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Coffee vs Soda
A comparison of coffee and soda when it comes to caffeine content, health benefits, and disadvantage between those beverages.
Published December 7, 2021
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Johan Hedlund
Coffee experts@The Coffee Lab
Coffee and soda are two popular types of drink that many people will drink on a regular, if not daily basis. Both these drinks taste great and they also both contain caffeine, which can help you wake up in the morning and get your day off to an energized start, along with being a pick-me-up if you’re feeling tired during the day and want to stay awake. The National Coffee Association published a study that found almost two-thirds of US adults drink coffee every day. So, with this in mind, what are some of the main things to think about when it comes to coffee vs. soda? Keep reading to find out more about both types of beverage in more detail and find out more about how coffee has more health benefits compared to soda.
Both are Popular Beverage Choices
Both coffee and soda are very popular drink choices, especially for people who want something that tastes great and gives then some energy. When it comes to comparing the differences between soda and coffee, it’s first important to take a closer look at just why these drinks are such popular options. Coffee is a popular choice because it’s steeped in tradition, has a very unique taste, and contains caffeine, which gives you energy.
Some reports indicate that coffee has a history dating all the way back to the fifteenth century. Since then, coffee has evolved and there is now a wide range of different styles and trends from espresso to cappuccinos, macchiatos, and mochas. Every coffee drink that there is will contain coffee beans. People like coffee because it’s a great choice for drink for energizing you, is filled with antioxidants, and can even help people lose weight.
On the other hand, soda doesn’t have quite as much of a long history as coffee, with reports suggesting that the first soda machine was only invented in the early 1800s. People who like drinking soda tend to enjoy this drink because it tastes sweet, there are lots of different flavors and styles available, and the carbonated bubbles cause a refreshing tingly feeling in the mouth. Since soda was first invented in the 1800s, there have been dozens of different new soda types developed.
What are the Benefits of Coffee?
It’s important to first consider the caffeine in coffee vs soda when discussing coffee. The amount of caffeine that you will find in coffee will vary depending on the type of coffee drink that you choose. As a general guide, a regular cup of brewed coffee will contain around 95mg of caffeine. The amount of caffeine that is considered safe for you to drink is around 500mg each day, so even if you have two or three cups of coffee daily, you will fall below this limit.
Another key benefit of coffee is that it is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants prevent DNA damage in the body by destroying free radicals. Some of the main antioxidants that are found in coffee include chlorogenic acid and flavonoids. Along with this, coffee can also be beneficial for heart health, preventing plaque formation in blood vessels and preventing the formation of new blood vessels that may lead to cancer. It can also reduce symptoms of high blood pressure by promoting the relaxation of blood vessels.
Are There Disadvantages of Drinking Coffee?
While it’s impossible to deny that there are some physical and even mental benefits of drinking coffee, there are some drawbacks to drinking this beverage that are worth being aware of. Coffee does contain more caffeine compared to your average beverage, which can lead to caffeine addiction in some people. Due to the caffeine content, drinking too much coffee can also lead to sleep problems like insomnia or disrupted sleep at night. Caffeine consumption can also harm a fetus in pregnant people, so those who are pregnant need to be careful when it comes to how much coffee they drink. Coffee can also stain the teeth quite badly over time, since it is a dark beverage. And, despite the fact that coffee does cause vasodilation, it’s important to bear in mind that consuming too much caffeine can have the opposite effect and end up raising your blood pressure instead.
What are the Benefits of Soda?
Even the sound of opening a can of soda and hearing the fizzing bubbles can be refreshing, especially on a hot day. There are some benefits to drinking soda, including that although it contains caffeine, the caffeine in diet coke vs coffee is less and it does not typically contain as much caffeine as coffee. How much caffeine in coke? There is around 32mg in a 12oz can, and how much caffeine in diet coke is around the same, although you can now get decaf versions. Along with this, not all sodas are dark beverages, so they won’t stain your teeth like coffee will. It’s got a much sweeter taste compared to coffee’s more bitter taste, and as it’s a carbonated beverage, it’ll make your mouth tingle in a refreshing way that many people who drink soda enjoy.
