There’s nothing quite like cracking open a can of Sprite, hearing the satisfying hiss of the carbonated drink, and taking your first sip.
It’s no surprise that Sprite is one of the most popular sodas in the world, thanks to its refreshing lemon-lime taste and awakening benefits.
Everyone knows that drinking a soda like Sprite is going to make you more awake for a short amount of time. What people don’t know, however, is why Sprite gives us a feeling of alertness after drinking it.
Is Sprite super high in sugar, or does Sprite have caffeine?
If you’re on a strict zero-caffeine diet, or if you’re merely curious about the beloved soda, you’ve come to the right place. Here is everything you need to know about Sprite and its caffeine content.
Does Sprite Have Caffeine?
Let’s set the record straight – Sprite does not contain any caffeine. Unlike sodas like Coca-Cola, Sprite remains completely caffeine-free.
Sprite consists of water, natural lemon and lime, and high-fructose corn syrup, as well as preservatives that make the refreshingly sweet flavor. So, while Sprite does not contain caffeine, it is packed with sugar, which can increase your energy levels just like caffeine.
A 375 milliliter can of Sprite will contain 140 calories and 38 grams of carbs. The calories and carbs come from added sugar, which the preservatives are responsible for.
Sprite might not contain caffeine, but the sheer amount of sugar might cause your body to react in the same way as a caffeinated soda.
Consumers will feel a sudden increase in blood sugar, resulting in a boost of energy, and ending in a potential subsequent crash. It’s also common to feel jittery and potentially anxious.
This means that people on a strict caffeine-free diet can drink Sprite, but they need to be aware of the sugar content in the soda. Just because it contains no caffeine doesn’t mean it’s not going to have side effects.
What Is Caffeine?
Caffeine is a stimulant that appears in foods and drinks, such as coffee, tea, and chocolate. It is a naturally occurring stimulant found in various plants, such as coffee beans and cocoa beans, but can also be added to foods as a man-made substance.
As a stimulant, caffeine works to increase the activity of the nervous system and brain. It results in the user feeling more alert and awake for a couple of hours, with a subsequent crash when the caffeine wears off. It can also result in jitters, shakes, and feelings of anxiety.
Due to the effects of caffeine, the stimulant should be avoided by athletes, children, pregnant people, and those on specific diets.
Does Sprite Zero Have Caffeine?
Just like regular Sprite, Sprite Zero does not contain any caffeine.
Sprite Zero was developed by Sprite’s parent company, The Coca-Cola Company, as a sugar-free variant of the original lemon-lime soda. It is one of several drinks in the “Zero Sugar” lineup by Coca-Cola.
As the name suggests, Sprite Zero contains no sugars, no carbohydrates, and no calories. The iconic sweet taste is achieved by replacing sugars, carbs, and calories with artificial sweeteners.
It might be a somewhat healthier alternative to regular Sprite if you want to limit your sugar intake, but it’s still a sweet soda. At the end of the day, if you’re still consuming artificial sweeteners and preservatives, it’s hardly going to be a super healthy drink.
Still, Sprite Zero is a good alternative to regular Sprite if you don’t like the caffeine-like side effects of the sugary beverage.
Can You Drink Sprite Every Day?
Yes, you can drink Sprite every day – but that doesn’t mean that you should. It just means that, as Sprite is caffeine-free, you won’t be adding to your daily caffeine intake by drinking a Sprite every day.
However, Sprite is still a soda packed with sugar. Even Sprite Zero, which contains no sugar, shouldn’t be seen as a “healthy” alternative.
Instead, you’re filling your body with artificial sugars and preservatives, which will not only give you the same effects as caffeine, but also can lead to negative side effects.
Everyone knows that too much sugar will lead to weight gain, and the same rules apply with Sprite. Sodas are one of the leading factors for weight gain as a result of the high fructose corn syrup content.
Not only this, but drinking this amount of sugar on a daily basis will wreak havoc on your teeth and gums. Drinking too much Sprite on a daily basis can lead to tooth decay and cavities.
The key with drinking Sprite, as with any food or drink, is to moderate your intake. Try to limit yourself to a maximum of one Sprite a day, or ideally, one Sprite every few days.
It’s a delicious soda that should be enjoyed for its refreshing flavor, without negatively impacting your body.
Can You Drink Sprite While Pregnant?
Generally speaking, it’s not recommended for pregnant people to consume anything that is caffeinated. However, as Sprite is not a caffeinated drink, it is safe for pregnant people to consume.
The only thing to keep in mind is that drinking sodas on a daily basis isn’t going to be good for you or your baby. Drinking a Sprite once in a while is fine, but don’t make a habit of it.
After all, Sprite is packed with sugars and artificial sweeteners, which can be just as bad to consume as caffeine.
Not only this, but Sprite offers no nutritional value, meaning it’s more likely to do harm than good for you and your baby if you drink it too often.
Research on artificial sweeteners is still being carried out, so to be on the safe side, it’s best to only have a Sprite or caffeine-free soda on special occasions.
Summary
So, there you have it! Sprite has no caffeine, but its sugar content means that it can often produce the same effects as caffeine. If you want to avoid these effects, opt for a Sprite Zero, which has no caffeine or sugars.
Only to find that the recipe has now mysteriously vanished from your phone and the entirety of the internet. Yep, there’s not much more painful than that.
Hi, my name is Mark Williams and I have been infatuated with cooking since I was young. I would beg my mother to pull a chair up to the counter so I could watch what she was doing.
- How To Reheat A Cheesesteak - November 5, 2023
- What Are Three Must Have Kitchen Knives? - September 22, 2023
- How To Protect Edges Of Pie Crust - June 15, 2023
