Overview
About Root beer
Root beer is a sweet, usually caffeine-free soda flavoured with wintergreen and sassafras, and that mix gives it a different trigger profile from cola.
It is caffeine-free, but it is loaded with sugar or high-fructose corn syrup, which makes it high in excess fructose and high FODMAP, a common cause of gas and bloating. The wintergreen and sassafras flavouring also brings a moderate dose of salicylates that cola does not.
Sensitivities
How Root beer scores
Watch for
What trips people up
- High in excess fructose (E) and high FODMAP (E) from the sugar or high-fructose corn syrup, a frequent trigger for bloating, gas and loose stools
- Moderate salicylates (C) from wintergreen (methyl salicylate) and sassafras flavouring, worth noting if you react to aspirin or salicylate-rich foods
- Caffeine-free, unlike cola, so it will not keep you awake, but the sugar load is just as high
Diet fit
Where it fits
Swap ideas
More alternatives
FAQ
Common questions about Root beer
Does root beer have caffeine?
Almost always no. Traditional and mainstream root beer is caffeine-free, which sets it apart from cola. The trade-off is a high sugar or high-fructose corn syrup load, so it is still a heavy soda even without the stimulant.
Why does root beer cause bloating or gas?
It is high in excess fructose and high FODMAP because of its sugar or high-fructose corn syrup content, and the carbonation adds gas. Together that can trigger bloating, wind and loose stools in people with fructose malabsorption or IBS.
Does root beer contain salicylates?
Yes, a moderate amount. The classic wintergreen and sassafras flavouring contains methyl salicylate, so root beer rates higher for salicylates than most colas. If you are salicylate-sensitive it is one to watch.
References
Read the background
Ratings reflect the Triggerbites ingredient database and may vary with portion size and preparation.