Caffeine in Tea vs. Coke
With energy drinks, coffee, and various teas on the market, it is important to know and understand the amount of caffeine in the beverages you are consuming. Here we will explore the caffeine amounts in two popular drinks; tea and Coke.
Caffeine in Tea
Most caffeinated tea actually contain less caffeine than coffee. On average, a cup of tea contains around 40-60 milligrams of caffeine. This amount of caffeine is lower than the average coffee option; for example, coffee contains about 95-200 milligrams of caffeine.
The exact amount of caffeine in tea depends on:
- Variety of tea
- Size of brewed cup
- Steeping time
The longer the tea steeps, the more caffeine is released. However, as a general rule, black teas contain more caffeine than green teas.
Caffeine in Coke
A 12 oz. can of Coke contains 35 to 45 milligrams of caffeine. This amount is equivalent to an 8 oz. cup of coffee.
Some of the more heavily caffeinated sodas, like Jolt and Vault, contain the same amount of caffeine as an 8 oz. cup of coffee, which is approximately 80-100 milligrams.
It is important to note that caffeine present in energy drinks, coffee, and tea starts to become dangerous after 400 milligrams. Caffeine can cause unpleasant side effects such as insomnia, irritability, anxiety and headaches.
Caffeine In Summary
It should be clear that tea contains significantly less caffeine than coffee and that the majority of sodas contain a plastic amounts of caffeine equivalent to an 8 oz. cup of coffee, with some exceptions.
When consuming caffeinated beverages, it is important to remember moderate intake and to stay well within the safe range of 400 milligrams of caffeine for an individual per day.
