Whether you drink root beer regularly or just have a jar of it in the fridge, you may be wondering if it has caffeine. Although it is made in the same way as other sodas, the caffeine content is different. The diet version contains no caffeine, while the regular version is packed with it.
Origins
Known as one of America’s best root beers, Barq’s is produced and distributed by The Coca-Cola Company. It is the most popular root beer brand in the world. Today, it is sold in over 440 markets across the globe. However, Barq’s origins go back to New Orleans, Louisiana, where it was invented.
In 1898, Edward Charles Edmond Barq, Sr., a native of New Orleans, was working in a soft drink bottling plant in Biloxi, Mississippi. He began to develop “soda pop flavors” and created Barq’s Root Beer.
The roots of the sassafras tree were used by native tribes to make medicinal teas and throat-coating syrups. By the 18th century, colonists learned to brew and enjoy the beverage. But there was no official recipe for the early root beer. In fact, each company had their own formula.
In 1902, Barq’s Bottling Works was purchased by the Coca-Cola Company. The company grew from 62 plants in 22 states to 200 by 1950. By 1976, Barq’s had bottled in more than 400 plants in the U.S. and was bottled in over 47 markets.
In the late 1930s, Dad’s Old Fashioned was the first to use six-pack packaging. A few years later, Mug was created. It was originally marketed as Belfast Root Beer.
After the ban on caffeine in 1938, a caffeine-free formula was developed. In 1960, the government reversed the caffeine ban. But in the 1970s, Coca-Cola discontinued Rex, its other caffeine-free root beer. This led to the rise of A&W, the top-selling root beer brand in the world.
Today, Barq’s territory spans coast to coast. The company produces both red and French vanilla cream sodas and sells Diet Barq’s, which contains no caffeine.
Barq’s has a 120-year history, and is owned by the Barqs family. Its origins are deeply tied to the vibrancy of New Orleans. The company is part of the Times-Picayune project, 300 for 300, to celebrate the tricentennial of the city. It is also a symbol of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Whether you’re looking for a refreshing bottle of root beer, a scoop of ice cream, or a French vanilla cream soda, Barq’s is the beverage for you.
Contains high amounts of sugar
Taking in high volumes of sugar can lead to numerous ailments ranging from obesity to diabetes. This is why the best way to get your sugar fix is to skip the sugary cereals and opt for healthier breakfast choices like whole wheat toast topped with natural peanut butter.
The best way to cut down on the number of calories you’re ingesting is to eat more healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables. Luckily, these foods contain less fat and more fiber than refined carbohydrates. In fact, research has shown that eating a balanced diet of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, in the right amounts, can reduce the risk of developing heart disease by more than a third.
One thing to watch out for is a food’s nutritional label. This is because the calorific value of a calorie is not always listed in the same manner. The good news is that the FDA will require food manufacturers to disclose the added sugars in their products by the year 2020. This will go a long way in helping consumers make informed choices.
The American Heart Association recommends that men consume no more than 150 calories a day from added sugar, and women consume no more than 100. This may not seem like a lot, but if you are consuming three or more servings a day, it could add up to a significant weight gain.
A study conducted by the National Institute of Health in 2005 found that people who consumed the highest quantities of the sweetener fructose had a higher risk of heart disease than those who consumed the lowest amounts. This is because a high level of fructose consumption can interfere with insulin secretion, which in turn can lead to increased blood pressure. To combat this, consumers should look for more health-conscious alternatives such as low-fat yogurt, plain yogurt, or a non-fat version of the dairy product.
Despite these suggestions, many Americans still continue to consume an average of 4.5 teaspoons of sugar a day. Aside from obesity, the most common illnesses associated with sugar are tooth decay, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
Is healthier for teeth than cola
Compared to colas, root beer is healthier for teeth. However, the truth is that soft drinks, including colas, are not good for your dental health. They can lead to tooth decay, enamel erosion, and cavities.
Besides, they contain phosphoric and citric acid, which can weaken your teeth. They also have high amounts of sugar, which can contribute to weight gain. Lastly, they can cause dehydration. It is therefore important to consume them at meals instead of drinking them in between meals.
The good news is that there are several brands of root beer on the market. Some of them are caffeine-free. Some even come with aspartame. It is always a good idea to check the ingredients list before you buy.
Many root beers also have a caramel coloring process. This gives them their unique color. Unfortunately, this process is also listed as a cancer-causing agent in California. The color may be harmless to some people, but it can decrease the number of white blood cells in the blood. It can also have an allergic effect on gluten-sensitive individuals.
There are a few brands of root beers that contain caffeine. This drink is known to make you nervous and makes sleep difficult. The caffeine itself stains your teeth. If you are pregnant, be sure to limit your consumption of this beverage. It can also be dangerous for children.
The reason why root beer is healthy for your teeth is that it contains less acids than most sodas. Aside from that, it is also not as harmful to your teeth as other beverages.
Aside from colas, there are several other drinks on the market that are not good for your teeth. For instance, some fruit juices are very acidic. They are especially damaging to your teeth. If you are looking for a soft drink that is better for your teeth, consider a diet version of Barqs root beer.
One way to protect your teeth from colas is to use a straw. This is because the mouth bacteria that are present in the soda interact with the sugars in the drink. When the sugars are diluted with the water, they form an acid. The more the acid, the more damage it can do to your teeth.
Diet version contains no caffeine
Whether you’re pregnant, you have a sleep disorder or just want to stay away from caffeine, you may want to check the label on Barq’s root beer. While the original version of this drink does contain caffeine, the diet variety does not. The diet version of Barq’s is sweetened with aspartame, a sugar substitute. Aspartame is also an ingredient in Diet Coke.
The amount of caffeine in Barq’s Root Beer is quite small. The average 12-ounce can contains 22 milligrams of caffeine. This is not high, especially compared to the amount of caffeine consumed in a normal diet.
The caffeine content of Barq’s can vary by region. You can find both regular and diet versions of Barq’s at Coca-Cola Freestyle vending machines. In Utah, you can also buy the caffeine-free version of Barq’s.
If you’re interested in a caffeine-free version of Barq’s, you may want to try the company’s Red Creme Soda, which is sweetened with aspartame. This product used to be produced until the early 1990s. It is available in Canada and the United States.
Another caffeine-free root beer alternative is PepsiCo’s Mug Root Beer. This beverage is not made with caffeine, but it does contain phenylalanine. This substance is a known cause of phenylketonuria, a condition that can increase anxiety. If you have a condition like phenylketonuria, you should consult with your doctor about drinking caffeine-containing beverages.
Some root beer varieties are made with artificial flavors and food coloring. They may also contain trace amounts of caffeine. It’s important to read the label on the root beer you’re thinking about buying.
In addition to its root beer, the Coca-Cola Company has other products that are caffeine-free. They include French Vanilla Soda, Red Creme Soda and Diet Root Beer. All of these products are gluten-free in the U.S. and Canada.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under age 6 limit their caffeine intake to no more than 400 milligrams a day. According to the British National Health Service, adults should not consume more than 200 milligrams a day.