The Dutch Bros. Coffee company is a drive-thru coffee chain with locations all over the United States. The company roasts their own coffee beans and features a menu of classic coffee drinks, teas, smoothies and ciders. Their Kahlua Kicker contains a three-bean espresso roast, Irish Cream, Kahlua flavoring and special "kick-me" mix. The beverage is high in calories, caffeine, fat and sugar, but does feature some redeeming nutritional value as well.
Calories and Caffeine
A 12-oz. Dutch Bros. Kahlua Kicker contains 372 calories. A 12-oz. Kahlua Kicker contributes 15 to 19 percent of an adult's daily caloric needs, based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Each 12-oz. Kahlua Kicker contains 128 mg of caffeine. Caffeine is a mild stimulant with numerous side effects. While a moderate amount of caffeine is fairly harmless, the National Institute of Health asserts that 10 cups, or about 1,000 mg, is excessive and may result in symptoms such as cognitive disturbances and cardiovascular problems.
Fat and Cholesterol
A 12-oz. Kahlua Kicker contains 23.73 g of fat, 13.56 g of saturated fat and 0.47 g of trans fat. The body needs a certain amount of fat each day, but saturated and trans fats are unhealthy and can contribute to increased cholesterol in the bloodstream. Similarly, the body needs some cholesterol, but too much can result in plaque build-up in the arteries and promote cardiovascular disease. A 12-oz. Kahlua Kicker contains 101.25 mg of cholesterol. Most adults need about 44 to 78 g of fat each day, but should limit saturated and trans fat intake to 20 g and 2 per day, respectively. Cholesterol intake should not exceed 300 mg a day, according to the USDA.
Carbohydrates
Each 12-oz. cup of Dutch Bros. Kahlua Kicker contains 38.5 g of carbohydrates. Your body needs carbohydrates for energy, and most adults need about 225 to 325 g of this nutrient each day. Most of the carbohydrates in Kahlua Kicker exist in the form of simple sugar, with 26.75 g per cup. The American Heart Association advises that men and women limit their sugar intakes to 37.5 and 25 g per day, respectively, to avoid weight gain, diabetes and cardiovascular problems.
Protein
A 12-oz. cup of Dutch Bros. Kahlua Kicker contains 6.83 g of protein. The body needs dietary protein to help repair and synthesize cellular tissue and maintain blood health. Most adults need about 50 to 175 g of protein each day, so a cup of Kahlua Kicker contributes about 4 to 14 percent of the typical adult's daily needs for this nutrient.
Minerals
A cup of Dutch Bros. Kahlua Kicker contains the minerals potassium, calcium and iron. Potassium helps regulate muscle contractions and promotes fluid balance. Calcium helps form strong bones and teeth and iron helps maintain blood health. A cup of Kahlua Kicker also contains about 120 mg of sodium. Sodium helps regulate fluid balance, but too much sodium can contribute to high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. Adults should limit sodium intakes to 2,300 mg per day, according to the USDA.
Vitamins
Each 12-oz. cup of Kahlua Kicker contains vitamins C, A and a trace amount of vitamin E, which all have antioxidant properties. Vitamin C is essential for growth and immune system function, while vitamin A contributes to health vision. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that can help prevent cellular damage.
References
- Dutch Bros. Coffee: Our Menu
- MayoClinic.com; Healthy Diet: End the Guesswork With These Nutrition Guidelines; February 2011
- U.S. Department of Agriculture; Dietary Guidelines for Americans; 2010
- American Heart Association; Sugars and Carbohydrates; October 2010
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Vitamins and Minerals
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