Mountain Dew, Orange Crush, and 9 Other Sodas You Should Avoid at All Costs

With their fizzy mouthfeel and refreshing taste, sodas can be extremely satisfying (and seemingly thirst-quenching). But the reality is that most of these beverages are laden with sugar and caffeine, and provide little nutritional value or hydration. While most sodas deliver a quick rush of energy due to their high sugar content, this is usually followed by a dreaded crash that leaves you feeling sluggish and out of sorts. 

The caffeine in many of these popular drinks can also trigger an increased heart rate and anxiety, which can disrupt your sleep pattern and leave you feeling exhausted. Plus, the empty calories in sugary sodas can contribute to weight gain and lead to more serious health issues like obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes, according to the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health.

Here are 11 sodas you might want to avoid due to their high sugar and caffeine content.

Known for its vibrant green hue and crisp taste, Mountain Dew contains a high caffeine content of about 55 milligrams per 12 ounce Its sugar content is also staggering at around 46 grams per serving (about 11 teaspoons of sugar!). This combination makes it one of the most stimulating sodas on the market, which can be appealing to those looking for a quick energy boost. 

But don't be fooled — the Dew's high-calorie content and lack of essential nutrients make it a poor choice for hydration or health. According to one Redditor whose daughter-in-law works as a dentist, she sees "more patients with Mountain Dew mouth than meth mouth." Do yourself a favor and do not google "meth mouth." 

Related: Mountain Dew Moonshine and More Secret Brand Histories

Offering a refreshing burst of orange (despite not containing any actual orange), this soda comes with 44 grams of sugar per 12 ounce serving, and no caffeine. The high sugar content can lead to rapid spikes in blood sugar levels, making it a less than ideal choice for those managing diabetes or looking to maintain stable energy levels throughout the day. Orange Crush also lacks any nutritional value, and offers zero vitamins or minerals that are beneficial for health. 

Instead of pouring all that sugar into your body, consider giving our dirty sodas a try. This way you can control what goes into it and customize flavors to your liking. 

Related: 15 Meaningless Nutritional Claims by Some of Your Favorite Foods

Arguably the most iconic soda, Coca-Cola contains 39 grams of sugar and about 34 milligrams of caffeine per 12 ounces (46 milligrams for Diet Coke). The drink's classic flavor comes from a mix of high fructose corn syrup and caffeine, which provide an instant pleasure hit but also contribute to long-term health issues like obesity and tooth decay. Drinking soda regularly can potentially lead to caffeine dependency and withdrawal symptoms, a study finds. 

Let's just put is this way — anything that can remove rust from cast-iron cookware probably isn't great for your digestive system. 

Related: Kick Your Diet Coke Habit With These 10 Healthier Alternatives to Soda

If you thought you'd simply switch to Pepsi, we hate to rain on your parade, but it's worse. Very similar to Coca-Cola in its makeup, Pepsi packs slightly more sugar at 41 grams per 12 ounces, and about 38 milligrams of caffeine. While some say it offers a slightly sweeter and sharper taste compared to its main competitor, it still shares the same health implications due to its high sugar and caffeine levels. 

Related: Pepsi Pushes 'Pilk:' A Pepsi Cola and Milk 'Dirty Soda'

Boasting a unique blend of 23 flavors, Dr Pepper (not a real doctor) offers 40 grams of sugar and around 41 milligrams of caffeine per 12 ounces While its distinct taste is a favorite among soda lovers, it poses similar health risks — including an increased risk of dental problems and weight gain. Its high caffeine content can also lead to insomnia and stomach irritability in sensitive individuals.

Dr Pepper also has a pretty high sodium content (55 milligrams), which can contribute to increased blood pressure and cardiovascular strain if consumed in excess. 

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This one sucks because Fanta Pineapple is so delicious. Bursting with tropical flavor, this soda just hits different on a scorching summer day. But sadly, it contains about 48 grams of sugar per 12 ounces (at least it has no caffeine, though). While it might seem like a fun, fruity option, its high sugar content can significantly impact blood sugar levels and contribute to tooth decay. 

Despite its appealing flavor, Fanta Pineapple offers no nutritional benefits, lacks any vitamins, minerals, or fiber, and is a less-than-ideal choice for those seeking healthy beverage options.

Related: 11 Absurdly Easy Recipes That Start With a Can of Soda

Known for its caramel flavor with a hint of vanilla, Barq's contains 44 grams of sugar per 12-ounce serving, and about 22 milligrams of caffeine. Though its caffeine content is lower than some other brands, the high sugar level still poses health risks and won't help with proper hydration. Its sodium content of 65 milligrams is also quite high for a soda. 

Offering a bold fruity flavor that is both sweet and refreshing, Crush Strawberry is a definite fan favorite. "It’s like drinking a can of candy," says one user. But each 12-ounce serving of Crush Strawberry contains about 43 grams of sugar, putting it on the higher end of soft drinks. Like other Crush varieties, it is also caffeine-free.

But its high sugar content can lead to blood sugar spikes and subsequent energy crashes, which are not ideal for overall health management. It also does not provide any nutritional benefits in the way of essential vitamins, minerals, or fiber. 

Another orange-flavored soda, Sunkist packs a whopping 52 grams of sugar per 12 ounces (that's more than other sodas), and contains about 40 milligrams of caffeine. Its high sugar and caffeine content make it one of the more problematic sodas — especially for individuals trying to manage energy levels and maintain a healthy diet.

Sunkist's other flavors, including peach and fruit punch, are also not much better in terms of sugar. It's peach-flavored soda boasts about 46 grams of sugar per 12 ounce serving, while the fruit punch one packs 48 grams.

A popular choice for those who prefer a creamy, smooth vanilla flavor in their soda, Mug's is certainly a favorite for many pop lovers. Known for its rich, frothy head when poured, it's reminiscent of a classic cream soda. "Cream soda, so good," writes one Redditor — we have to agree. But sadly, it also contains 47 grams of sugar per 12-ounce serving, which is on par with many other sweetened soft drinks. 

Though it does not contain caffeine, it also doesn't offer any real nutritional benefits and should be consumed in moderation due to its high sugar content. 

This beloved lemon-lime soda is caffeine-free but contains 38 grams of sugar per 12 ounce serving. Its refreshing taste can be appealing, especially on a hot day, but like other sodas on this list, it does not offer much nutritional value, and could contribute to health problems if consumed in excess. Its cousin, Sprite, also boasts the same amount of sugar per can.

Contrary to most sodas on this list, though, 7-UP contains 60 milligrams of potassium per serving. Potassium is an essential mineral that can help lower blood pressure and reduce fluid retention. Though considering most health authorities recommend a daily intake of 3,500 to 4,700 milligrams of potassium, you're probably better off looking to sources that are higher in potassium such as fruits, vegetables, and fish, rather than chugging cans of 7-Up.