Mountain Dew

Flavor:

Original

Ingredients:

Carbonated Water, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Concentrated Orange Juice, Citric Acid, Natural Flavors, Sodium benzoate (Preserves Freshness), Caffeine, Sodium Citrate, Gum Arabic, Erythorbic Acid (Preserves Freshness), Calcium Disodium EDTA (To Protect Flavor), Yellow #5

Rating: We Avoid

Ingredient Score:

Mountain Dew Original earns a 1/5 green leaf rating on our scale for cleaner food options. This score reflects the product’s extensive use of ingredients that do not align with our criteria for healthful consumption.

The beverage is not organic and contains genetically modified organisms (GMOs). It lists high fructose corn syrup as a primary ingredient, a sweetener linked to various health issues and heavily penalized in our scoring system. Beyond added sugars, the inclusion of citric acid and fructose contributes negatively to the product’s profile.

Further scrutiny reveals a range of additives that raise concerns. Natural flavors and calcium disodium EDTA are present, which, while common in many processed foods, are often viewed with skepticism regarding their long-term health effects. Additionally, sodium citrate is used twice, possibly as a flavoring or preservative, which we regard as undesirable.

More alarming is the presence of sodium benzoate and Yellow 5, both of which are known for their potential adverse health impacts. Sodium benzoate, in particular, has attracted attention for its possible role in exacerbating hyperactivity in children and forming benzene, a known carcinogen, when combined with vitamin C.

The product’s heavy reliance on high fructose corn syrup is a significant factor in its low rating. This ingredient is not only a source of added sugar but has also been implicated in the rise of obesity and other metabolic diseases.

The Mountain Dew Original’s composition, dominated by non-organic, GMO, and various artificial additives, positions it far from the cleaner food options we advocate. Consumers seeking healthier alternatives are advised to consider other choices that better meet the standards of our green leaf rating system.