Is Mountain Dew Zero Sugar Keto-Friendly?

Mountain Dew Zero Sugar is a new drink from Mountain Dew that contains no sugar and no carbs, making it a keto-friendly option for those on the keto diet. However, some people consider it to be 'Dirty Keto' due to its inclusion of artificial sweeteners and other unhealthy ingredients such as aspartame, acesulfame potassium, and sucralose. While these sweeteners are carb-free, they have been linked to potential gut health issues and negative health effects with long-term use.

Mountain Dew Zero Sugar is keto-friendly

The drink is sweetened with aspartame, a sweetener that has been the subject of controversy over the last two decades. A 2006 animal study suggested that aspartame increases the risk of cancer. However, this study was widely discredited, and subsequent analyses, including one by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), found no link between normal aspartame consumption and cancer.

Mountain Dew Zero Sugar also contains acesulfame potassium, also known as "Ace-K", which is not popular in the keto community. However, more than 100 FDA-reviewed studies support the safety of acesulfame potassium.

In addition, Mountain Dew Zero Sugar is sweetened with sucralose, a common keto-friendly sugar alcohol. While some sweeteners are associated with negative health effects, over 100 FDA-reviewed studies support the safety of sucralose.

It is important to note that a small number of people have found that artificial sweeteners can interfere with their ketosis. If you are unsure about how your body reacts to artificial sweeteners, it is recommended to experiment with Mountain Dew Zero Sugar in small portions before integrating it into your diet.

Mountain Dew Zero Sugar is available in 20-ounce and two-liter bottles, 12-packs of 12-ounce cans, and other containers, providing a keto-friendly option for those who enjoy the taste of Mountain Dew.

It contains zero carbs

Mountain Dew Zero Sugar is a great option for those on a keto diet as it contains zero carbs. This means you can enjoy the taste of soda without compromising ketosis. Staying hydrated is a challenge on keto, and while water is the best option, Mountain Dew Zero Sugar can be a tasty, low-carb alternative.

Mountain Dew Zero Sugar is sweetened with aspartame, acesulfame potassium, and sucralose. These sweeteners are keto-friendly and carb-free, ensuring the drink aligns with keto guidelines. Aspartame, in particular, has been the subject of controversy due to a 2006 animal study suggesting a link to cancer. However, subsequent analyses, including one by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), found no connection between aspartame consumption and cancer risk.

While Mountain Dew Zero Sugar is keto-friendly due to its zero-carb content, it's important to note that it falls under the category of "Dirty Keto." This label is assigned to low-carb foods containing unhealthy ingredients. In the case of Mountain Dew Zero Sugar, it's the artificial sweeteners and additives like acesulfame K, potassium benzoate, and yellow #5 that contribute to this classification. These ingredients may lead to gut health issues and potential long-term health problems.

To summarise, Mountain Dew Zero Sugar is keto-friendly due to its zero-carb content, and it can be a convenient option for those on a keto diet. However, it's important to be aware of the potential health implications associated with its artificial sweeteners and additives, which align it with the "Dirty Keto" category. As with any food or beverage, moderation is key, and it's always a good idea to prioritise nutritious, minimally processed options like broccoli, olives, and mackerel to achieve healthy weight loss on the keto diet.

It contains artificial sweeteners

Mountain Dew Zero Sugar is a drink that contains artificial sweeteners. These sweeteners are aspartame, acesulfame potassium (or acesulfame K), and sucralose. Aspartame has been the subject of controversy over the last 20 years, with a 2006 animal study suggesting it increases the risk of cancer. However, this study was widely criticised, and subsequent analyses, including one by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), found no link between cancer and normal aspartame consumption. Acesulfame potassium is also an ingredient that is unpopular in the keto community, although more than 100 FDA-reviewed studies support its safety. Sucralose is a common keto-friendly sugar alcohol, and again, more than 100 FDA-reviewed studies support its safety.

Although these artificial sweeteners are carb-free, some people have found that they can interfere with ketosis. It is recommended that you experiment with Mountain Dew Zero Sugar in small portions to see how your body reacts before integrating it into your normal diet. There are also other sodas available that use keto-friendly sweeteners such as stevia, monk fruit, or erythritol.

It contains harmful food additives

Mountain Dew Zero is considered "Dirty Keto" because it is a low-carb beverage that contains harmful food additives. These additives include potassium benzoate and yellow #5, which are best avoided for keto. Food additives are potentially harmful to health and should be avoided as much as possible. Most of your diet should come from minimally processed foods to achieve healthy weight loss on keto.

Potassium benzoate is a preservative that can impair brain development. In clinical trials, it impaired memory and motor coordination, increased malondialdehyde levels in the brain (a marker of oxidative stress), and produced ADHD in children. While trials are still ongoing, this additive has been questioned several times in recent history regarding its safety for human consumption. It is linked to fetal cognitive impairment and child obesity and has induced anxiety and motor problems in rat models. In a cell model, it induced mutations and toxicity, suggesting further safety analyses are needed.

Yellow #5, or tartrazine, is a synthetic lemon yellow azo dye. It is one of the most widely used food colourings, found in beverages, desserts, processed cheese, sauces, jams, sweets, and medicines. However, it is a common cause of allergic and intolerance reactions, including asthma, skin reactions, and behavioural changes. It is banned in Norway and Austria and was banned in Germany until 2001.

Mountain Dew Zero also contains artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, acesulfame K, and sucralose. While these sweeteners are carb-free, they may lead to gut health problems when consumed regularly. Aspartame, in particular, has attracted controversy over the last twenty years. A 2006 animal study suggested that aspartame increases the risk of cancer, although subsequent analyses, including one by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), found no link between normal aspartame consumption and cancer. Acesulfame potassium is also unpopular in the keto community, although more than 100 FDA-reviewed studies support its safety.

It tastes the same as the original

Mountain Dew Zero Sugar has been described as tasting "just like the original" Mountain Dew. One reviewer, who was initially sceptical, was shocked by how similar it tasted to the original, sugary version. Another reviewer noted that Mountain Dew Zero Sugar was a "very good substitute" for the full-calorie Original.

However, some reviewers did note differences in taste. One blind taste test found that all participants could identify the Original Mountain Dew, and all preferred its taste over the Zero Sugar version. The Zero Sugar version was said to have a "weird aftertaste", although it was still preferable to the taste of Diet Mountain Dew. Another reviewer noted that Mountain Dew Zero Sugar was "sickly sweet" and "cloudy", with a stronger caffeine taste.

Mountain Dew Zero Sugar uses a blend of three artificial sweeteners: sucralose, aspartame, and acesulfame potassium. These sweeteners may contribute to the subtle taste differences between Mountain Dew Zero Sugar and the original Mountain Dew.

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