Caffeine in soft drinks

Most carbonated beverages contain caffeine, which is considered to be a mild drug and can have harmful effects, especially on children.

Soft drinks today – both ‘colas’ and many noncolas – have caffeine added to them as part of the recipe.

The children’s major source of caffeine was soft drinks.

Soft drinks are the most consumed caffeine-containing beverage in America. Caffeine is a drug that acts as a stimulant to the central nervous system.

The contribution of soft drinks to total caffeine consumption is significant. One study showed that in 1962 one-third of the population is significant soft drinks than before, but currently around two thirds said that they had.

Large amounts of caffeine consumption can cause diseases and disorders such as insomnia, nervousness, anxiety, irritability, and deviations from the normal heart rate.

In 1994, there was a study published that children ages eight to twelve warning that , although caffeine may improve children’s attention to detail and their manual dexterity, it also increase their anxiety.

Caffeine is an addictive substance, which causes consumers to need more caffeine.

A major concern about caffeine is that it increases the excretion of calcium in urine, which increases the risk for osteoporosis in heavy caffeine consumers.

Some preliminary studies show that caffeine increases the risk of birth defects. Evidence suggest that a level over 500 mg a day, caffeine may delay conception.

The amount of caffeine in soft drinks varies and it usually isn’t listed on the beverage container. In general, most have 30 mg to 50 mg per ounce serving – half that of an 8 ounce cup of coffee.
Caffeine in soft drinks

What is in Pepsi-Cola?

Pepsi-Cola is one of the drinks that trace its root back to the corner drugstore. The formula of Pepsi Cola was created by Caleb D. Bradham, a pharmacist of New Bern in summer of 1893.

Bradham poured a sample of his mixture into a beaker and gave it to his assistant to taste it. Then he saw his assistant’s face light up upon tasting it, Bradham knew he had created a winner. His favorite was ‘Brad’s Drink’.

It was a unique combination of sugar, water, vanilla, caramel, lime juice, phosphoric acid, alcohol and oil (lemon, orange, cinnamon, nutmeg, coriander, and petit grain).

Bradham believed that his new drink aided digestion similar to the way the pepsin enzyme does. However, Pepsi never contained pepsin. Cola represent the refreshing and invigorating qualities of the drinks.

The name ‘Brad’s Drink didn’t convey the nature of the beverage and he decided to rename it ‘Pepsi-Cola’ in 1898 after pepsin and cola nuts used in the recipe.

In 1898, Caleb Bradham bought the trade name Pep Cola for $100 from a competitor from Newark.

Pepsi didn’t contain any harmful ingredients. Some of Pepsi’s competitors used narcotics and other dangerous substance in their formulas.

Cocaine and glycerin that were originally there in Pepsi that was present in Pepsi has been removed.
What is in Pepsi-Cola?