Dr Pepper Calories & Nutrition Facts (12 oz Can)

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Dr Pepper has 150 calories, 39g sugar, 40g carbs and 55mg sodium in a 12 fl oz can, plus about 41mg of caffeine. All the calories come from sugar. Per can, that is more than the American Heart Association's daily added-sugar limit for women (25g) and above the limit for men (36g).

Quick Nutrition Facts

Per 1 can (12 fl oz, 355 mL)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	150 kcal
Protein	0g
Carbohydrates	40g
Fiber	0g
Sugars	39g
Fat	0g
Sodium	55 mg

Macronutrient Breakdown

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NUTRITIONIST'S INSIGHT

A can of Dr Pepper is 150 calories of sugar and nothing else: no protein, fiber or fat. The 39g of added sugar is about 10 teaspoons, which is above the AHA's 36g daily limit for men and 25g for women, so one can uses up the whole day's allowance. It absorbs quickly with no fiber to slow it, so blood sugar rises faster than it does with the same carbs from a meal. Caffeine is moderate at roughly 41mg, a little under half a cup of coffee. If you drink it for the taste, a smaller can or sharing a bottle cuts the sugar without giving it up, and Dr Pepper Zero Sugar or Diet Dr Pepper keep the flavor with 0g sugar.

Myth Busters

MYTH #1: Dr Pepper has less sugar than other colas

TRUTH: A 12 fl oz can has 39g of sugar, the same as Coca-Cola Original and close to Pepsi (41g). The flavor is different; the sugar load is not. Dr Pepper Soda, 12 pk 12 oz cans (nutrition facts); Dr Pepper: Flavor, Ingredients & Nutrition

MYTH #2: Dr Pepper contains prune juice

TRUTH: This is a long-running rumor. The ingredient list shows carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, caramel color, phosphoric acid, natural and artificial flavors, sodium benzoate and caffeine. No prune juice is listed, and the company has said the flavor blend is 23 flavors. Dr Pepper: Flavor, Ingredients & Nutrition

MYTH #3: Dr Pepper has no caffeine because it is not a cola

TRUTH: A 12 fl oz can has about 41mg of caffeine. That is more than Coca-Cola Original (34mg) and less than a cup of brewed coffee (about 95mg). Dr Pepper: Flavor, Ingredients & Nutrition; Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine Is Too Much?

MYTH #4: One can of soda fits easily into a healthy day

TRUTH: The WHO recommends keeping free sugars under 10% of calories, about 50g on a 2,000-calorie diet, and under 5% for added benefit. One can uses 39g of that, and the AHA's stricter 25g and 36g limits are passed by a single can. Guideline: Sugars intake for adults and children; Added Sugars

NutriScore by Health Goals

Health Goal	NutriScore	Why This Score?
Weight Loss		150 calories with no protein or fiber, so it adds energy without any fullness. Liquid sugar is easy to drink on top of a meal. Dr Pepper Soda, 12 pk 12 oz cans (nutrition facts); Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Intake
High Protein		0g protein per can. It contributes nothing toward a protein target. Dr Pepper Soda, 12 pk 12 oz cans (nutrition facts)
Low Carb / Keto		40g of carbohydrate in one can exceeds a typical keto day's total of 20 to 50g. Dr Pepper Soda, 12 pk 12 oz cans (nutrition facts)
Heart Health		No fat and only 55mg of sodium, but 39g of added sugar is above the AHA daily limit, and regular sugary drink intake is linked to higher cardiovascular risk. Dr Pepper Soda, 12 pk 12 oz cans (nutrition facts); Added Sugars
Diabetes Management		39g of fast-absorbing sugar with no fiber, protein or fat to slow it, so it produces a quick glucose rise. Dr Pepper Soda, 12 pk 12 oz cans (nutrition facts); Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Intake
Nutrient Density		No vitamins, fiber or protein and no meaningful minerals. The calories are all sugar. Dr Pepper Soda, 12 pk 12 oz cans (nutrition facts)

PERSONALIZED NUTRITION

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Blood Sugar Response - Dr Pepper (1 can / 355 mL)

With 39g of sugar and no fiber, fat or protein, Dr Pepper digests quickly, so glucose climbs fast in the first 30 to 45 minutes and then drops back toward baseline by the 2-hour mark. The shape is a sharp, tall peak, similar to other regular sodas. Dr Pepper Soda, 12 pk 12 oz cans (nutrition facts); Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Intake

Estimated Blood Glucose Response (mg/dL)

Illustrative curve for a healthy adult drinking one can on its own. Drinking it with a meal lowers and delays the peak; individual insulin sensitivity changes the real curve.

How to flatten the spike

Drink it with a meal that has protein and fiber, not on an empty stomach.
Choose a smaller serving or split a can; the sugar scales directly with volume.
Take a 10 to 15 minute walk after to help muscles take up the glucose.
Swap in Dr Pepper Zero Sugar or sparkling water on most days.

Cultural Significance

Dr Pepper was created in 1885 by pharmacist Charles Alderton in Waco, Texas, and is often called the oldest major soft drink in the United States, a year before Coca-Cola. It is sold as a blend of 23 flavors and is written without a period. It is strongly associated with Texas, college football and barbecue. Recipes vary by country, and some markets with sugar taxes sell a lower-sugar formulation.

Compare & Substitute

Dr Pepper vs Similar Foods

Nutrient	Dr Pepper Zero Sugar (12 fl oz)	Diet Dr Pepper (12 fl oz)	Coca-Cola Original (12 fl oz)	Plain sparkling water (12 fl oz)
Calories	0 kcal	0 kcal	140 kcal	0 kcal
Protein	0g	0g	0g	0g
Carbohydrates	0g	0g	39g	0g
Fat	0g	0g	0g	0g

Frequently Asked Questions

How many calories are in a can of Dr Pepper?

A 12 fl oz can has 150 calories, all from 39g of sugar. A 20 fl oz bottle has about 250 calories.

How much sugar is in Dr Pepper?

39g per 12 fl oz can in the US, which is about 10 teaspoons and all of it added sugar. That is above the AHA's daily limit of 36g for men and 25g for women.

How much caffeine does Dr Pepper have?

About 41mg per 12 fl oz can, which is under half the caffeine in a cup of brewed coffee. Caffeine Free Dr Pepper is also sold.

Is Dr Pepper okay with diabetes?

Regular Dr Pepper has 40g of carbohydrate per can and raises blood sugar quickly, so it is a poor everyday choice. Dr Pepper Zero Sugar has no carbohydrate. Ask your care team how to count it in your plan.

Is Dr Pepper healthier than Coke?

No. The sugar and calories are nearly identical per 12 fl oz can: 150 versus 140 calories and 39g sugar for both. Dr Pepper has slightly more caffeine.

What is the difference between Dr Pepper and Dr Pepper Zero Sugar?

Dr Pepper Zero Sugar has 0 calories and 0g sugar, sweetened with aspartame and acesulfame potassium instead of high fructose corn syrup. The flavor is close but the zero-sugar version is slightly sharper.