# I get a much bigger buzz on fountain soft drinks than canned. Why? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 16, 2021, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-a-much-bigger-buzz-on-fountain-soft-drinks-than-canned-why/950777 "2021-09-16T20:41:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jharvey963](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/54ee81/32.png) [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2021, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-a-much-bigger-buzz-on-fountain-soft-drinks-than-canned-why/950777/1 "2021-09-16T20:41:58Z")
I drink diet Coke and I’ve found that I get a lot more buzz from a fountain drink than I do from an equivalent amount of canned diet Coke. Does anyone else notice this? Do they purposely crank up the strength in the fountain, assuming you’re going to fill up the cup with ice? I normally only fill up the cup about 1/4 with ice. Thanks, J. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2021, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-a-much-bigger-buzz-on-fountain-soft-drinks-than-canned-why/950777/2 "2021-09-16T21:01:32Z")
Are you sure it’s an equivalent amount? A can is only 12 ounces - a fountain soda can easily be more than twice that. ---
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2021, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-a-much-bigger-buzz-on-fountain-soft-drinks-than-canned-why/950777/3 "2021-09-16T21:06:43Z")
I thought the reason they call them soft drinks it because you don’t get a buzz. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2021, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-a-much-bigger-buzz-on-fountain-soft-drinks-than-canned-why/950777/4 "2021-09-16T21:17:30Z")
My experience has been the opposite. I get more “buzz” from the can. I remember in the olden days, you’d fill up the cup halfway then have to wait for the buzz to dissipate to fill up the rest. Now it think fountain machine are designed differently so that the buzz dissapates faster so you can fill up the cup faster. (An obvious advantage for fast food employees) ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2021, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-a-much-bigger-buzz-on-fountain-soft-drinks-than-canned-why/950777/5 "2021-09-16T21:24:48Z")
I assume they mean caffeine buzz and not an alcohol buzz. ---
**Author:** ![jharvey963](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/54ee81/32.png) [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2021, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-a-much-bigger-buzz-on-fountain-soft-drinks-than-canned-why/950777/6 "2021-09-16T21:28:07Z")
I have a 44 oz. cup that I use. If I fill it at a fountain, I put some ice in the bottom, then fill with soda. At home, I put some ice in the bottom, then fill it with soda. Should be roughly equivalent. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2021, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-a-much-bigger-buzz-on-fountain-soft-drinks-than-canned-why/950777/7 "2021-09-16T21:30:21Z")
Well shoot. I think I completely misunderstood what the OP was asking. I thought we were talking about foam build up while pouring. lol ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2021, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-a-much-bigger-buzz-on-fountain-soft-drinks-than-canned-why/950777/8 "2021-09-16T21:36:57Z")
I know that McDonalds’ Coke is slightly “stronger” than what you’d get in a can or bottle to account for ice melt. I’d imagine other such places do something similar. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2021, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-a-much-bigger-buzz-on-fountain-soft-drinks-than-canned-why/950777/9 "2021-09-17T02:26:14Z")
What buzz are you getting from coke? If it’s caffeine, what does that feel like? I’ve never felt any effect from a coffee so I’m not sure what is supposed to be happening. (I drink coffee regularly it just doesn’t seem to _do_ anything.) ---
**Author:** ![actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/actualliberalnotoneofthose)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2021, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-a-much-bigger-buzz-on-fountain-soft-drinks-than-canned-why/950777/10 "2021-09-17T07:02:09Z")
A lot of people get something from caffeine, and that’s why they use it. I enjoy coffee, but a lot of people slam it down for the caffeine only. And so many people drink soft drinks (I hate them and think they are terrible for enjoyment as well as health) for the same thing plus the sugar. Then you have millions of daily Monster, Red Bull, Bang, Reign, pre-workout users. I try to limit my intake to 300-400mg per day at the most, but I know a lot of people on 900-1200 like it’s nothing, and these folks certainly have some sort of ‘buzz’ going on in a sense. ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2021, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-a-much-bigger-buzz-on-fountain-soft-drinks-than-canned-why/950777/11 "2021-09-17T10:00:01Z")
> **[Soft drink](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soft_drink)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > > > A soft drink (see § Terminology for other names) is a drink that usually contains water (often carbonated), a sweetener, and a natural and/or artificial flavoring. The sweetener may be a sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, fruit juice, a sugar substitute (in the case of diet drinks), or some combination of these. Soft drinks may also contain caffeine, colorings, preservatives, and/or other ingredients. > Soft drinks are called "soft" in contrast wi... Soft drinks are called “soft” in contrast with “hard” alcoholic drinks. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2021, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-a-much-bigger-buzz-on-fountain-soft-drinks-than-canned-why/950777/12 "2021-09-17T12:08:46Z")
