Want to know what’s all the hype about Coca-Cola Energy Drink? Why not begin by looking at its caffeine and ingredients.
If you’re looking for the short answer, each 12 fl.oz can of Coca-Cola Energy contains 114mg of caffeine, 140 calories, and 39g of sugar.
For a full rundown of its ingredients, what they mean, as well as the caffeine content. Just keep reading!
The Nutrition Facts Of Coca-Cola Energy
Let’s start by looking at the nutritional values of a 12 fl.oz can of Coca-Cola Energy:
| Typical Value (Standard Serving) | Coca-Cola Energy (12 fl.oz) |
| Energy | 140 calories |
| Protein | 0g |
| Fat (Of which Saturated) | 0g (0g) |
| Carbohydrates (Of which Sugars) | 39 (39g) |
| Caffeine | 114mg |
How Many Calories Are There In Coca-Cola Energy?
Coca-Cola Energy has 140 calories in each 12 fl.oz can, and I think that’s a typical amount for an energy drink.
Although the 140 calories in Coca-Cola Energy is well below the recommended daily limit of 2,000 – 2,500 calories, I still think there are other options out there with better caloric content.
But of course, there’s no harm in trying out this drink. Plus, I think its calorie content can be an added advantage if you’re someone who goes to the gym often and need some extra calories to burn off.
While calorie monitoring helps you maintain a healthy weight and avoid obesity, you should also avoid making energy drinks a meal replacement because your body still needs nutrients from food.
The Ingredients In Coca-Cola Energy
Next, have a quick look at all the ingredients you can find in each can of Coca-Cola Energy:
- Carbonated water
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Glucose
- Caffeine
- Guarana Extract
- Citric Acid
- Caramel color
- Sodium Bicarbonate
- Phosphoric Acid
- Vitamins B3 (Niacinamide)
- Vitamins B6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride)
- Sodium Benzoate
- Potassium Sorbate
Coca-Cola Energy Caffeine Content
There’s about 114mg of caffeine in Coca-Cola Energy per 12 fl.oz serving.
In my opinion, Coca-Cola Energy’s 114mg of caffeine is a little too much. But this is only because I prefer my energy drinks to have around 50mg to 100mg of caffeine only.
Taking too much caffeine causes my heart to palpitate and makes me feel jittery. This is why I usually stay below the 100mg mark.
While its caffeine content goes beyond my personal limit, it’s a good amount if you’re someone who has a high caffeine metabolism. Plus, that much caffeine can definitely help keep you awake and alert.
Furthermore, the FDA recommends a daily caffeine limit of no more than 400mg for healthy adults, hence drinking Coca-Cola Energy won’t make you exceed the limit. In fact, it’ll take you up to four cans of this drink to actually go overboard.
That said, it’s still best to control yourself by staying below the recommended limit as overconsumption of caffeine can trigger:
- Restlessness
- Jittery feeling
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Rapid
- Palpitations
- Dehydration
- Anxiety
- Dependency
In addition, caffeine can cause you to crash. If you lack sleep and are relying on caffeine, you’ll have a higher chance of experiencing headaches, excessive tiredness, and irritability.
Thus, regardless of whether or not Coca-Cola Energy has moderate caffeine content, it’s best to follow a proper sleeping schedule and watch your overall caffeine intake for the day.
Coca-Cola Energy Sugar Content
A 12 fl.oz of Coca-Cola Energy contains 39g of sugar, and this amount of sugar can be detrimental to your health if you’re not cautious.
Not only do I think 39g of sugar in a single serving is way too much sugar, but that amount also goes way beyond AHA‘s recommendation for the daily sugar limit.
For reference, the recommended sugar limit for women is 25g and 36g for men a day. So, you’ll definitely go above the limit with just one can of Coca-Cola Energy.
That said, I wouldn’t recommend having a high sugary energy drink in anyone’s diet as it can lead to serious health issues such as:
- Weight gain
- Acne
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Depression
While Coca-Cola Energy has a pretty average amount of caffeine, its sugar content is alarming. That’s why I highly recommend you going for energy drinks that have lesser sugar or even sugar-free ones.
But if you’re still interested in having this drink, it’s best to have Coca-Cola Energy occasionally and only limit yourself to one can.
Other Ingredients
High Fructose Corn Syrup
High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is a type of artificial sweetener that comes from corn syrup. You can find it in almost all processed food and sugary drinks we consume.
While the HFCS level in Coca-Cola is uncertain, studies show that consuming too much of it it may bring about health problems such as diabetes, obesity, and metabolism problems.
But it’s also worth noting that the use of HFCS is FDA approved, so as long as you consume it in moderation and keep yourself healthy, you should be safe.
Glucose
In food, glucose is mostly bound to another kind of simple sugar that forms sucrose and lactose. Together with fat, it’s a source of our bodies’ energy.
According to this study, glucose is responsible for stimulating our brain’s cognitive and cellular functions. Plus, it’s also less sweet than fructose and sucrose (table sugar).
I think this is an added advantage in Coca-Cola Energy as this drink can supply your body with extra glucose.
