If you have stepped inside a grocery or convenience store recently, you’ve likely been overwhelmed by the sheer number of soda choices available. There are dozens of brands and flavors out there to provide you with drinks you enjoy. Of course, you’ll also find caffeine-free versions of popular sodas on the shelf.
One of the most popular of these is Coca-Cola Caffeine-Free. This version of the original Coca-Cola is geared toward people who are watching their caffeine intake but still want the great flavor of their favorite soda. The real question, however, is do they honor their claims? Is there caffeine hidden in Coca-Cola Caffeine-Free? The answer to that question is no. There is no caffeine hiding inside your can of Coca-Cola Caffeine-Free.
What Is Coca-Cola Caffeine-Free?
It isn’t difficult to figure out Coca-Cola Caffeine-Free. With so many people enjoying the taste of Coca-Cola it only made sense for the company to branch out and offer a version that people who wanted to monitor their caffeine intake or had caffeine sensitivities could enjoy. Therefore, in 1983, this caffeine-free version was born. Unfortunately, it didn’t last long. In 1985, Coca-Cola switched its formula and even Coca-Cola Caffeine-Free was forced to embrace the New Coke formula that wasn’t well accepted by soda lovers.
The New Coke formula didn’t last long with the original Coca-Cola but the caffeine-free version was stuck with it up until 1989. The switchback of the formula didn’t do a lot to help Coca-Cola Caffeine-Free’s popularity though. As one of the less popular drinks on Coca-Cola’s roster, when the aluminum shortage and other effects of COVID-19 hit the world, Coca-Cola Caffeine-Free was one of the flavors that were produced less. Now, if you step into a store in search of one of these drinks, you may not have a lot of luck.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BrDwUKjANQJ/
Do They Taste the Same?
For soda drinkers, hearing that they are getting the caffeine-free version of a drink is off-putting. But do they really taste different? Yes, they do, but the difference isn’t major. Caffeine is a bitter substance. Soda companies use it to balance out the sugar they add to drinks. When you get a caffeine-free version, the bitterness is gone. This means in most situations the caffeine-free version will taste sweeter or richer. You’ll also notice that caffeine-free drinks are not as sharp or crisp as their caffeinated versions. This can often be the reason people prefer to steer clear of these versions.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BBWOMQOANoI/
Is There a Lot of Caffeine in Original Coca-Cola?
When comparing sodas to coffee or energy drinks, the caffeine in each can is relatively small. It is the number of sodas a person drinks per day that can cause them to have issues with the caffeine inside. Let’s take a look at the caffeine amounts of some popular sodas so you can understand the comparison.
| Coca-Cola Caffeine-Free | 0 mg of caffeine |
| Coca-Cola | 34 mg of caffeine |
| Pepsi | 51 mg of caffeine |
| Dr. Pepper | 41 mg of caffeine |
| Mtn. Dew | 55 mg of caffeine |
Final Thoughts
As you can see, Coca-Cola Caffeine-Free is one of the soft drinks on the market that claims to have no caffeine inside and honors it. If you struggle with caffeine, are on certain medications, or simply want to avoid caffeine in your diet, this drink is a safe option. Feel free to enjoy the taste of a Coca-Cola Caffeine-Free without worrying about hidden caffeine inside.
Featured Image Credit: Amazon
