Mountain Dew Kickstart

Flavor:

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:

Rated at 1/5 green leaves, the Mountain Dew Kickstart Pineapple Orange Mango falls short of cleaner food standards due to its composition. The product is not organic, utilizes GMO ingredients, and contains a high level of added sugars. These sugars include high fructose corn syrup, acesulfame potassium, sucralose, and sucrose acetate isobutyrate, which contribute to its low rating.

Additionally, the beverage includes a range of potentially harmful additives. The presence of natural and artificial flavors, potassium sorbate, calcium disodium EDTA, and glycerol ester of rosin raises concerns. The use of Yellow 6, a known harmful additive, further diminishes the product’s standing. The inclusion of high fructose corn syrup is particularly alarming, as it is linked to various health issues and is heavily penalized in the scoring process.

The product does attempt to fortify with vitamins such as ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), niacinamide (Vitamin B3), calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5), and pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6). However, the potential benefits of these vitamins are overshadowed by the negative impact of the aforementioned ingredients.

The Mountain Dew Kickstart Pineapple Orange Mango’s composition reflects a broader issue in the food industry where products are often laden with unhealthy additives and sugars. Despite being marketed as an energy beverage, the health implications associated with its ingredients suggest that consumers should exercise caution.

The scoring system used to evaluate this product is designed to guide consumers toward healthier choices by highlighting the presence of undesirable ingredients. The Mountain Dew Kickstart Pineapple Orange Mango’s score of 1/5 green leaves indicates that it is a beverage best avoided for those seeking cleaner food options.