In my opinion, it is not ideal to consume Mountain Dew Kickstart every day because of its high sugar content.
Mountain Dew Kickstart was introduced in the market in 2013. It was advertised as a beverage that contains caffeine and electrolytes, providing the drinker with energy, especially when consumed in the morning.
According to PepsiCo, its manufacturer, Mountain Dew Kickstart was created to provide a healthier alternative to its flavored soda brand, Mountain Dew.
Tasty and energizing, it’s not surprising that Kickstart has many patrons. However, just because something is tasty doesn’t mean it’s safe to consume in huge amounts and on a daily basis.
This leads us to the question: “can you drink Mountain Dew Kickstart every day?“
Is it really healthy enough to drink it every day? Are there any side effects when you consume this drink regularly?
If you want factual answers to these questions, you’ve come to the right place!
Read on to learn more about this popular, would-be energy drink. I will explain all of the reasons that make drinking Kickstart daily a bad idea.
Page Contents
Are Mountain Dew Kickstart Drinks Bad For You?
Mountain Dew Kickstart is not bad for your health because all of its nutrients are within the recommended levels as set by health experts.
However, it does have some ingredients that might become detrimental to your health if consumed regularly. For instance, sugar and caffeine can’t be taken in large quantities, otherwise, you might experience adverse effects.
To help you understand why Kickstart isn’t necessarily bad for you, I have compiled information from its Midnight Grape nutritional facts label.
Take a closer look at the nutritional values and remember these figures; later on, we will see how close or far they are from the healthy suggested daily range.
| Mountain Dew Kickstart – Grape | Amount per 16 fl. oz. |
| Energy | 80 calories |
| Total Fat | 0 grams |
| Sodium | 170 mg |
| Sugar | 20 grams |
| Protein | 0 grams |
| % Juice | 5 |
| Caffeine | 90 mg |
| Phosphorus | 130 mg |
Based on the data I have gathered, it’s apparent that Mountain Dew Kickstart Midnight Grape contains 90 mg of caffeine, 80 calories, and 20 grams of sugar for every 16 fl. oz.
Other flavors of Mountain Dew Kickstart such as Orange Citrus, Energizing Fruit Punch, Energizing Black Cherry, Energizing Limeade, and Strawberry Kiwi contains additional vitamins and ingredients that aren’t present in Midnight Grape.
For instance, the Mountain Dew Kickstart Orange Citrus flavor contains additional vitamins.
| Supplements | Amount |
| Vitamin C | 90 mg |
| Niacin | 16 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 1.53 mg |
| Pantothenic Acid | 4 mg |
The additional vitamins in the select flavors of Mountain Dew Kickstart are great for its consumers because they are privy to the other benefits from this drink, such as an improved immune system because of Vitamin C and healthy skin because of Vitamin B3 or Niacin.
The bottom line is, the many exciting flavors of Mountain Dew Kickstart have something in store for its consumers.
No, it is not bad for your health but instead works like a supplement, providing you with vitamins aside from the expected boost of energy.
For detailed explanation of how good or bad Kickstart is, this article I’ve written is worth reading!
And if you’re curious which flavor you should try, check out the video below!
Next, we’ll talk about the caffeine content in Mountain Dew Kickstart.
Caffeine
Caffeine is a common stimulant widely used as an ingredient in energy drinks.
Caffeine has natural properties that enhance mental focus and delay fatigue which is why it is the main ingredient in most energy drinks.
Based on my observation, the higher the caffeine the greater the energy boost and the longer the effects will last.
Mountain Dew Kickstart contains 90 to 92 mg of caffeine depending on the flavor.
According to health experts, there is nothing to be worried about when it comes to Kickstart’s caffeine content because you can consume up to 400 mg of caffeine per day, and it only contains less than a fourth of that.
Additionally, because Mountain Dew Kickstart contains low levels of caffeine, you can safely rule out the risk of caffeine overdose when you consume it minimally.
Make sure to check the nutritional information of other caffeinated beverages that you consume in a day to ensure that your caffeine intake remains within the recommended limit.
If we compare the caffeine content of Mountain Dew Kickstart we can see that it has a relatively lower caffeine content compared to other brands.
| Energy Drink | Caffeine Content |
| Spike Hardcore Energy Drink | 350 mg |
| Redline Xtreme Energy Drink | 316 mg |
| Bang Energy Drink | 300 mg |
| Celsius “Heat” Energy Drink | 300 mg |
| G Fuel Cans | 300 mg |
| Cocaine Energy Drink | 280 mg |
| NOS Energy Drink | 260 mg |
| C4 Energy Drink | 200 mg |
| Rockstar Energy Drink | 160 mg |
| Venom Energy Drink | 160 mg |
| G Fuel Powdered Energy Drink | 150 mg |
| Bing Energy Drink | 120 mg |
| Red Bull Energy Drink (16 fl. oz) | 160 mg |
| AMP Energy Drink (16 fl. oz) | 142 mg |
| Monster Energy Drink (16fl. oz) | 160 mg |
As you can see, 16 fl. oz. can of Mountain Dew Kickstart contains a lower caffeine level than its counterparts.
Calories
The calorie content of Mountain Dew Kickstart consumed minimally and sparingly won’t affect your overall diet.
The recommended daily calorie intake is 2,000 calories a day for women and 2, 500 calories a day for men according to health professionals. Based on these figures, we can conclude that while Mountain Dew Kickstart is not calorie-free it barely affects your daily calorie intake.
If you’re on a strict diet, make sure you consume this before doing your workout routine so the calories will not lead to unwanted weight gain. Plus, the caffeine boost from the drink will also help you perform better.
Sugars
The sugar content of Mountain Dew Kickstart is more worrisome than its calorie and caffeine content.
