificial sweeteners and other chemicals currently used in diet soda are safe for most people, and there's no credible evidence that these ingredients cause cancer.
What is the healthiest Coke? ›Diet Coke is a low-calorie and sugar-free cold beverage alternative to regular Coca-Cola (coke). Unlike regular coke which contains table sugar, diet coke contains artificial sweeteners like aspartame and cyclamates to sweeten them.
Does Coke Zero spike insulin? ›No, Coke Zero does not spike insulin levels. Coke Zero is a sugar-free, low-calorie carbonated beverage that does not contain any sugar or carbohydrates. This means that it will not cause a spike in insulin levels the way that regular soda or other sugary beverages can.
Does water flush out caffeine? ›Water can help flush caffeine out of your system and keep you properly hydrated. Indications of caffeine withdrawal include drowsiness, headaches, irritability or trouble concentrating, but symptoms should last only a few days.
How do you get caffeine out of your system ASAP? ›- Physical Activity. Drinking caffeine increases adrenaline in the body, and performing a physical activity is the only way to burn it off. ...
- Drinking Water. The first method of working caffeine through the body is to drink water. ...
- Eating Food. ...
- Waiting. ...
- Try New Drinks.
You drink more than 4 cups of coffee a day
Nervousness. Irritability. Frequent urination or inability to control urination. Fast heartbeat.
| Soft drinks | Serving size | Caffeine (mg) |
|---|---|---|
| Ginger ale, most brands | 12 oz. | 0 |
| Mug Root Beer—diet or regular | 12 oz. | 0 |
| Stewart's Orange 'n Cream—diet or regular | 12 oz. | 0 |
| Stewart's Root Beer—diet or regular | 12 oz. | 0 |
McDonald's Fanta® Orange is a caffeine-free soda that makes it a perfect addition to any of your favorite McDonald's items. Available in small, medium and large fountain drink sizes. There are 150 calories in a small Fanta® Orange at McDonald's. *At participating McDonald's.
Does Dr Pepper have caffeine? ›Some of the more common national-brand carbonated beverages analyzed in this study with their caffeine contents were Coca-Cola (33.9 mg/12 oz), Diet Coke (46.3 mg/12 oz), Pepsi (38.9 mg/12 oz), Diet Pepsi (36.7 mg/12 oz), Dr Pepper (42.6 mg/12 oz), Diet Dr Pepper (44.1 mg/12 oz), Mountain Dew (54.8 mg/12 oz), and Diet ...
What is Coke Zero being replaced with? ›
A brand new Coke Zero Sugar will replace Coke Zero and Coke No Sugar - an announcement that's been quietly made.
What is the recall on Coke Zero? ›Coca-Cola is recalling a limited number of Coca-Cola Zero Sugar multipacks with Christmas cardboard because some packs have been wrongly boxed and may contain Coca-Cola Original taste. This makes the product a potential risk to consumers who need to manage their sugar intake.
How much caffeine is too much? ›“Caffeine can be a part of a healthy diet, especially when it's consumed in moderation,” says Robert Watterson, MD, a Geisinger internal medicine physician. “Everyone reacts differently, but consumption above 400 milligrams is typically when people feel the side effects.”
Why does McDonald's Coke taste the best? ›Typically, restaurants get their soda syrups in plastic bags, but Coca-Cola does something different for McDonald's. The fast-food chain gets its Coke syrup delivered in stainless steel tanks. According to the New York Times, the material keeps the soda fresher, and your tongue can taste the difference.
Why does McDonald's Coke taste nicer? ›While most fast food restaurants have their Coca-Cola syrup delivered to them in plastic bags, McDonald's gets their syrup specially delivered in stainless steel tanks. The special tanks keep the syrup fresh and protect it from light, temperature, air, and anything else that might take away from its delicious flavor.
What does caffeine do to your body? ›Caffeine is a stimulant, which means it increases activity in your brain and nervous system. It also increases the circulation of chemicals such as cortisol and adrenaline in the body. In small doses, caffeine can make you feel refreshed and focused.
Can you live longer without caffeine? ›All types of coffee were linked with a reduction in death from any cause. The greatest risk reduction seen with two to three cups per day, which compared to no coffee drinking was associated with a 14%, 27% and 11% lower likelihood of death for decaffeinated, ground, and instant preparations, respectively.
Will quitting caffeine make me happier? ›Many people who quit caffeine find that the boost they experience in their sleep quality results in them feeling happier and more energized. In individuals who are prone to experiencing depression, anxiety, or irritability, regular caffeine consumption can make these feelings worse.
How long does caffeine stay in your system? ›The level of caffeine in your blood peaks about one hour later and stays at this level for several hours for most people. Six hours after caffeine is consumed, half of it is still in your body. It can take up to 10 hours to completely clear caffeine from your bloodstream.
Is Coke no sugar no caffeine bad? ›Artificially sweetened beverages like Coke Zero have been linked to other health issues, including: Increased risk of heart disease. An observational study found a link between artificially sweetened beverages and an increased risk of heart disease among women with no prior history of heart disease ( 19 ).
What is healthier coffee or Coke Zero? ›
Cola vs black coffee
Coffee is the clear winner, particularly if you don't add sugar! Cola has 43 times more calories than the same volume of long black. A can of cola contains about ten teaspoons of sugar and virtually no nutrients.
The amount of caffeine in our cola soft drinks is relatively small, 9.6 - 12.8 milligrams of caffeine per 100ml serving or 24 - 32mg per 250mL cup, less caffeine than a cup of instant coffee (which is approximately 77.5mg per 250mL cup).
What soda has the least caffeine? ›| Soft drinks | Serving size | Caffeine (mg) |
|---|---|---|
| Ginger ale, most brands | 12 oz. | 0 |
| Mug Root Beer—diet or regular | 12 oz. | 0 |
| Stewart's Orange 'n Cream—diet or regular | 12 oz. | 0 |
| Stewart's Root Beer—diet or regular | 12 oz. | 0 |
Coke Zero has an almost identical ingredient list, except that it uses aspartame and acesulfame potassium as sweetening agents while Diet Coke just uses aspartame. Additionally, the flavors used in Coke Zero make it taste different than Diet Coke and it is also lower in caffeine.
What is healthier beer or Coke Zero? ›Sodas have ZERO health benefits. They contain zero vitamins or minerals. Beer has some of these, but not enough to provide a substantial amount of micronutrients to stop taking your vitamins.
What soda has the most caffeine? ›Wrapping Up: What soda has the most caffeine? Amongst regular sodas, Pepsi Zero Sugar contains the most caffeine. Gulping a 12 oz can of this soft drink gives you 69 milligrams. Most healthy adults can safely consume 400 mg of caffeine per day.
How much caffeine is enough to keep you awake? ›Be strategic with your coffee or energy drink and you'll get an extended boost in alertness. Most people need about 100 milligrams (mg) to 200 mg of caffeine, depending on their body weight, Rosekind says.
What is 15 mg of caffeine equivalent to? ›A single espresso and espresso-based drinks contain 75 mg, while an 8-oz cup of decaf coffee contains about 15 mg of caffeine.
Does Coke Zero raise blood sugar? ›Does Coke Zero Raise Blood Sugar? In the short term, Coke Zero Sugar will not raise blood sugar levels. This is because artificial sweeteners have no carbohydrate content nor glycemic load. However, some research suggests that sweeteners may have an effect on blood sugar levels in the long term.