No, 7-Up does not contain any caffeine. All 7-Up products, including regular 7-Up, zero sugar 7-Up, and simple 7-Up, are caffeine-free.
7-Up doesn’t contain caffeine because it doesn’t contain any cola. Colas like Coke and Pepsi are highly caffeinated, with 35-45 mg of caffeine in 12 ounces of soda.
Ingredients in 7-Up
7-Up doesn’t contain any caffeine or cola, but it does include other elements you may be interested in learning more about. Let’s start with the original 7-Up.
The original 7-Up, with 140 calories in a 12-fluid ounce can, contains the following ingredients.
Filtered Carbonated Water
Filtered carbonated water is the primary ingredient in many sodas because it makes up most of the beverage’s volume.
When water is carbonated, it has carbon dioxide added, which creates bubbles and helps give soda its characteristic fizz.
Drinking carbonated water alone is nothing dangerous; drinking it alone is a great way to stay hydrated.
However, carbonated drinks have other ingredients, such as large amounts of sugar, that can affect your weight and dental health.
High Fructose Corn Syrup
High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a liquid sweetener from corn starch. Manufacturers widely use HFCS in sodas and other products to add sweetness without changing the flavor.
HFCS has received a negative reputation due to many studies linking it to obesity and increased risk of cancer, so it’s essential only to consume it in moderation, if at all.
Citric Acid
Citric acid is an organic acid that gives 7-Up its distinctive sour flavor. It doesn’t contain any caffeine and is generally considered safe to consume, but it does add a lot of acidity to the beverage.
Potassium Citrate
Potassium citrate is a type of salt added to 7-Up to balance out the drink’s acidity from ingredients like citric acid and supports the beverage’s tart flavor.
Potassium is an essential nutrient that plays a vital role in the functioning of our bodies, such as helping to regulate blood sugar.
Natural Flavors
7-Up contains natural fruit flavors, such as lemon, lime, and orange.
Calcium disodium EDTA
Calcium disodium EDTA might sound a bit nerve-racking, but its primary purpose is to help protect the flavors contained in 7Up.
Other 7-Up Types
Other flavors of 7-Up may have similar ingredients, such as sugar and citric acid, but there are differences between each one.
For example, the Simple 7-Up contains stevia leaf extract, a natural sweetener derived from the stevia plant, instead of high fructose corn syrup.
The Zero Sugar 7Up doesn’t contain any sugar, as its name implies. Instead, it incorporates aspartame and acesulfame potassium to sweeten the beverage.
Additionally, Cherry 7Up, Zero Sugar Cherry 7Up, and Diet Cherry 7Up all contain natural flavors that taste like cherries and Red40 food dye.
Is 7-Up Good for Weight Loss?
Given that 7-Up doesn’t contain caffeine or cola, does it have any benefits for weight loss? Unfortunately, this belief is doubtful.
The Original
The original 7-Up contains 140 calories per can. Although this number may not sound like a lot, calories can quickly increase.
Additionally, the 38 grams of sugar in 7-Up not only makes it unhealthy to drink but also makes it addictive to drink.
Sugar is addictive, so it’s challenging to drink soda moderately, which means the calories may add up even more.
7-Up Zero Sugar
You may assume that because 7-Up Zero Sugar doesn’t contain any sugar, it can help with weight loss.
It won’t be as damaging to your weight loss goals as the original 7Up might be. However, 7-Up Zero Sugar contains the same amount of sodium – 45 grams.
Not only can high levels of sodium raise blood pressure, but it can also make you feel hungrier, thus eating more and gaining more weight.
Simple 7-Up
The 7-Up company markets the newer “Simple 7Up” as having all-natural ingredients. These ingredients lead to slightly fewer calories, somewhat less sodium, and not so much sugar.
But the difference is minimal and does not make Simple 7-Up a diet drink. You should still consume this type of soda in moderation if you are trying to shed some weight.
7-Up Compared to Other Drinks
Now, we’ll compare 7-Up to other drinks regarding caffeine, calories, and other health concerns.
Coffee
Coffee contains caffeine and has some calories, especially if you put a lot of additional ingredients in it, like milk or sugar.
However, it also offers some health benefits, such as reducing internal inflammation thanks to its antioxidant properties.
Coffee doesn’t contain any sugar or sodium, so it’s a much healthier option than 7-Up for those trying to lose weight.
However, if people have sleep problems, it’s best to avoid coffee due to its high caffeine content – about 95 mg per cup.
Alternatively, you can green tea that doesn’t have much caffeine in it at all.
Lemon-Lime Soda
Clear sodas like Sprite and Sierra Mist are also lemon-lime sodas without caffeine and contain less sugar than 7-Up.
For example, a 12 oz can of Sprite contains 33 grams of sugar, and a 12 oz Sierra mist contains 37 grams.
Alternatively, a 12 oz can of 7-Up contains 38 grams, slightly higher than Sprite and Sierra Mist.
All three of these lemon-lime sodas are similar, and all three brands offer alternative products for those looking to cut calories and sugar or try a different flavor.
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola does contain caffeine, with 34 mg per 12 fl oz can. It also has 39 grams of sugar and 40 mg of sodium.
That makes it a very unhealthy option for those trying to lose pounds or watch their caffeine intake.
Compared to Coca-Cola, 7-Up is a better choice if you want to experience the benefits of a caffeine-free diet, such as:
- Improved sleep
- Improved energy levels long-term
- Reduced anxiety
- Enhanced concentration long-term
- Better overall mental health
Compared to 7-Up, Coca-Cola is a better choice if you want to experience the benefits of caffeine, such as:
- Staying awake and alert
- Feeling temporarily more energized
- Improved temporary focus and concentration
- Better physical performance
Regarding overall physical health, 7-Up and Coca-Cola are similar in that they are unhealthy for your daily diet. Diet coke and other diet sodas aren’t much better, given their link to type-2 diabetes.
Water
Since water is technically the number one ingredient in 7-Up, it’s fair to compare the two beverages.
However, water is a clear winner when it comes to health. It doesn’t contain any calories, sugar, or sodium. Plus, it’s the best way to keep your body hydrated.
In terms of taste, 7-Up may win the comparison for many people. 7-Up has a fruity, citrus flavor that many people find delicious. It also goes swimmingly in cocktails due to its lemon-lime notes.
According to the personal preference of many people, water doesn’t have much taste, so it’s not as exciting to drink.
Conclusion
7-Up is not a caffeinated drink, and it’s similar to Sprite, Sierra Mist, and other Mountain Dew-like citrus drinks.
The most popular soda drinks may or may not have any amount of caffeine, but most are not ideal for drinking every day if you want to lose weight or maintain a healthy lifestyle.
You can find a more suitable beverage like water, which contains zero sugar or calories, for a healthier choice. There are limits to how much 7-Up you can drink, but no hard limits to how much water you can drink!