Dr. Pepper

Flavor:

Dr. Pepper

Ingredients:

Carbonated Water, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Caramel Color, Phosphoric Acid, Natural And Artificial Flavors, Sodium benzoate (Preservative), Caffeine

Rating: We Avoid

Ingredient Score:

Awarded a 1/5 green leaf rating, the ‘Dr. Pepper Dr. Pepper’ soda falls significantly short of cleaner food standards. This beverage is not organic, utilizes GMO ingredients, and is laden with added sugars, specifically high fructose corn syrup. The presence of caramel color and sodium benzoate, alongside natural and artificial flavors, raises concerns due to their potential health implications.

The product contains carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, caramel color, phosphoric acid, a mix of natural and artificial flavors, sodium benzoate as a preservative, and caffeine. Each of these ingredients contributes to the low rating. The lack of organic certification deducts from its score, signaling that the product may contain pesticide residues. GMO ingredients further detract from its cleanliness, as they are often associated with environmental and health concerns.

High fructose corn syrup, a significant source of added sugar, is a primary ingredient. Excessive consumption of such sugars is linked to various health issues, including obesity and diabetes. The product’s use of additional sugars compounds these concerns. Moreover, caramel color, an additive used to achieve a specific appearance, is scrutinized for its potential adverse effects on health. Sodium benzoate, included to extend shelf life, is also controversial due to its possible link to health problems when combined with vitamin C.

The inclusion of both natural and artificial flavors is another factor contributing to the product’s low rating. While ‘natural flavors’ can be misleading and encompass a range of substances, ‘artificial flavors’ are synthetic and may not align with the pursuit of cleaner eating.

The ‘Dr. Pepper Dr. Pepper’ embodies many of the attributes that consumers seeking healthier options aim to avoid. Its composition of non-organic, GMO, and additive-heavy ingredients makes it a product that stands in opposition to the ethos of clean eating. Therefore, it garners the minimum green leaf rating, and the recommendation is to seek alternative beverages that align more closely with cleaner, healthier dietary choices.