Does Great Value Cola Have Caffeine? A Nutrition Diet Analysis

October 11, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), up to 400 milligrams of caffeine a day is generally not associated with negative effects for healthy adults. However, when considering your daily caffeine intake, it's important to know the sources, which leads many to ask, 'does Great Value Cola have caffeine?' Yes, the regular version of Great Value Cola does contain caffeine, while the cream soda is explicitly labeled as caffeine-free.

Quick Summary

The Great Value brand's regular cola contains caffeine, as explicitly listed in its ingredients. For a balanced nutrition diet, understanding caffeine content in beverages like cola is crucial. Comparing caffeine levels between various soft drinks and understanding potential health impacts can help guide healthier choices and moderation. Alternatives such as water and milk offer hydration without the stimulants or added sugars.

Key Points

Caffeine is an Ingredient: Yes, regular Great Value Cola contains caffeine, which is listed in its ingredients list.
Ingredient Labels are Key: To confirm caffeine content, always check the product's ingredient list, as not all beverages require the amount to be on the nutrition facts panel.
High in Sugar: Beyond caffeine, colas are typically high in added sugars, contributing empty calories that are detrimental to a healthy diet.
Monitor Total Intake: Be mindful of your total daily caffeine consumption from all sources, including coffee, tea, and chocolate, to avoid potential negative health effects.
Hydration Alternatives: Water is the best and healthiest choice for hydration. Options like sparkling water with fruit or herbal teas can also satisfy flavor cravings without the caffeine and sugar.
Kids and Caffeine: Medical experts advise limiting or avoiding caffeine for children and adolescents due to their heightened sensitivity to its effects.

Decoding the Ingredients: Why Great Value Cola Has Caffeine

When examining the ingredients list for Great Value Cola, a key component is caffeine, which is added for its stimulating properties and flavor enhancement. While naturally occurring in plants like coffee beans and tea leaves, synthetic caffeine is commonly added to a variety of packaged foods and drinks, including cola beverages. This is not a hidden detail but a listed ingredient, which is required for packaged foods where caffeine is added directly.

For consumers, this means that every time they drink a regular Great Value Cola, they are consuming a stimulant. This is different from other flavors under the same brand, such as Great Value Cream Soda, which explicitly states it is caffeine-free. Reading the ingredients label is therefore the most reliable way to confirm the presence of caffeine in any specific product.

Great Value Cola and Its Role in Your Diet

For those focusing on a nutrition diet, understanding the complete profile of a beverage is essential, not just the caffeine content. Sodas like Great Value Cola are often high in added sugars or artificial sweeteners, and low in any beneficial nutrients. For instance, a Canadian nutrition facts entry shows Great Value Cola contains 11.7g of carbs per 93.8 ml, all from sugars. Excessive consumption of sugary drinks can lead to weight gain and increase the risk of other health issues, so these should be limited.

For most healthy adults, moderate caffeine intake (up to 400 mg daily) is generally not harmful. However, individuals sensitive to caffeine or those with certain health conditions, such as anxiety, heart problems, or sleep disorders, should monitor their intake carefully. For children and teens, experts recommend limiting or avoiding caffeinated drinks entirely due to potential adverse effects like increased heart rate, anxiety, and sleep disruption.

Comparing Popular Sodas: Caffeine and Sugar Content

Understanding how different brands stack up can help consumers make informed decisions. The following table provides a comparison of caffeine and sugar content for a standard 12-ounce serving of several popular sodas and compares them to regular Great Value Cola, which has a moderate amount of caffeine.


Beverage (12 oz.)	Caffeine Content	Sugar Content (approx.)
Great Value Cola	~13-20 mg (estimated)	~44g
Coca-Cola Classic	34 mg	~39g
Diet Coke	46 mg	0g
Pepsi-Cola	38 mg	~41g
Dr. Pepper	41 mg	~40g
Mountain Dew	54 mg	~46g
Sunkist Orange	19 mg (in a 12 oz. can)	~44g

Note: Caffeine and sugar content can vary by region and size. Data for Great Value is based on available ingredient information and third-party analysis for a 2L bottle. A 2007 study found Sam's Cola (Walmart's house brand at the time) to have 12.7 mg per 12 oz, suggesting Great Value's caffeine content is similarly on the lower end compared to major brands.

Making Healthier Choices: Caffeine and Hydration

For a truly healthy nutrition diet, water remains the best choice for hydration, as it contains no calories, sugar, or caffeine. Switching from sugary, caffeinated sodas to water can significantly reduce caloric intake and help prevent dehydration, which is a side effect of excessive caffeine consumption.

How to transition to healthier drinks:
- Gradually replace one soda a day with a glass of water to help your body adjust.
- For those who miss the fizz, sparkling water or seltzer with a splash of fruit juice or a lemon wedge can be a satisfying substitute.
- Herbal teas are caffeine-free and offer a variety of flavors.
- Fruit-infused water can provide flavor without the sugar or artificial ingredients.

Important Considerations for Caffeine Intake

Beyond just the brand, it is crucial to consider the total amount of caffeine consumed from all sources, including coffee, tea, chocolate, and certain medications or supplements. For example, even 'decaffeinated' coffee and tea contain small amounts of caffeine. The FDA recommends a daily limit of 400 mg for most adults, but individual tolerance varies greatly. Signs of excessive caffeine intake can include restlessness, insomnia, anxiety, and a rapid heartbeat.

Conclusion

In summary, Great Value Cola does contain caffeine, with the ingredient listed on its label. While it contains a moderate amount compared to other sodas, its high sugar content makes it a less-than-ideal choice for a healthy diet. Replacing sugary, caffeinated drinks like Great Value Cola with water or other healthier alternatives is a simple but effective strategy for improving overall nutrition and hydration. Understanding how to read labels and monitor your total daily caffeine intake from all sources is key to making informed dietary choices that support your health and wellness goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, regular Great Value Cola contains caffeine, as it is listed as an ingredient. However, other flavored Great Value sodas, such as Cream Soda, are explicitly labeled as caffeine-free.

While the exact amount can vary and may not be listed on the nutrition panel, available information suggests it contains a moderate amount of caffeine, likely lower than major brand-name colas.

When caffeine is directly added to a packaged food or beverage, it must be listed in the ingredients list. However, if caffeine comes from a naturally occurring source within an ingredient (e.g., guarana), the amount is not required on the nutrition facts panel.

For some individuals, excessive caffeine intake can cause restlessness, insomnia, anxiety, and a rapid heartbeat. Pregnant and breastfeeding women, and those with certain health conditions, should limit their intake.

For optimal health, water is the best choice for hydration, as it contains no calories or sugar. Other healthier alternatives include sparkling water with fruit, herbal teas, or low-fat milk.

The FDA states that 400 milligrams of caffeine per day is not generally associated with negative effects for most healthy adults, though individual tolerance can vary.

Caffeine is added to cola-type beverages for its stimulating properties and to contribute to the drink's overall flavor profile.