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How Many Mountain Dew Kickstarts Can You Drink In a Day?

Quick Answer: Keeping the high sugar content in mind, it’s best to drink only one can of Mountain Dew Kickstart in a day.

Mountain Dew Kickstart was first launched by PepsiCo in 2014. It is sold as a caffeinated beverage that will give you an energy boost while retaining the traditional citrusy and tangy flavor of the Original Mountain Dew Soda.

Although Mountain Dew Kickstart is classified as an energy drink, it is marketed as a breakfast beverage that can replace coffee or juice in the morning.

Now, you might be wondering, what exactly Mountain Dew Kickstart is – a soft drink or an energy drink? And most importantly, how many of it can you drink in a day?

Don’t worry, you’ll find all your answers in this article. Continue reading to find out!

Let’s start with a brief look at Mountain Dew Kickstart’s nutritional value.

Is Mountain Dew Kickstart safe to drink?

Mountain Dew Kickstart is safe to drink. If in control of the quantity of caffeine and sugar consumed, drinking Mountain Dew Kickstart will not be harmful. Nevertheless, it is not recommended to make Mountain Dew Kickstart a go-to beverage.

Even though consuming more than one can of this beverage will not cause you to go over the recommended caffeine limit for the day, it will cause you to consume an excessive amount of sugar and calories over the course of the day.

Why is Kickstart good?

Why Kickstart is good depends on multiple reasons. The 90mg of caffeine in Mountain Dew Kickstart is a welcome energy boost, but the soda’s high sugar content could be problematic over time. Mountain Dew Kickstart’s caffeine and sugar levels deliver a lasting energy boost.

There is some truth to the claim that Mountain Dew Kickstart is an energy drink. You will feel an immediate rush in energy as a result of the moderate amount of caffeine that is contained in Kickstart. This will be the case because of product content.

Mountain Dew Kickstart’s Nutritional Facts

Nutritional Label of Mountain Dew Kickstart (16 fl. oz.)
Typical Value
(Standard Serving)
Mountain Dew Kickstart
(16 fl. oz.)
Energy80 calories
Protein0 g
Fat
(Of which Saturated)
0 g
(0 g)
Carbohydrate
(Of which Sugars)
21 g
(20 g)
Sodium170 mg
Caffeine90 mg
Nutrition facts of Mountain Dew Kickstart per 16 fl. oz. Can

Now that we have a clear idea about the nutritional label, let’s take a look at what’s exactly in a can of Mountain Dew Kickstart.

Mountain Dew Kickstart Ingredients

The main active ingredients include:

  • Carbonated Water
  • High Fructose Corn Syrup
  • White Grape Juice Concentrate
  • Citric Acid
  • Sodium Polyphosphates (To Protect Flavor)
  • Natural Flavor, Potassium Sorbate (Preserves Freshness)
  • Caffeine
  • Potassium Citrate
  • Potassium Chloride
  • Gum Arabic
  • Acesulfame Potassium
  • Sucralose
  • Red 40
  • Calcium Disodium EDTA (To Protect Flavor)
  • Salt
  • Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate
  • Blue 1

Is Mountain Dew Kickstart Considered an Energy Drink?

PepsiCo launched Mountain Dew Kickstart as an improved soft drink, not as an energy drink. According to them, Mountain Dew fans would prefer this drink to regular Mountain Dew as a healthier breakfast beverage choice.

In my opinion, Mountain Dew Kickstart qualifies as an energy drink because its ingredients and composition are the same as an energy drink.

Despite the fact that it is carbonated and has the same base formula as daily Mountain Dew, the makers contend that the 5% juice content is enough for the FDA to label it as a soft drink.

However, it’s totally up to you to decide what you’d like to call it. I personally think it is an energy drink as it has all the components you’d normally find in other energy drinks on the market.

Caffeine Content of Mountain Dew Kickstart

Caffeine Content of Mountain Dew Kickstart
How Much Caffeine Is In A Can Of Mountain Dew Kickstart?

Mountain Dew Kickstart has 90 mg caffeine of caffeine per 16 fl. oz. can, which is significantly less than most energy drinks of similar size.

For instance, A can of PepsiCo’s AMP Energy Drink contains 142 mg of caffeine, while a similar volume of daily Mountain Dew has 72 mg.

So, it’s clear that a can of Mountain Dew Kickstart contains just the right amount of caffeine to give you an energy boost for a short period of time without causing unwanted side effects.

However, I would still advise you to limit your daily intake to one can, as drinking several cans of this drink regularly can cause you physical discomfort and also lead to caffeine overdose.

