Mountain Dew

Flavor:

Kickstart® Pineapple Orange Mango

Ingredients:

Carbonated Water, High Fructose Corn Syrup, White Grape Juice Concentrate, Coconut Water Concentrate, Citric Acid, Sodium Polyphosphates (To Protect Flavor), Natural Flavor, Potassium Sorbate (Preserves Freshness), Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Gum Arabic, Caffeine, Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K, acesulfame K), Sucralose, Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Glycerol Ester Of Rosin, Calcium Disodium EDTA (To Protect Flavor), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, Yellow #6, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6)

Rating: We Avoid

Ingredient Score:

This product earns a 1/5 green leaf rating. The Mountain Dew Kickstart® Pineapple Orange Mango is a beverage that fails to meet the criteria for cleaner food options. It is not organic and contains genetically modified ingredients. The inclusion of added sugars, such as high fructose corn syrup, citric acid, and fructose, detracts significantly from its nutritional profile. The product also contains artificial sweeteners like acesulfame potassium, sucralose, and sucrose acetate isobutyrate, which further diminish its health value.

In addition to sugars and sweeteners, the presence of potentially harmful additives raises concerns. Ingredients such as natural flavors, potassium sorbate, calcium disodium EDTA, and glycerol ester of rosin are often scrutinized for their long-term effects on health. Moreover, Yellow 6, a synthetic dye, is used in this beverage, which is a known harmful additive.

The product also contains high fructose corn syrup, a sweetener that has been linked to various health issues when consumed in excess. This ingredient alone results in a significant deduction from the product’s overall score due to its negative impact on health.

The Mountain Dew Kickstart® Pineapple Orange Mango is a blend of carbonated water, juice concentrates, and added vitamins. However, the potential benefits provided by vitamins such as vitamin C, B3, and B6 are overshadowed by the detrimental components listed above. The use of coconut water concentrate does not compensate for the product’s overall lack of healthful qualities.

With these considerations, the product’s low green leaf rating reflects its position as an undesirable choice for consumers seeking healthier beverage options. It is clear that the product is far from being a clean food choice, and individuals looking for healthier alternatives should steer clear of this particular offering.