How Much Caffeine In Mountain Dew? | Learn on Mountain Dew

Whether you are a hobbyist or an energy drink enthusiast, the amount of caffeine in Mountain Dew is a topic that definitely needs to be discussed. With its bright green color and tangy taste, this soft drink has become one of the most popular beverages worldwide. But how much caffeine is included in each can? Is it enough to make you feel energized or keep you alert throughout the day? So grab yourself a can and get your daily dose of fizz – let’s dive right into unraveling how much caffeine in mountain dew.

What is the Caffeine? 

Caffeine is a CNS stimulant belonging to the methylxanthine class. It is commonly used for recreational purposes, as a wakefulness promoter, and as a mild cognitive enhancer to enhance alertness and attentional performance. Caffeine functions by blocking the binding of adenosine to the adenosine A1 receptor, thereby increasing the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. It has a similar three-dimensional structure to adenosine, enabling it to bind and block adenosine receptors. Additionally, caffeine raises cyclic AMP levels by nonselective inhibition of phosphodiesterase.

What is the Mountain Dew? 

Mountain Dew has become one of the most popular soft drinks in the United States and across the globe since its beginnings in the 1940s. With its distinctive bright green-yellow color and sweet citrus flavor, this highly caffeinated soda has cultivated a passionate fanbase. But how does its caffeine content compare to other popular beverages? Let’s take a closer look at the kick Mountain Dew packs.

How much caffeine in Mountain Dew?

A 12-ounce can of regular Mountain Dew contains 54 mg of caffeine. This is slightly more than the same amount of Coca-Cola, which has 34 mg, but less than Pepsi’s 38 mg.

In comparison, a tall Starbucks Pike Place roast coffee contains a whopping 260 mg caffeine in a 12 oz serving. An average cup of black tea offers 47 mg, while green tea has just 28 mg per 8 oz cup.

The source of Mountain Dew’s caffeine is synthetic or added during production. Unlike naturally caffeinated beverages like coffee and tea, soda obtains its caffeine through adding isolated or synthetic stimulants.

Caffeine Content & Comparison

Mountain Dew contains approximately 55.0 mg of caffeine per 12-ounce serving.

Soft drinks (12-ounce)	caffeine (mg)		Coffee and tea (8-ounce)	caffeine (mg)
Red Bull (8.2 oz)	80.0		Coffee, Drip	115-175
Jolt	71.2		Coffee, Brewed	80-135
Pepsi One	55.5		Coffee, Espresso (2 ounces)	100
Mountain Dew	55.0		Ben & Jerry’s Coffee Fudge Frozen Yogurt(8oz)	85
Mountain Dew Code Red	55.0		Coffee, Instant	65-100
Diet Mountain Dew	55.0		Tea, iced	47
Kick Citrus	54.0		Tea, brewed, imported brands (avg.)	60
Mellow Yellow	52.8		Tea, brewed, U.S. brands (avg.)	40
Surge	51.0		Tea, instant	30
Tab	46.8		Tea, green	15
Diet Coke	45.6		Hot cocoa	14
Shasta Cola	44.4		Coffee, Decaf, brewed	3-4
Shasta Cherry Cola	44.4		Coffee, Decaf, instant	2-3
Shasta Diet Cola	44.4		Dark chocolate (1 oz)	20 mg
RC Cola	43.0
Diet RC	43.0
Dr. Pepper	41.0
Diet Dr. Pepper	41.0
Diet Sunkist Orange	41.0
Mr. Pibb	40.0
Sugar-Free Mr. Pibb	40.0
Red Flash	40.0
Sunkist Orange	40.0
Slim-Fast Cappuccino Delight Shake	40.0
Ruby Red	39.0
Storm	38.0
Big Red	38.0
Pepsi-Cola	37.5
Pepsi Twist	37.5
Diet Pepsi Jazz	37.5
Diet Pepsi	36.0
Wild Cherry Pepsi	38.0
Diet Wild Cherry Pepsi	36.0
Diet Pepsi Twist	36.0
Aspen	36.0
Coca-Cola Classic	34.0
Cherry Coke	34.0
Lemon Coke	34.0
Vanilla Coke	34.0
Diet Cherry Coke	34.0
Snapple Flavored Teas (Reg. or Diet)	31.5
Canada Dry Cola	30.0
A&W Creme Soda	29.0
Nestea Sweet Iced Tea	26.5
Nestea Unsweetened Iced Tea	26.0
Barq’s Root Beer	23.0
A&W Diet Creme Soda	22.0
Slim-Fast Chocolate Flavors	20.0
Snapple Sweet Tea	12.0
Lipton Brisk, All Varieties	9
Canada Dry Diet Cola	1.2
Diet Rite Cola	0
Sprite	0
7-Up	0
Mug Root Beer	0
Diet Barq’s Root Beer	0
Sundrop Orange	0
Minute Maid Orange	0
A&W Root Beer	0
Slice	0
Sierra Mist	0
Fresca	0

