Is Caffeine In Soft Drinks Good?

Although caffeine can produce desirable effects, it also may cause unpleasant reactions in the body. Because everyone may experience the effects of caffeine differently, monitor your body's own reaction after consuming caffeine-containing sodas. Generally, occasionally consuming moderate amounts of caffeine may prove useful, but you should avoid consuming excessive amounts. If you have any specific concerns about caffeine consumption, talk to your doctor.

Benefits

You may enjoy the quick burst of energy caffeine can provide. The caffeine in soft drinks acts as a stimulant, which increases activity in the central nervous system. It also suppresses the body's tiredness cues, which makes staying awake easier. This may prove beneficial when you feel tired but need to stay awake to perform a task.

Disadvantages

Some of stimulant effects of the caffeine in soft drinks are not desirable. Caffeine can cause you to feel anxious, nervous, irritable or tense. It also may prevent you from being able to fall asleep or from getting a good-quality, deep sleep, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. In addition, consuming excessive amounts of caffeine may cause gastrointestinal upset, muscle tremors, excessive sweating or headaches.

Considerations

The amount of caffeine in soft drinks is usually relatively small, especially when compared to other caffeinated beverages, like coffee or energy drinks. Most soft drinks contain between 20 and 72mg of caffeine in each 12-oz. serving. By comparison, a cup of coffee contains approximately 90 to 140mg of caffeine, while an energy drink may contain up to 300mg of caffeine per serving. Because of this, the effects of caffeine you experience after drinking a soft drink are likely to be less intense than if you were to drink another caffeinated beverage.

Warning

Although soft drinks contain relatively small amounts of caffeine per serving, it still is possible to become tolerant or physically dependent on caffeine, especially if you regularly consume large quantities of soda. This means you may experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking caffeinated soft drinks, including headaches, muscle aches or depression. You also may need to drink more of the caffeinated soft drinks to experience the same effects you experienced initially. If you find yourself frequently turning to caffeinated soft drinks to get a quick energy buzz, consider talking to your doctor about healthier alternatives that may better suit your needs.