How Much Sugar Is In Mountain Dew? | Potential Health Risks

Are you curious about the sugar content of Mountain Dew? Sugar-sweetened beverages like soda and energy drinks can add a lot of unnecessary calories to your diet if consumed in excess. While they can be enjoyed as an occasional treat, it’s important to understand the nutritional facts associated with these products before making any decisions. Today we’re discussing how much sugar is in Mountain Dew so that you can make more informed decisions when it comes to choosing what types of drinks are right for you. Read on to find out just exactly how much added sugar is lurking inside this popular beverage.

Comparing Sugar Content across Beverages

When examining the sugar content of various drinks, it’s useful to view their nutrition information side-by-side. Here is a comparison of the total sugar in 12-ounce servings of some popular beverages:

Beverage	Serving Size	Grams of Sugar
Coca-Cola	12 fl oz	39 g
Pepsi	12 fl oz	41 g
Mountain Dew	12 fl oz	46 g
Orange Juice	12 fl oz	33 g
Apple Juice	12 fl oz	39 g
Gatorade	12 fl oz	21 g

As the data shows, Mountain Dew contains significantly more sugar per serving than other common drinks. A 12-ounce can of Mountain Dew includes 46 grams of sugar, noticeably higher than even most other sodas.

Visualizing Teaspoons of Sugar

Grams of sugar can be difficult to contextualize. To make the numbers more tangible, we can convert grams to the equivalent teaspoons of sugar:

• 46 grams of sugar = 11.5 teaspoons of sugar

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To put that into perspective, here are the teaspoon equivalents for the sugar content in other popular beverages:

• Coca-Cola: 9.75 teaspoons
• Orange Juice: 8.25 teaspoons
• Gatorade: 5.25 teaspoons

The takeaway: A single 12-ounce Mountain Dew contains over 11 teaspoons of added sugar. That’s nearly three times more than Gatorade. Visualizing sugar content using teaspoons provides a clear picture of just how much sweetener we’re consuming through drinks alone.

Health Impact of Excess Sugar Intake

Consuming excessive added sugar from sodas and other beverages can negatively impact health in various ways:

Tooth Decay and Dental Issues

• Sugar feeds the plaque bacteria in your mouth, increasing risk of cavities and tooth decay.
• Frequent exposure to sugary drinks deteriorates tooth enamel.
• Acids in soda erode and weaken teeth over time.

Weight Gain and Obesity

• Extra calories from sugar are stored as fat, potentially leading to obesity.
• Studies show sugary drink consumption linked to risk of weight gain and obesity, especially in children.

Type 2 Diabetes

• Too much sugar spikes blood sugar and insulin levels, increasing diabetes risk.
• People who drink 1-2 sugary drinks daily have a 26% greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Due to its very high sugar content, drinking Mountain Dew regularly significantly increases your risk of dental problems and other health issues over time.

Making Informed Beverage Choices

Realistically, completely avoiding all sugar is nearly impossible today. However, we can all make small changes to limit sugar intake from drinks:

• Choose water, unsweetened coffee/tea, or sparkling water as your daily go-to beverages.
• If you enjoy soda or juice, treat them as occasional indulgences rather than daily habits.
• When you do opt for soda or juice, stick to smaller portion sizes (12 oz or less).
• Always check nutrition labels and choose lower-sugar options when possible.
• Keep sugary drinks out of reach at home to help avoid mindless overconsumption.
• Don’t keep soda stocked or readily available. Out of sight is out of mind.

While we each have different sugar tolerances, making mindful beverage choices based on moderation, portion control, and balance is key to limiting health risks.

Maintaining Good Oral Health and Hygiene

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Along with monitoring sugar intake, regular dental checkups and proper oral hygiene are also crucial for protecting your teeth.

• Visit your dentist every 6 months for an exam and cleaning. Professional cleanings prevent plaque buildup and tooth decay.
• Brush teeth twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste. Brushing removes leftover food and plaque from tooth surfaces.
• Floss daily to remove plaque between teeth that brushing misses. Flossing optimizes cleaning between tight teeth.
• Swish with an antibacterial mouthwash daily to kill bacteria left over after brushing. Mouthwash reaches crevices that flossing and brushing can’t.

Consistent oral hygiene limits sugar exposure time in your mouth, preventing decay. Your dentist can catch issues early and keep your smile healthy.

Conclusion

The bottom line is that Mountain Dew contains an alarmingly high amount of added sugar – over 46 grams, or 11.5 teaspoons per 12-ounce serving. This level of sugar content is concerning, especially when consumed habitually over time.

While an occasional sugary treat may be fine for most healthy individuals, making Mountain Dew a daily habit dramatically increases your risk of obesity, diabetes, cavities, and other health issues. Children and teens are especially vulnerable.

As with many things in life, moderation is key. Be mindful of your beverage choices, limit portion sizes of sugary drinks, and focus on increasing your intake of refreshing unsweetened options like water and sparkling water. Drink Mountain Dew in small amounts if you truly enjoy it, but don’t make it a dietary staple.

Your health and smile will thank you for cutting back on the sweet stuff. Support your oral health further by maintaining vigilant brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings. Monitoring both your sugar consumption and dental hygiene is the formula for keeping your body and mouth feeling their best.