Suitability as a Caffeine Source

The FDA recommends limiting caffeine intake to no more than 400 mg per day for healthy adults. This equates to around 4 to 5 cans of Mountain Dew. However, factors like age, medications, and health conditions affect how quickly caffeine is metabolized. Children and pregnant women are advised to limit intake to less than 100 mg daily.

Compared to coffee, Mountain Dew may provide a less intense caffeine rush. Its carbonation can aid absorption but does not match the purity of coffee’s naturally occurring caffeine. However, coffee may cause more potential side effects like jitteriness, headaches, and insomnia in sensitive individuals. For sustained energy without an extreme crash, Mountain Dew can be an option, albeit not the healthiest.

Potential Health Concerns

Alongside its high caffeine content, the other glaring concern with Mountain Dew is its sugar level. A 12 oz can packs a whopping 46 grams of sugar – equivalent to around 11 teaspoons. The American Heart Association recommends no more than 25 grams or 6 teaspoons of added sugar per day for women and 36 grams or 9 teaspoons for men.

This amount of sugar can lead to tooth decay, promote weight gain and increase the risk of chronic illnesses like heart disease and type 2 diabetes when consumed regularly. The acidity of soda also erodes tooth enamel over time.

Too much caffeine from any source can cause jitters, insomnia, headaches and anxiety in some individuals. Those with anxiety disorders or heart conditions may be at higher risk of adverse effects from the stimulant.

Healthier Alternatives

For those seeking an energy lift without the sugar rush, unsweetened coffee or tea are healthier options. Green tea in particular offers antioxidants alongside its moderate caffeine dose. Adding just a splash of milk or sugar minimizes bitterness without going overboard.

Fizzy flavored seltzer or sparkling water with fruit are also good lower-calorie Mountain Dew swaps. The small amount of bubbles can provide a sensation similar to soda. For citrus-lovers, squeezing in some fresh lemon, lime or orange adds natural flavor minus the syrupy sweetness.

Additional Considerations

Those following low-carb, keto, or diabetic diets will want to avoid Mountain Dew due to its high carbohydrate and glycemic index. The same applies for people with gluten intolerance, as most sodas contain gluten from their grain-based ingredients.

The ingredients, packaging and transportation needed to produce soda at scale also raise environmental concerns regarding plastic pollution and carbon emissions. However, opting for aluminum cans over plastic bottles can minimize waste.

Some health-conscious consumers may also wish to avoid specific artificial sweeteners, colors or preservatives used in Mountain Dew’s recipe. Though extensively tested, long-term data on modern soda ingredients remains limited.

In Conclusion

When consumed occasionally, Mountain Dew can be a tasty treat. But its high caffeine and sugar content should prompt moderation, especially for those sensitive to stimulants or calories. Seeking healthier energy-boosting alternatives like seltzer, tea or black coffee can provide a flavorful kick minus the crash. Being an informed consumer and choosing caffeine sources carefully is key to staying refreshed and energized while avoiding adverse health effects.