Coffee vs. Soda: The Difference With Caffeine, Acidity, And More (2024)

Coffee Facts

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By Nicole Turner

Last updated: December 14, 2021

At least a few times a week, many people around the world have a habitual addiction to drink either a cup of coffee or a can of soda. These days, especially when it comes to being stuck at home, we are all looking for ways to keep healthy and fit.

It may be easy to grab a 24 pack of soda from the store, but let’s investigate further why that may or may not be such a great life choice.

What is healthier co*ke or coffee?

Some days you just want to reach into the fridge for an ice-cold bottle of co*ke to get that sugar rush in or add a little caffeine spike into your day. However, when it comes to your health benefits, you may want to seriously think again.

Studies have shown that consumingone can of sodaper day, either sugar-sweetened or diet, can increase a person’s risk of stroke over time by 16 percent!

Although soda can help with basic hydration, it has little nutritive value and therefore is not very beneficial to your health. Soda also has incredibly high levels of sugar, which can lead to a heightened risk of inflammation and a variety of other diseases and health problems.

But what about coffee? Well, when it comes to coffee vs soda, coffee definitely seems to be in the lead due to the benefits of its caffeine levels. However, not all coffee is created equally. It depends on what you are making at home or order in a local cafe. If you’re going for a shot of espresso or a straight black coffee, then it is definitely a healthier option. Tea would also be another wonderful alternative to consider while trying to avoid excess sugar.

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However, let’s not forget the world of creamy cafe breves, sugary frappuccinos, and huge serving sizes; where sugar is king and the calorie intake can more than outweigh the health benefits received from the caffeine.

Coffee vs. Soda: The Difference With Caffeine, Acidity, And More (2)

What’s more acidic coffee or soda?

One thing you don’t hear a lot of people discuss is the amount of acid in soda. While both coffee and any drink including coffee are associated with being acidic, it actually has a lower pH level than soda does.

Careful though, the pH levels and the state of being acidic are not to be confused with the actual acidity of the coffee.

When it comes to acidity, it also plays a crucial role in the taste of this daily drink. In its natural state of being green coffee, coffee contains various types of both good and bad acids. Some of these acids disappear during the roasting process, but some don’t.

The main culprits are acids known as chlorogenic acid and quinic acid.

Chlorogenic acids, also known as antioxidants, are usually broken down during the roasting process. Hence, why people often equate coffee beans that are roasted longer and darker with the perception of lower acidity when tasted.

Whatever chlorogenic acids are not broken down during the coffee roasting process then turn into quinic acid. This type of acid is found in darker roasted coffee beans and is responsible for a sometimes sour sensation in your stomach after drinking coffee.

Can of co*ke vs coffee for caffeine?

Getting back to soda, specifically co*ke, and the caffeine intake that can come from both drinks. Who do you think the winner will be for caffeine in coffee vs soda?

If you guessed that coffee has a higher caffeine rate, you are correct! A 12-oz cup of coffee has at least 140 mg of caffeine or more in it. That’s around three to four times more caffeine than co*ke!

You may be shocked to learn that Diet co*ke actually contains more caffeine than its regular counterpart.

According to the Coca-Cola website, regular co*ke’s caffeine content is 34mg for a 12-oz can, while Diet co*ke’s caffeine content is 46mg.

But is there such thing as too much caffeine? Check out the great video by Coca-Cola on the recommended limit of caffeine per day.

Which soda has the most caffeine?

Too much caffeine is never a good thing, but what if you need a good pick me up at night?

Coffee contains more caffeine than tea, and both are certainly better for your health than any energy drinks on the market. However, if you’re craving a bit more sugar, soda may be a better choice to have on hand.

Pepsi One has been known to be the soda with the most caffeine in it. With a whopping 57.1 mg of caffeine, it should be your go-to beverage with nearly double the amount of caffeine as regular co*ke.

Coffee vs. Soda: The Difference With Caffeine, Acidity, And More (3)

The verdict

If you need something to keep you up late, choose wisely, a regular shot of espresso or an 8-ounce cup of brewed black coffee may be the boost you need rather than a weaker drink like soda.

When it comes to your health, both coffee and even tea have health benefits that support free radicals and may prevent diseases such as Parkinson’s, heart disease, liver disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s, gallstones, and can also aid in weight loss.

Adding sugar, syrups, cream, or creamers to your coffee will add some calories and possible health risks. If you’re looking out for these kinds of things, tea is a great option to keep your sugar low. But if you’re not a fan of tea and coffee has your heart, you can never go wrong with a straight black cuppa joe.

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Coffee vs. Soda: The Difference With Caffeine, Acidity, And More (2024)

FAQs

Which is more acidic coffee or soda? ›

Coffee drinkers will be delighted to hear, however, in general, coffee tends to be less acidic and therefore less erosive than sodas. Another factor to consider is tooth staining.

