In Brief: Mountain Dew Kickstart definitely works as a starter drink but it’s not ideal for high-performance tasks due to its low caffeine count.
PepsiCo, the manufacturer of the drink describes Kickstart as a combination of three different things – juice, dew, and caffeine.
Manufacturers are always coming up with something new in the beverage industry and PepsiCo’s Mountain Kickstart is a perfect example.
I believe Mountain Dew Kickstart was created to differentiate the brand from its competitors and make its mark on the consumers.
Apart from this, juice, dew, and caffeine sounds like a combination!
But we don’t really know how effective it is in terms of boosting your energy.
So, I suggest you keep reading to know more!
Page Contents
Mountain Dew Kickstart Nutrition Facts
Let’s take a quick look at the nutrition facts of Mountain Dew Kickstart to open our discussion.
The nutrition facts are an important label in the packaging of any food or beverage because it tells exactly what kinds of nutrients you get from the drink or food that you consume. Plus, it is a good habit to always check the nutritional info of the food and beverages that you’re buying.
The following is the nutritional information of Mountain Dew Kickstart Orange Citrus flavor.
| Mountain Dew Kickstart- Orange Citrus | Amount per 16 fl. oz. |
| Energy | 80 calories |
| Total Fat | 0 grams |
| Sodium | 180 mg |
| Sugar | 20 grams |
| Protein | 0 grams |
| Vitamin C | 90 mg |
| Niacin | 16 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 1.53 mg |
| Pantothenic Acid | 4 mg |
| % Juice | 5 |
| Caffeine | 92 mg |
For better comprehension about Mountain Dew Kickstart’s ingredients, read through this article.
At a glance, you can see that Mountain Dew Kickstart is enriched with different vitamins and supplements. However, I would like you to take note that some flavors like Mountain Dew Kickstart Midnight Grape flavor do not have these vitamins.
Mountain Dew Kickstart contains 80 calories, 92 mg of caffeine, and 20 grams of sugar. All of its nutritional value is within the recommended safe level of consumption.
But I think the main concern in Mountain Dew Kickstart is the significant amount of sugar, especially for female consumers.
According to the American Heart Association, the 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.
Mountain Dew Kickstart contains 20 grams of sugar; and while this is still permissible it’s very close to the limit.
After finishing a can of Mountain Dew Kickstart, you need to be careful of what you eat and make sure you don’t exceed the suggested amount of daily sugar consumption.
Let’s go to the next question, does Mountain Dew Kickstart keep you awake?
Does Mountain Dew Kickstart Keep You Awake?
Mountain Dew Kickstart may help keep you awake but only for a limited time. This is because it contains just about 90 to 92 mg of caffeine.
This is a fairly small level of caffeine almost equivalent to one cup of brewed coffee.
So people who are sensitive to caffeine can feel improved levels of energy, although it may wear off easily.
Caffeine has a half-life of five hours so this means half the amount of caffeine in Mountain Dew Kickstart (45 to 46 mg) will still remain in your body after five hours of consumption.
Half the amount of 45 mg will remain in your body for another five hours or so until you’ve flushed all of the caffeine out.
In my experience, 45 mg of caffeine does not have any noticeable effect. So, it is highly likely that Mountain Dew Kickstart will only be effective for five hours or less.
It can certainly help you feel awake but don’t expect it to enhance your focus and mental performance for an extended amount of time.
How long does it take for a kickstart to kick in?
Generally, it takes about 15 to 30 minutes for caffeine to start exerting its stimulating effects, although this can vary among individuals. The onset of effects from Mountain Dew Kickstart can vary based on individual factors such as metabolism, tolerance, and sensitivity to caffeine.
It’s important to note that the peak effects of caffeine in Kickstart typically occur within 30 to 60 minutes after consumption. The duration of the effects can last for several hours, depending on someone’s individual characteristics such as metabolism and caffeine tolerance.
What age can you drink Kickstart?
You can drink Mountain Dew Kickstart at any age, but it is generally recommended to stay away from caffeinated beverages until you’re 18. Mountain Dew Kickstart, like other energy drinks, contains caffeine and other ingredients that may not be suitable for children or adolescents.
It’s important to adhere to the age restrictions provided on the product label or follow the guidelines set by local authorities. Children and teenagers may be more susceptible to the effects of caffeine and may have different tolerance levels compared to adults.
Is Mountain Dew Kickstart Discontinued?
Mountain Dew Kickstart is NOT being discontinued and has never been discontinued.
The rumor about Mountain Dew Kickstart being discontinued is false. It all started from a piece of fake news that circulated online around June 2020.
This is misinformation.
The news agency Reuters confirmed the circulating post is a lie after talking to the manufacturers of Mountain Dew Kickstart.
False claims happen when there’s a tight competition in the market.
Read the statements in full and promptly check the official websites of the beverage manufacturers concerned.
If you see these kinds of statements, exercise caution. Verify that it comes directly from official sources before taking their word or sharing it with others.
Now, let’s get into the meat of this article: does Mountain Dew Kickstart actually work?
Does Mountain Dew Kickstart Actually Work?
Mountain Dew Kickstart works but at a limited level or capacity because of its low caffeine content.
It contains 90 to 92 mg of caffeine depending on the flavor.
As this drink is not marketed and formulated as an energy drink, it has relatively lower levels of caffeine than other energy drink brands.
Here is a list of both entry-level and hardcore energy drink brands available in the market to give you a relative idea of the caffeine content in Mountain Dew Kickstart.
| 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 (16fl. oz) | 160 mg |
| AMP Energy Drink (16fl. oz) | 142 mg |
| Monster Energy Drink (16fl. oz) | 160 mg |
Based on these figures, you can see that the amount of caffeine is really important when it comes to energy drinks and their effectiveness.
Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant that is widely used in energy drinks because of its natural tendency to reduce fatigue and enhance alertness and focus.
This explains why the amount of caffeine largely dictates how effective an energy drink would be.
But this doesn’t mean that the energy drink with the highest caffeine is the best for you. There is such a thing as caffeine overdose. The higher your intake, the higher your risk of developing it.
Caffeine overdose happens when there’s too much caffeine in the body that it reaches a toxic level.
The symptoms of caffeine overdose are:
- dizziness
- diarrhea
- increased thirst
- insomnia
- headache
- fever
- Irritability
In my opinion, Mountain Dew Kickstart can provide an energy boost but may not able to sustain your performance for several hours.
What does Mountain Dew Kickstart do to you?
Mountain Dew Kickstart gives you energy. Mountain Dew Kickstart is marketed as an energy drink that provides both caffeine and hydration. Caffeine is a stimulant that can increase alertness and wakefulness. The drink contains 90-100 mg of caffeine per 16 fl oz can, which is comparable to a cup of coffee.
The electrolytes in the drink can help replenish fluids lost through sweating, making it a good option for hydration after physical activity. However, it is important to note that excessive caffeine intake can lead to side effects such as anxiety, jitters, and insomnia.
How long does Mountain Dew Kickstart last?
The effects of Mountain Dew Kickstart can last for several hours. This typically is 2-5 hours, depending on individual factors such as tolerance to caffeine and hydration needs. The caffeine content of the drink can cause an increase in alertness and concentration, after which the effects will gradually wear off.
The hydration benefits of the drink will also last for a few hours, after which you may need to drink more fluids to maintain adequate hydration levels. It is important to drink Mountain Dew Kickstart in moderation to monitor your individual response to the drink to avoid any negative effects.
Is Mountain Dew Kickstart Considered an Energy Drink?
Mountain Dew Kickstart is not an energy drink but a soda infused with caffeine.
The manufacturers of this drink say Mountain Dew Kickstart is a combination of “juice, dew, and caffeine”.
The caffeine is added as an attempt to make Mountain Dew Kickstart a viable substitute to common morning drinks like coffee and tea.
Despite the 90 to 92 mg of caffeine, I also don’t think Mountain Dew Kickstart qualifies as an energy drink because aside from low caffeine content, it does not contain supplements or stimulants that are common in most energy drink brands.
Is Mountain Dew Kickstart a Soda?
The answer is both yes and no.
Mountain Dew Kickstart is a special beverage with both properties of soda and energy drink.
So yes, Mountain Dew Kickstart is a soda but at the same time it’s more than your typical carbonated beverage because of its additional caffeine content.
Usually, sodas just contain a lot of sugar but energy drinks are infused with caffeine to boost energy levels and other supplements that are good for overall health.
For instance, some energy drinks also contain vitamin B complex, ginseng root extract, or yerba mate extract which is known to enhance mental performance.
In short, Kickstart may be considered to have a soda base inspired by the popular brand Mountain Dew, but it’s much more potent with its extra caffeine content.
Mountain Dew Kickstart Flavors
Mountain Dew Kickstart comes in several different flavors. Here are some of its best flavors that I think are a must-try:
- Energizing Orange Citrus
- Energizing Fruit Punch
- Energizing Black Cherry
- Energizing Limeade
- Hydrating Boost (Energizing Strawberry Kiwi)
- Hydrating Boost (Energizing Pineapple Orange Mango)
- Kickstart Recharge (Energizing Blood Orange)
- Kickstart Energizing Midnight Grape)
- Kickstart Recharge (Energizing Blueberry Pomegranate)
- Hydrating Boost (Energizing Watermelon)
- Energizing Orange Cranberry
- Energizing Mango Lime
- Kickstart Hydrating Boost (Energizing Raspberry Citrus)
- Kickstart (Energizing Original Dew)
- Energizing Original Dew)
- Energizing Grape
My only advice here is to choose flavors with additional vitamins, like the Orange Citrus flavor, so you’ll reap the benefits from a can of Mountain Dew Kickstart.
Some of these flavors, like Energizing Grape, only contain the bare minimum of nutrients common in beverages.
Read the labels carefully so you know what nutrients you’re feeding your body with every can.
Check out this video to know what other people think about Mountain Dew Kickstart.
How Many Kickstarts Can You Drink Daily?
I recommend drinking only one can of Mountain Dew Kickstart per day.
While the caffeine and total calorie content of Mountain Dew Kickstart are at a safe level, you should be mindful that 20 grams of sugar come in only a single serving. Any more than that could be harmful to your wellbeing.
Having several cans of Mountain Dew Kickstart in one day can result in sugar overdosing, which may contribute to hypoglycemia, also known as a sugar crash.
Therefore to stay healthy, you should restrict yourself to drinking just one can at a time.
In Conclusion
Mountain Dew Kickstart works as a morning drink but not as a high-performance energy drink that could elevate your energy levels for long periods.
I recommend Mountain Dew Kickstart to people who are just starting to explore caffeinated beverages. The amount of caffeine in Kickstart is just enough to nudge your energy without the risk of experiencing symptoms of caffeine overdose.
However, unlike other energy drinks, Mountain Dew Kickstart does not have other supplements or additional stimulants to enhance mental performance.
Just be realistic on what to expect when you consume this drink because as its manufacturers say this is an enhanced soda and not an energy drink.
Manage your expectations as Kickstart isn’t an energy drink, but more of a caffeinated beverage. It does work, but only minimally.
Why don’t you try it today to see for yourself?