Mountain Dew Kickstart contains 20 grams of sugar per regular serving. While this is still within the recommended level, it is close to the limit, especially for women.
According to the American Heart Association, the daily sugar limit should be no more than 24 grams of sugar for most women and no more than 36 grams of sugar for most men.
Based on these numbers, we can see that after consuming Mountain Dew Kickstart, you’ll need to watch your sugar consumption for the rest of the day and make sure it doesn’t exceed the 4 grams of sugar left for women or the 16 grams of sugar for men.
You need to take caution as excess sugar can lead to many health complications, such as:
- weight gain
- gout
- fatty liver
- accumulation of belly fat
- increased risk of dementia
- may cause insulin resistance
- may cause Type 2 Diabetes
- may cause leptin resistance
- addiction
- increased risk of heart disease
- higher risk of cancer
- poor for dental health
To avoid developing complications like those listed above, limit your sugar intake and make sure your consumption remains within the suggested daily limit.
Is Mountain Dew Kickstart Considered an Energy Drink?
Mountain Dew Kickstart is not considered an energy drink but an enhanced soda.
The manufacturers of Mountain Dew Kickstart openly said this drink is made with three excellent ingredients, namely, “juice, dew, and caffeine.”
Additionally, Mountain Dew Kickstart isn’t labeled as an energy drink.
So basically, Mountain Dew Kickstart is a soda infused with 90 mg caffeine.
Is Kickstart a breakfast drink?
While Mountain Dew Kickstart is often marketed as a morning beverage, it is not specifically designed as a breakfast drink. Kickstart is positioned as an energy drink that provides a boost of energy and combines the flavor of Mountain Dew with added caffeine, taurine, and B-vitamins.
However, it’s important to note that relying on caffeinated beverages like Kickstart as a sole source of nutrition or energy for breakfast is not a recommended approach. A healthy breakfast should ideally consist of a balanced combination of protein, whole grains, fruits or vegetables.
Is Kickstart good for you?
The “goodness” of Mountain Dew Kickstart depends on various factors, including individual health, dietary needs, and moderation in consumption. Kickstart contains caffeine, added sugars, and artificial ingredients, which may not be considered optimal for everyone’s health.
While Kickstart can provide a temporary energy boost, it is advisable to prioritize a well-rounded, nutrient-dense diet and limit the intake of sugary beverages. For individuals looking for hydration or an occasional energy boost, other options like water, herbal tea, or natural fruit juices may be healthier alternatives.
How healthy is Mountain Dew Kickstart?
Mountain Dew Kickstart is not healthy. While it does contain vitamins B and C and electrolytes, it is also high in sugar and calories. Additionally, the caffeine content of Mountain Dew Kickstart can lead to negative health effects if consumed in excessive amounts.
Regular consumption of sugary drinks has been linked to an increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other health problems. Energy drinks like Mountain Dew Kickstart can also cause jitters, heart palpitations, and other negative effects if consumed in large amounts.
What happens if you drink 2 Mountain Dew Kickstarts in a day?
What happens if you drink 2 Mountain Dew Kickstarts in a day can cause several detrimental effects. Drinking 2 Mountain Dew Kickstarts in a day can lead to an excessive intake of caffeine and sugar, which can have negative effects on your health.
Caffeine can cause symptoms such as jitters, increased heart rate, anxiety, and trouble sleeping. Consuming high amounts of caffeine can also lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Excessive sugar consumption has been linked to an increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other health problems.
How Many Kickstarts Can You Drink in a Day?
You can only consume one can of Mountain Dew Kickstart in a day to remain healthy.
Mountain Dew Kickstart contains low levels of caffeine and that means overdosing is not the main thing you should worry about.
However, it does have 20 grams of sugar per regular 16 fl. oz. which is quite high. This number makes it clear that you can only safely consume one can of Kickstart per day.
Opening a second can will give you a total of 40 grams of sugar, which exceeds the 24 grams of sugar limit for women and the 36 grams limit for men.
Can a 12-Year-Old Drink Mountain Dew Kickstart?
Children or people ages 18 and below shouldn’t consume caffeinated beverages.
While Mountain Dew Kickstart contains relatively low amounts of caffeine, it’s still not advisable for children because children have lower caffeine tolerance.
The FDA does not have strict guidelines about caffeine consumption for children but many pediatric experts discourage energy drinks or caffeinated beverages. For instance, the American Academy of Pediatrics says energy drinks should be entirely off-limits for children because stimulants may have adverse effects on their development.
As a matter of fact, children in Canada ages 4 to 6 are not allowed to consume more than 45 mg of caffeine a day, children ages 7 to 9 should get no more than 62.5 mg, while children ages 10 to 12 should not consume more than 85 mg a day.
All of these restrictions are placed in Canada due to the high risk of children developing adverse health symptoms from caffeine consumption.
Studies show that children are more prone to experiencing palpitations, sleeping problems, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures due to energy drinks or caffeinated beverages.
Final Words
To sum it all up, you cannot consume Mountain Dew Kickstart every day because it is not ideal and you should take caution when consuming it.
Mountain Dew Kickstart only contains limited nutrients and high amounts of sugar that could be bad for your health.
Unlike other energy drinks which are infused with different kinds of vitamins and minerals, Mountain Dew Kickstart only contains a few kinds of vitamin B depending on the flavor.
Also, although Mountain Dew Kickstart is advertised as a healthier version of the popular soda Mountain Dew this does not mean it can be consumed by children.
Always remember that children have lower caffeine tolerance than adults so they should not be allowed to consume caffeinated beverages.
At the end of the day, Mountain Dew is not bad for your health as long as you stick to one can per day and consume it responsibly.
Now that you know all of this, go ahead and enjoy your can of Kickstart today!