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How Much Caffeine Is in Big Red Soda? (Detailed Breakdown)

Big Red

Caffeine (serving: 12 fl oz)
34 mg
Caffeine (mg / fl oz)
2.8
Calories
150
Caffeine strength
Low

Big Red soda has been a popular soft drink choice since 1937 when it first hit the shelves. Its distinctive red color and bold flavor have made it a favorite of soda drinkers everywhere. But how much caffeine is actually in Big Red soda? The answer to this question depends on the size of the soda. A 12-ounce can of Big Red has 34 mg of caffeine, while a 20-ounce can contains 63 mg.

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Big Red Caffeine Content

Big Red soda is a fruit soda that is red and has a sweet, fruity flavor. It is a carbonated beverage that is sweetened with high fructose corn syrup. This beverage contains about 34 mg of caffeine per 12-ounce can, and 63 mg per 20-oz can. This is a bit less than most sodas and roughly less than half of a cup of coffee, which is about 95 mg for an 8-oz cup.

So, the caffeine content of Big Red soda is not especially high, but it’s also not especially low. If caffeine is something that you need to reduce your intake of, then you may want to choose beverages that have lower caffeine levels. However, if you do not need to reduce your caffeine intake, then drinking Big Red soda is not a bad choice compared to high-caffeine sodas such as Mountain Dew.

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How Does Big Red Caffeine Content Compare to Other Sodas?

Soda Caffeine content per 12 fl. oz.
Big Red 34 mg
Coca-Cola 34 mg
Pepsi 38 mg
Dr Pepper 41 mg
Mountain Dew 54 mg

The Benefits and Downfalls of Caffeine

Caffeine is a substance that is naturally found in many plants, including coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa beans, and kola nuts. It is consumed by humans mainly in the form of coffee, tea, soft drinks, and other beverages. It is also added to some foods to enhance their flavor.

Also, it helps not to think of caffeine as a substance that’s “bad” for you. Yes, too much can be unhealthy – like with anything that you consume. But caffeine has a number of positive effects on the body, including improving mental performance and helping to reduce fatigue. The FDA recommends limiting daily caffeine consumption to 400 milligrams (and less if you’re pregnant or have certain health conditions).

Caffeine can also reduce headaches and is sometimes used as a diuretic (a substance that promotes urination). Caffeine has some negative effects, including increasing the heart rate, blood pressure, and the levels of uric acid in the blood. It can also cause other health problems for some people, such as insomnia.

red soda in a glass with ice
Image credit: Jumpstory

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Top 5 Healthy Alternatives to Caffeinated Soda

Everyone knows that soda isn’t necessarily good for you. It’s high in sugar and if you’re sensitive to caffeine it can be a “no-go”. But there are soda-alternatives worth considering if soda isn’t your thing. Not only are these alternatives more natural and healthier for you than soda, but they can also provide additional benefits to your overall health. Let’s take a look.

Iced Tea

An 8-oz cup of iced tea has only about 8 mg of caffeine. It’s a great alternative to soda, and it tastes good with or without sugar, so it’s perfect for those who want a less sugary beverage option. And, compared to soda, iced tea is much lower in calories and has no added sugar, which makes it a healthier choice.

Iced tea also has some health benefits. For example, black iced tea is a great source of antioxidants, which can help fight inflammation, slow down the aging process, and even reduce your risk of certain types of cancers. You can also switch to healthier varieties of black iced tea, such as rooibos iced tea and honey hibiscus iced tea.

Sparkling Water

Sparkling water is also a great option if you want to go on a no-sugar, no-caffeine fast. If you enjoy the taste of soda but want to drink something healthier, consider sparkling water. Sparkling water is naturally carbonated and has less added sugar than soda. It’s often vitamin-rich, which can make it a great way to hydrate, especially if you’re exercising or participating in sports.

If you want to make your water healthier, try switching from carbonated to still flavored water. If you still want the carbonation, try sparkling waters with lower sugar content, such as La Croix Sparkling Water or Polar Spicy Water, which contain 4 grams and 8 grams of sugar per serving, respectively. You can get fancy by adding healthy ingredients to your sparkling water to make it tastier, such as fresh herbs, lemon slices, or cucumber slices.

sparkling water in glasses
Image Credit: benjamas11, Shutterstock

Coconut Water

Coconut water is naturally caffeine-free and another great good option if you’re trying to quit soda – especially if you like the tropical taste of real coconuts. Like iced tea, coconut water is naturally lower in calories and has no added sugar, making it a healthier choice than soda. Coconut water is rich in electrolytes, which helps hydrate the body and maintain balance in your system.

This is especially beneficial for people who exercise regularly and can become dehydrated more easily. It has its own unique flavor and is naturally sweetened by the sugars in the fruit. One cup has about 6 grams of sugar. Brands including Vita Coco and Harmless Harvest are good places to start.

Kombucha

Kombucha, a fermented tea drink, is a convenient substitute for soda. Like many of the other drinks on this list, kombucha is naturally lower in calories and has no added sugar, making it a healthier option than soda. Kombucha is also rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants – unlike soda.

Additionally, kombucha is a probiotic beverage. This means that it contains beneficial bacteria that may help improve your digestive health. Many kombucha brands also come in flavors, such as lemon-ginger and strawberry-hibiscus, so you can enjoy a fruity or tangy drink.

homemade kombucha with ginger and cinnamon
Image Credit: Sunvic, Shutterstock

Fruit-infused Water

Last but not least, fruit-infused water is a healthy soda replacement and provides many of the same benefits as the drinks listed above. Fruit-infused water is naturally low in calories and has no added sugar, making it a way healthier choice than soda. Drinking fruit-infused water is also a great way to hydrate and get important nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Additionally, fruit-infused water can provide health benefits. If you want to make your fruit-infused water a healthier choice, try adding lower-sugar fruits, such as strawberries or watermelon, to your water. You can also opt for a bottled variety, such as Essential Wellness Fruit Water or Bai Fruit-Infused Water.

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Wrapping Things Up

Big Red soda is a fruity soda that has been a favorite choice of soda drinkers since the 1930s. A 12-ounce can of Big Red soda has 34 milligrams of caffeine, which is a bit less than other sodas. It does have a considerable amount of sugar though.

When consuming soda beverages, it’s always a good idea to monitor its caffeine content, especially if you’re pregnant, have heart-related health conditions, or sleep disorders. And if you’re looking to reduce your caffeine or sugar intake, consider soda alternatives such as coconut water, mineral water, and iced tea.

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Kate MacDonnell

Kate is a lifelong coffee enthusiast and homebrewer who enjoys writing for coffee websites and sampling every kind of coffee known to man. She’s tried unusual coffees from all over the world and owns an unhealthy amount of coffee gear.

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