Citric Acid
Citric acid is used as an additive to preserve the shelf life and enhance the flavor of different processed food and sugary drinks. It’s no wonder you can find it in a can of Coca-Cola Energy!
However, you may want to be cautious of this ingredient as overconsumption can lead to several health risks such as:
- Numbness or tingly feeling
- Rapid weight gain
- Muscle twitching or cramps
- Heart palpitations
- Mood swings
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhoea
- Seizure
That said, I strongly advise you to keep your overall Coca-Cola Energy consumption to a minimum to avoid these side effects.
Guarana Extract
Guaranas are actually as small as the size of coffee beans, but they contain more than twice as much caffeine.
This product of the Brazilian Guarana plant can be used for weight loss and to reduce fatigue, all thanks to its stimulant like caffeine and antioxidants.
Its other benefits also include increasing your mental performance, which will make you more alert and have a better memory.
That said, I think this ingredient adds into the caffeine content of Coca-Cola Energy, hence it’s best to be careful and not go overboard on this caffeinated energy drink.
Sodium Benzoate
Sodium Benzoate’s a legal form of chemical food additive added in processed food and soft drinks to preserve shelf life. I’m guessing a can of Coca-Cola Energy will last long, considering that it contains two types of preservatives.
That said, I highly suggest you be careful of your intake as the use of preservatives in processed food brings about various health risks. According to a study, overconsumption of Sodium Benzoate may increase the risk of inflammation, stress, obesity, allergies and even ADHD.
Remember, moderation is key.
Is Coca-Cola Energy Taurine Free?
Coca-Cola Energy drink is taurine-free.
Let me first discuss what taurine is for.
Taurine is an amino acid that supports nerve growth, and you can find it in meat, fish, dairy products, or even breast milk. It offers plenty of benefits such as:
- Maintain proper hydration and electrolyte balance in your cells
- Forming bile salts, which play an important role in indigestion
- Regulating minerals such as calcium within your cells
That probably explains why athletes prefer to take supplements or energy drinks containing taurine to boost sports performance.
However, taurine also contains health effects that include cardiac arrest and heart problems.
Given that Coca-Cola Energy already contains plenty of other beneficial ingredients, I think the absence of taurine in this drink won’t make much difference. Plus, you’ll also be avoiding its potential health risks.
Is Caffeine Addicting?
Scientifically speaking, caffeine isn’t addicting. Addiction is a chronic, relapsing behavior characterized by compulsive substance seeking, continued use despite its harmful effects, and long-lasting changes in the brain. However, it’s worth noting that caffeine dependence is a thing.
In brief, caffeine dependence is when you can’t function without caffeine.
If you’ve experienced a time wherein you get cranky or lazy without caffeine, or you’re having a hard time cutting back on caffeine, then it’s probably a sign of caffeine dependence.
Though everyone has a different caffeine metabolism, it’s always a good idea to not overconsume caffeine. Not only does it leads to caffeine dependence but also withdrawals.
If you do get caffeine withdrawals, it’ll definitely take a toll on your physical and mental wellbeing. You’ll most likely constantly feel tired and restless. Not to mention, caffeine withdrawal can disrupt your sleep pattern.
That said, the caffeine content in a single 12 fl.oz can of Coca-Cola isn’t something to worry about as 114mg of caffeine is still below the daily recommended limit of 400mg of caffeine.
What Are The Side Effects Of Coca-Cola Energy?
Though the caffeine content in Coca-Cola Energy is at an average level, a 12 fl.oz can of this drink already contains an insane amount of sugar, which will bring side effects and potentially damaging your health in the long run.
The 39g of sugar in Coca-Cola Energy is something to be worried about as one can of this drink already wipes out your entire daily sugar limit for the day.
It’s also best to remember that other food and drinks you consume also contain sugar so imagine the long-term effects you’ll leave on your health if you do include this energy drink in your regular diet.
To add on, a sugary drink like this one will leave you with a nasty sugar crash after. You’ll feel slow and lethargic after due to the sudden drop in your blood levels.
These effects are definitely worth considering before you settle on a sugary energy drink like Coca-Cola Energy. Also, I highly advise you to avoid Coca-Cola Energy if you’re already experiencing any pre-existing medications like diabetes.
If you’re interested to know more about the side effects of energy drinks, check out the video below:
Final Words
After breaking down the ingredients in Coca-Cola Energy, the 114mg of caffeine in this drink is a pretty good amount that won’t necessarily leave you with any nasty side effects. Plus, it also has a considerate calorie content.
That said, the biggest downside of this drink is its high sugar levels of 39g per can.
That’s why I think it’s only suitable to have Coca-Cola Energy during extremely mentally demanding occasions only. If I were you, I would only drink half a can first, then go back to drinking the remaining half only if I still need an energy boost.
Thus, it’s always a wise decision to consult your health specialist first before including a sugary energy drink like this one into your diet.
Provided you’re healthy and don’t have any health conditions, Coca-Cola Energy is indeed a thirst-quenching drink and can be great to have once in a while.