When faced with a decision between two equally appealing options, it can be challenging to choose. This is particularly the case when it comes to “Dr. Pepper vs Coke”.
So, what do you do when you can’t decide between these two popular beverages? That’s where this handy guide comes in.
We’ll break down the ingredients, nutrition facts, calories, sugar content, and caffeine content of both Dr Pepper and Coke so that you can make an informed decision.
Is Dr Pepper and Coke the same?
First of all, you might be wondering whether or not Dr Pepper and Coke are even the same thing. The short answer is: no. While both drinks are carbonated beverages and both contain caffeine and sugar, they have some key differences.
For starters, Dr Pepper is made with 23 different flavors, including vanilla and cherry. By contrast, Coke doesn’t contain that many flavors.
Both drinks are fairly high in calories and relatively low in nutrition, so if you’re concerned about your health and weight, neither of these drinks is the best option.
Dr Pepper vs Coke – Ingredients
| DRINK | INGREDIENTS |
| Dr Pepper | Carbonated Water, Sugar, Colour (Caramel E150d), Phosphoric Acid, Preservative (Potassium Sorbate), Flavourings Including Caffeine, Sweeteners (Aspartame, Acesulfame K). Contains a Source of Phenylalanine. |
| Coke | Carbonated Water, Sugar, Colour (Caramel E150d), Phosphoric Acid, Natural Flavourings Including Caffeine. |
The core ingredients in Dr Pepper and Coke are quite similar. Both drinks contain carbonated water, sugar, colour (Caramel E150d), phosphoric acid, and caffeine. These elements provide the fizzy sensation, sweetness, color, tartness, and the kick of caffeine common to both beverages.
However, where Dr Pepper and Coke begin to diverge is in their other ingredients.
Starting with Dr Pepper, this drink contains a total of 23 different flavors, including vanilla and chDr Pepper, for example, contains 23 different flavors.
While the full list of these flavors is a closely guarded secret, it’s widely accepted that the mix includes both vanilla and cherry, among other flavors. This cocktail of flavors gives Dr Pepper its distinctive taste that’s often described as unique and more complex.
Dr Pepper also includes the preservative potassium sorbate, which helps to maintain its freshness over time. In addition to sugar, Dr Pepper contains two artificial sweeteners: aspartame and acesulfame K. These sweeteners enhance the drink’s sweetness while keeping calorie content relatively low.
On the flip side, Coke keeps its ingredient list simpler. It relies on natural flavorings, including caffeine. The exact nature of these natural flavors is also a trade secret, but they provide Coke with its unmistakable taste that has made it a popular choice worldwide for more than a century.
Notably, unlike Dr Pepper, Coke does not contain any preservatives or artificial sweeteners. Its sweetness comes solely from the sugar added during production.
Among the ingredients we’ve discussed, several raise health concerns, particularly sugar and artificial sweeteners. Excessive sugar consumption can contribute to a range of health issues including obesity, diabetes, and fatty liver disease.
Artificial sweeteners, meanwhile, may disrupt the gut microbiome and some research suggests potential links to cancer and other health conditions. The acidity of these beverages is another concern, as it can erode tooth enamel and contribute to tooth decay.
And that’s not all, but let’s move on to see how these two drinks compare in terms of nutrition.
Dr Pepper vs Coke – Nutrition facts
When it comes to the nutrition facts of Dr Pepper and Coke, there are some notable differences.
Dr Pepper contains 20 calories per 100ml, whereas Coke contains 42 calories per 100ml.
Both drinks are low in fat – 0g in both cases and contain no salt or protein.
| Nutritional Values per 100 ml | Dr Pepper | Coke |
| Calories | 20 | 42 |
| Fat | 0g | 0g |
| Carbohydrates | 4.9g | 10.6g |
| of which sugars | 4.9g | 10.6g |
| Protein | 0g | 0g |
| Salt | 0g | 0g |
Dr Pepper vs Coke – Sugar content
When it comes to the sugar content of Dr Pepper and Coke, there are again some key differences.
Dr Pepper contains a total of 4.9g of sugar per 100 ml, whereas Coke contains 10.6g of sugar per 100 ml – more than double that amount.
Per 330ml can, Coke contains 35g of sugar, whereas a 330ml can of Dr Pepper contains around 14.6g of sugar. This means that a can of Coke contains almost 9 teaspoons of sugar!
Dr Pepper, on the other hand, is substantially lower in sugar content, however, it still contains around 3.5 teaspoons per can.
Considering that we should be limiting our sugar intake to no more than 6 teaspoons per day, it’s clear that neither Coke nor Dr Pepper is a particularly healthy choice.
Dr Pepper vs Coke – Caffeine content
When it comes to the caffeine content of Dr Pepper and Coke, there is a clear winner.
A 330ml can of Dr Pepper contains around 40mg of caffeine, while a 330ml can of Coke only contains 32mg.
For comparison, a cup of coffee typically contains around 95mg of caffeine.
In general, it seems that Dr Pepper has the edge when it comes to caffeine content – although this can vary depending on the specific flavor of Dr Pepper you’re drinking.
Is Dr Pepper healthier than Coke?
Determining if Dr Pepper is healthier than Coke largely depends on how you view the idea of “healthier”.
From a calorie standpoint, Dr Pepper has fewer calories than Coke and likely won’t contribute to weight gain as much.
However, Dr Pepper contains artificial sweeteners which may have negative health effects including disrupted gut flora and increased risk of diabetes.
Coke, on the other hand, does not contain any artificial sweeteners, but it does contain more sugars than Dr Pepper.
Both drinks contain phosphoric acid which has many side effects including an increased risk of kidney stones and lowered bone density.
In general, Dr Pepper is not a “healthier” choice than Coke – it’s simply made with a number of different ingredients that may or may not be better for you.
If your main concern is weight management or healthy eating, then Dr Pepper would probably be the better choice.
But if you’re more concerned about the potential negative effects of artificial sweeteners, then Coke may be a better option for you.
So which drink is healthier – Dr Pepper or Coke?
From a nutritional standpoint, neither soda offers any substantive health benefits and both contain added sugar which has been linked to long-term health risks. Ultimately, if you are looking for healthier drinks, you will be better off choosing tea or water over either soda option.