> [@Richard\_Pearse](#): > > I drink coffee regularly it just doesn’t seem to _do_ anything. Next time, try shotgunning a 44 oz. cup of coffee and see if you notice anything different. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2021, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-a-much-bigger-buzz-on-fountain-soft-drinks-than-canned-why/950777/13 "2021-09-17T12:17:18Z")
Or try some of these. > **[The 12+ Deadliest (Strongest) Coffee Brands](https://www.caffeineinformer.com/strongest-coffee-brands)** > > The deadliest (strongest) coffee brands based on the extremely high amount of caffeine in a typical serving. Many claim to be the world's strongest coffee. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2021, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-a-much-bigger-buzz-on-fountain-soft-drinks-than-canned-why/950777/14 "2021-09-17T13:04:37Z")
Fountain soda dispensers work by mixing flavor syrup and carbonated water right there at the source. While some use a pre-mix canister most use a syrup Bag In the Box, or BIB. The fountain owner can adjust the amount of syrup content to enhance flavor, compensate for ice melt, or they can adjust it downward to increase profit. If you’re getting more syrup in your drink then you are also getting more caffeine. Try a Super Dew some time. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2021, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-a-much-bigger-buzz-on-fountain-soft-drinks-than-canned-why/950777/15 "2021-09-17T13:23:48Z")
I’m not terribly caffeine sensitive myself (no problem falling asleep after a few cups of coffee), but if I get the dosage high enough, the feeling is one of more focus/concentration, energy, sped-up heartbeat – just generally amped up and ready to go. Perhaps mild euphoria, too. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2021, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-a-much-bigger-buzz-on-fountain-soft-drinks-than-canned-why/950777/16 "2021-09-17T14:04:30Z")
> [@Richard\_Pearse](#): > > If it’s caffeine, what does that feel like? I’ve never felt any effect from a coffee so I’m not sure what is supposed to be happening. Like all drugs, different people experience it differently. I’m much the same as you: I like a cup in the morning and I’m sure it takes the fuzzy edges off and makes me a little more focused, but I don’t perceive any physical sensations from caffeine unless I have way too much way too quickly. There have been periods of my life when I’d have lots and lots of caffeine over the course of a day and I’d never notice any withdrawal effects on weekends or when I eventually cut way back on my daily intake. But plenty of people get a buzz, and plenty of people need and/or love their morning cup because it’s leveling out genuine withdrawal symptoms. I recently listened to a long-form piece by Michael Pollan called _Caffeine_, where he gives a brief overview of the history and science of caffeine. He goes cold turkey over the course of writing it and definitely has some trouble. He also describes his first cup after several months without caffeine as euphoric. I think he likened it to cocaine. At the end of the story, he says he’s trying to keep limit his intake but that he keeps finding himself making excuses to drive past his favorite coffee shops or to justify an extra cup: addict behavior. So no buzz or euphoria for me, but no withdrawal either. I count it in the ‘win’ category. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2021, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-a-much-bigger-buzz-on-fountain-soft-drinks-than-canned-why/950777/17 "2021-09-17T14:20:47Z")
I wouldn’t call it a buzz at all, at least not in the sense of the buzz you get after some alcohol. But an example of caffeine’s effects on me are that sometimes in the morning, I’ll be groggy, sleepy, lethargic, etc… and after a cup of coffee or two, I’m much more normal. I don’t feel _better_ than I would at say… 1 pm, but I don’t have that “just woke up” constellation of relatively unpleasant symptoms. If I keep on going and have 3-4 cups, I’ll go past that, and into a somewhat revved-up state, where I’m very aware, kind of jittery, etc… I suspect caffeine hits everyone differently due to weight, body chemistry, tolerance to caffeine, and so on, and I imagine the OP is more sensitive than most. And as such, the reason they’d be more likely to notice a “buzz” from fountain soda vs. canned is that canned soda is mixed precisely by the bottlers, likely with periodic calibration and lab analysis, while fountain sodas likely have a lot more variation than the canned product, as the soda fountains are not as tightly controlled and get out of whack, and dispense “stronger” soda vs the regularly calibrated standard as canned/bottled by the bottling companies. Or like @pkbites says, the fountain owner may tweak the concentration themselves. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2021, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-a-much-bigger-buzz-on-fountain-soft-drinks-than-canned-why/950777/18 "2021-09-17T14:42:12Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Try a Super Dew some time. An all syrup super squishy? [Such a thing has never been done…](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DboyiioRWXo) ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2021, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-a-much-bigger-buzz-on-fountain-soft-drinks-than-canned-why/950777/19 "2021-09-17T16:19:57Z")
And that’s pretty much the effect it has. +Plus+ palpitations.