Are There Disadvantages of Drinking Soda?
Sadly, there are not that many benefits of drinking soda. In fact, there are more drawbacks to drinking this type of beverage, including the fact that many types of soda are made with a lot of sugar, which can contribute to conditions such as diabetes and make it easier for you to put on weight. Along with this, the sugar content in soda can also be very harmful for your teeth, leading to cavities and weakened tooth enamel. Since soda contains caffeine, drinking it later in the day can make it harder for you to get to sleep at night, and it can make symptoms worse for people who suffer with stomach ulcers or acid reflux. However, there are now more sugar-free soda options available than ever before, so if you really enjoy drinking soda but don’t want to risk all these disadvantages, a sugar-free option might be a better choice for you since most of the drawbacks of soda are caused by the high sugar content. There is still caffeine in diet coke, but the sugar content and calories are much lower compared to the regular version.
Organic Vs. Man-Made
The origins of coffee and soda can help you to get a better idea of what’s going into your body when you drink either one of these beverages. Coffee is a brewed drink made using roasted coffee beans, which are the natural seeds of the Coffea berries. On the other hand, soda is not quite as natural as coffee; in fact, it is completely man-made, using fructose corn syrup, carbonated water, sugars or artificial sweeteners, and other flavoring ingredients. Compared to coffee, soda and other soft drinks may also contain phosphoric acid, which can reduce the calcium in your bones. When making soda, other preservatives are also added that can be harmful to your health, particularly if you consume soda a lot.
Why Coffee is Better Than Soda
Health experts and doctors agree that drinking coffee is a much better choice for your health and wellbeing compared to drinking soda. This is because coffee is low in calories, and does not contain any fat, sodium, or sugar unlike soda. Along with this, coffee is rich in various nutrients that you will never find in soda including magnesium, potassium, riboflavin, and B5 vitamins.
Around the world, coffee has been enjoyed by people for hundreds of years and is much better for your health compared to soda. While coffee does have somewhat of a reputation as being harmful for your health since drinking too much of it can lead to the jitters when your body has too much caffeine, the good news is that drinking coffee can actually be good for you when it is done in moderation, so try to limit yourself to no more than three cups per day.
Coffee vs Soda for Your Heart
Research has shown that drinking coffee can actually be good for your heart, and it is even linked to a lower risk of heart disease in people who drink coffee on a regular basis. On the other hand, soda can cause the opposite, and is linked to a higher blood pressure, unlike coffee which can actually reduce your blood pressure when drank in moderation. You can easily drink two or three cups of coffee on a daily basis without risking any heart problems or a rise in blood pressure.
On the other hand, drinking soda every day will increase your risk of health issues, especially when it comes to your heart. In fact, many studies have found that soda is linked to a higher risk of heart attack and other serious heart problems.
Coffee vs Soda for Weight Loss
Many weight loss organizations and nutritionists advise people to drink coffee if they are looking to lose some additional pounds. Coffee has been proven on a smaller scale to help with burning certain fat cells. Drinking a cup of black coffee before working out can boost your metabolism and increase your energy level, however the same is not true for soda.
On the other hand, soda is linked to weight gain, particularly in people with the type 2 diabetes gene. Also, soda causes a rise in blood sugar levels due to its sugar content, which can leave you feeling more tired, despite the caffeine content in this drink.
While both coffee and soda are drinks that a lot of people enjoy, it’s clear to see that when it comes to your health, coffee is a much better choice.
About the author
Johan Hedlund
I´m living in Karlstad, Sweden with my family. Been working the last 25 years with several start ups in the tech industry. Coffee has been an integral part, both professionally and privately. Eager to learn new things and happy to be a member of the era of we community.
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