“Does Diet Dr. Pepper have caffeine?” Yes, this soda does contain caffeine, but there’s a caffeine-free option.
As a lifelong Dr. Pepper fan, I must be careful when I drink it. If I consume regularly or diet too close to bedtime, the caffeine will keep me up all night.
That doesn’t mean you or I must give up regular or Diet Dr. Pepper.
Read on to have all your questions answered and find out exactly how much caffeine Diet Dr. Pepper has, how it compares to coffee or Diet Coke, and if it’s the better choice.
How Much Caffeine Does a Diet Dr. Pepper Have?
Each fluid ounce (fl oz) has about 3.42 milligrams of caffeine. That means your average 12-ounce can have roughly 41 mg of caffeine.
Caffeine will be slightly less if you opt for Diet Cherry or Cherry Vanilla soda. A can of those flavors will give you roughly 39 mg of caffeine.
A Diet Dr. Pepper has much caffeine compared to other soft drinks. However, it doesn’t have nearly as much as many energy drinks.
Diet Dr. Pepper Nutrition Facts
You should know about the other nutrition facts that Diet Dr. Pepper cans contain along with the caffeine. Then, you can ensure you stay healthy while indulging in soda.
As a diet soda, it doesn’t have any calories. The total fat, carbohydrates, sugar, and protein are also zero. However, Diet Dr. Pepper does contain 60 mg of sodium per 12-fl oz can.
Of course, these nutrition facts can make it seem like Diet Dr. Pepper is a healthy option. It can be an excellent alternative to regular Dr. Pepper if you want to lower your calorie intake.
How Much Caffeine Is in Diet Dr. Pepper Compared to Coffee?
Diet Dr. Pepper contains less caffeine than a cup of coffee. The exact difference depends on the type of coffee you want to drink.
For example, eight ounces of drip coffee contains between 115 and 175 mg of caffeine. A 2-ounce espresso shot has about 100 mg of caffeine.
Meanwhile, you’ll get about 80 to 135 mg of caffeine with eight ounces of brewed coffee.
Instant coffee contains anywhere from 65 to 100 mg. Diet Dr. Pepper comes in under all those options with 41 mg per 12 ounces or about 27.33 mg every eight ounces.
That means coffee contains anywhere from two to five times as much caffeine as soda.
Of course, the one exception is decaf black coffee. However, you’ll still get about two to four mg of caffeine every eight ounces of the drink.
Which Has More Caffeine Diet Coke or Diet, Dr. Pepper?
Diet Coke contains about 45.6 mg of caffeine in a 12-ounce can. While that’s not much higher than the 41 mg in Diet Dr. Pepper, it can add up.
If you go through a pack of six cans, you will get an extra 27.6 mg of caffeine from Diet Coke. After every 12-pack, you’d increase your caffeine consumption by 55.2 mg.
Meanwhile, Diet Dr. Pepper has more caffeine than regular Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Sprite, and root beer.
However, you’ll have a higher caffeine intake if you choose Mountain Dew, Diet Mountain Dew, or Red Bull.
Is Diet Dr. Pepper Healthy for You?
Diet Dr. Pepper may not have calories, but that doesn’t make it healthy. You can drink one or two cans of soda daily, and should be fine.
The soda contains aspartame, which some belief will cause cancer. However, credible studies haven’t been able to prove those claims.
It also contains a preservative to maintain the flavor.x
Consider regular or carbonated water, unsweetened tea, milk, or black coffee for healthier drinks.
Those drinks are easy to come by and have plenty of nutrients but less sugar than soda.
Is Diet Dr. Pepper Good for Weight Loss?
Unfortunately, Diet Dr. Pepper isn’t the best option if you want to lose weight. On the one hand, it does mean you’ll consume fewer calories.
A 12-ounce can of regular Dr. Pepper contains about 150 calories, which adds up.
However, some studies have found that diet sodas can increase sugar cravings. When that happens, you may eat more food and consume more calories than you would otherwise.
Even if you don’t eat more, losing weight involves more than your calorie intake. You need to fill your body with nutrient-dense foods and beverages.
Diet Dr. Pepper doesn’t have a lot of nutrients, so you might need to consume other things to fill that void.
Does Diet Dr. Pepper Have Artificial Sweeteners?
Diet Dr. Pepper contains aspartame to sweeten the drink. The artificial sweetener is much sweeter than regular sugar.
You only need to add a bit of it to the soda, which gives it a sweet taste without adding as many calories as a standard Dr. Pepper.
Drinking the occasional can of Diet Dr. Pepper should be fine for most people. However, too much consumption of aspartame could lead to diabetes.
Be sure you monitor your consumption of artificial sweeteners and artificial flavors. Treating yourself with diet soda shouldn’t be a problem if most of your diet is relatively healthy.
What Are the Side Effects of Drinking Diet Dr. Pepper?
Like other diet sodas, drinking too much Diet Dr. Pepper can lead to problems. First, the acidic makeup of the soda could erode your tooth enamel over time.
Aspartame might also cause headaches, and it could even decrease the density of your bones. As mentioned, the sweetener can lead to more sugar cravings.
Those cravings could then lead to weight gain.
Drinking too much diet soda could also negatively affect your gut health. The soda may disrupt the natural gut microbiome, which could affect your immune system and keep you from absorbing nutrients from your food.
Is It Bad to Drink Diet Dr. Pepper Every Day?
Drinking one or two cans of Diet Dr. Pepper daily might be okay. However, it would be best to try reducing your soda consumption.
It may taste good, but it comes with many potential health risks. You could gain weight, develop headaches, or even develop type 2 diabetes.
Instead of drinking it every day, have Diet Dr. Pepper once or twice per week. Consume water, tea, or other healthy alternatives on the other days.
Is Diet Dr. Pepper Better Than Regular?
Diet Dr. Pepper is technically a bit healthier than regular Dr. Pepper. The diet version has fewer calories or as much natural sugar.
Unlike some other sodas, the regular and diet versions taste pretty similar.
However, trying both sodas to see which you prefer would be best. Then, you can enjoy either drink as an occasional treat.
Where Can I Find Caffeine-Free Dr. Pepper?
Diet Dr. Pepper doesn’t have as much caffeine as coffee or energy drinks. However, the contents can add up, especially if you have more than one can daily.
Fortunately, you can buy caffeine-free Dr. Pepper or Diet Dr. Pepper. These options are available at major stores like Walmart, Rite Aid, and Albertsons.
Another option is to buy soda on Amazon.
The caffeine-free version is excellent if you don’t tolerate caffeine. You may also want some on hand for those evenings when you crave soda but don’t want trouble falling asleep.
Conclusion: Does Diet Dr. Pepper Have Caffeine?
The standard Diet Dr. Pepper you buy from the grocery store or restaurant has caffeine. You’ll get about 3.42 mg of caffeine for every ounce of soda.
The quantity is relatively low compared to sodas, coffee, and energy drinks. However, you may want to find caffeine-free Dr. Pepper if you don’t want extra energy.