Is there a difference between caffeine in soda and coffee? ›

People are often surprised when they learn that the amount of caffeine in co*ke or Diet co*ke is much less than in the same-sized coffee. co*ke's caffeine content is 34mg for a 12-oz can, and Diet co*ke caffeine content is 46mg. That's three to four times less than coffee!

What's worse for you, soda or coffee? ›

Coffee Has More Health Benefits Than Soda

At worst, the calories in sugar-laden sodas has devastating consequences on people's cardiovascular systems and waistlines. When consumed in moderation, coffee has many health benefits. Drinking too much of it will lead to a caffeine dependence and interfere with sleep.

What's worse for you, coffee or energy drinks? ›

“It's not to say that enjoying an energy drink every once in a while is a bad thing,” says Kerner. “But because coffee is a natural, plant-derived food that contains vitamins, antioxidants and other nutrients, without added sugar, I'd recommend it as the healthier choice over most energy drinks.”

Is soda or coffee worse for acid reflux? ›

So when it comes to drinks, it is more about avoiding triggers. Some of the drinks to avoid include: Coffee: There is evidence to show that coffee can lead to reflux symptoms — regardless of caffeine level. Soda: Evidence suggests that soda is associated with reflux and heartburn.

What sodas are the most acidic? ›

In fact, regular and diet sodas are almost as corrosive to tooth enamel as battery acid. According to studies, RC Cola, Cherry co*ke and co*ke are the most acidic soft drinks. But other sodas, like Pepsi, Squirt, Surge, 7 Up and Diet 7 Up, are also damaging to tooth enamel as well.

Should I replace soda with coffee? ›

But swapping out soda for drinks that are low in sugar, such as unsweetened iced coffee or tea, can reduce your sugar intake while adding beneficial antioxidants to your diet, notes earlier research.

What soda has no caffeine? ›

You can buy caffeine-free versions of many popular sodas including co*ke, Pepsi, and Dr Pepper. And almost all lemon-lime sodas, ginger ales, and carbonated waters are caffeine-free.

Why does caffeine in coffee affect me more than soda? ›

Although both coffee and soda get their caffeine from plants, the amount of caffeine that you can find in a soda is still generally lower than you can get from coffee. To get the same amount of caffeine from a soda, you may need to consume at least twice the serving amount you get from a single serving of coffee.

Why is soda not good for you? ›

It contains no essential nutrients — no vitamins, minerals or fiber — and regular soda is full of calories. Drinking sugary soft drinks has been linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, weight gain, fatty liver disease and an increased risk of heart disease and cancer.

How acidic is coffee? ›

That's right; coffee acidity depends on a range of factors such as growing region, varietal, brew method, roast style and more. But it's always acidic and generally has a pH of between 4.85 and 5.10. This is less acidic than orange juice (pH 3.9) and a tad more acidic than dairy milk (pH 6.5).

Is soda worse for your liver than beer? ›

When you choose a sugary soda instead of alcohol every day, you may think you're doing your liver a favor. But that daily soft drink can be harmful, especially to your liver — as damaging as alcohol can be. Once it reaches the liver, the sugar in beverages can get converted into fat that's stored in liver cells.

Is caffeine bad for your heart? ›

Drinking caffeine promotes the release of noradrenaline and norepinephrine which can increase heart rate and blood pressure in some individuals. For most people this is well tolerated, but for others it may lead to palpitations or extra beats from the heart.

Is taurine bad for your teeth? ›

Taurine. The main problem with taurine is that it is a very acidic compound. Acidity overall is bad for your teeth since it can ruin your tooth enamel. This can make your teeth prone to infection, as well as sensitivity, among others.

What is the least acidic soft drink? ›

More Soda Facts

For perspective, battery acid rates at 1.0 on the pH scale, while Cola is not too far away at 2.387! Root Beer surprisingly has the least acidity of all other soft drink options.

Is coffee the most acidic drink? ›

For most people, drinking a cup of coffee with a pH level of 5.0 is perfectly fine. In comparison, other common drinks are much more acidic. Orange juice has a pH of about 3.3 to 4.2. Sodas, such as co*ke and Cherry co*ke, have a pH of about 2.5.

What drinks are not acidic? ›

Herbal teas (chamomile, licorice, and ginger), low fat milk, plant-based milk (oat, flax, or almond milk), smoothies, coconut water, and nonacidic juices (cucumber, carrot, and aloe vera) may help you manage acid reflux symptoms. Remember to opt for unsweetened and noncarbonated drinks.

What is the least acidic energy drink? ›

The energy drinks tested showed more than a two fold increase in the destruction of tooth enamel than other sports drinks such as various flavors of Gatorade and Powerade products. Mountain Dew MDX had the lowest acidity of the energy drinks tested.

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