For healthy adults, the FDA recommends 400 milligrams of caffeine a day. Going overboard can lead to the following side effects:

  • dizziness
  • diarrhea
  • insomnia
  • increased thirst
  • headache
  • chest pain
  • irregular heartbeat

Even though a total of four cans of Mountain Dew Kickstart won’t put you over the daily cap, it’s still a good idea to keep your caffeine consumption under check, particularly if you’re caffeine sensitive.

The ideal caffeine content for me is about 150 mg per serving and up to 300 mg throughout the day. This dose gives me just enough of a lift without making me feel jittery afterward.

And Mountain Dew Kickstart blends perfectly into this range, which is why I like it so well.

Calorie Content of Mountain Dew Kickstart

Calorie Content of Mountain Dew Kickstart
How Many Calories is in a Can Of Mountain Dew Kickstart?

A 16 fl. oz. can of Mountain Dew Kickstart contains just 80 calories, which is quite low for an energy drink of this size.

Mountain Dew Kickstart is a decent choice if you’re looking for a drink that won’t put a big dent in your daily caloric intake.

The recommended calories you should be consuming daily range from 2,000 to 2,500.

With just 80 calories in each can, I don’t think you need to be concerned about it raising a health risk, especially if you consume it moderately.

Although it has a low-calorie count, you should never consume Kickstart or any other energy drink as a meal substitute. Keep in mind that your body always needs nutrients from a balanced diet.

Sugar Content of Mountain Dew Kickstart

Sugar Content Of Mountain Dew Kickstart
How Much Sugar is in a Can Of Mountain Dew Kickstart?

Each 16 fl.oz can of Mountain Dew Kickstart contains 20 grams of sugar.

Although this sugar level falls within the AHA‘s recommended intake (25g for women and 36 g for men), I’d still prefer you to stick to only one can of Kickstart a day, considering that it’s not the only sugary stuff you’ll be consuming in a day.

Overconsumption of sugar may lead to a variety of health problems, including obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, and many more.

All the extra sugar will inevitably allow you to gain weight also increase the possibility of being diagnosed with diabetes.

For the sake of your health, stick to a single can of Mountain Dew Kickstart per day.

Artificial Sweeteners In Mountain Dew Kickstart

Artificial Sweeteners In Mountain Dew Kickstart
Are artificial sweeteners good for your health?

Mountain Dew’s Kickstart contains a number of controversial artificial sweeteners that are likely to lift a few eyebrows of those seeking to live a healthy lifestyle.

Here are the artificial sweeteners used in Kickstart:

When used in moderation, artificial sweeteners are often thought to be harmless. But long-term and extended use of these have been linked to severe health problems.

High fructose corn syrup is an inexpensive cane sugar substitute that is a common source of extra calories and can be detrimental to your health if consumed in excess.

On the other hand, sucralose and acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) are calorie-free sweeteners that are used in a lot of foods and beverages (mostly processed) and both of them are licensed by the FDA.

Sucralose is 600 times sweeter than normal sugar, whereas Ace-K is 200 times sweeter but has a distinctly sour aftertaste. This is one of the reasons why sweeteners are considered a better sugar alternative by manufacturers.

Even though they’re calorie-free, they still contribute to many health issues when consumed too heavily for a long time.

If you’re interested in learning more about artificial sweeteners and how they affect your health, you can watch the following video

How artificial sweeteners affect your brain?

How Many Mountain Dew Kickstarts Should You Drink in a Day?

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.

How Long Does the Effect of Mountain Dew Kickstart Last?

How Many Cans Of Mountain Dew Kickstart Should You Drink In A Day?

From my experience, the energy boost from a 16 fl. oz. can of Mountain Dew Kickstart lasts for about 40 – 45 minutes.

Generally, caffeine has a half-life of around 5 hours in healthy people’s plasma, according to this report.

Besides, the added sugars also have an impact on the overall energy boost. As the blood glucose level surges after consumption and then eventually drops, it impairs your cognition and makes it difficult for you to remain focused.

However, Mountain Dew Kickstart’s efficiency is mostly determined by an individual’s caffeine tolerance.

Is it OK to drink 2 Mountain Dews a day?

Regularly drinking two Mountain Dews a day is not the healthiest choice due to high sugar and caffeine content, which can lead to weight gain, tooth decay, and health risks like diabetes and heart disease.

It’s best to opt for healthier beverage options and consult a healthcare professional if you have specific concerns.

Which Mountain Dew has the most caffeine?

Mountain Dew Kickstart stands out as another soda drink from Mountain Dew that boasts the highest caffeine content per bottle. It contains 90 mg of caffeine and 80 calories in a 16 fl oz can.


The drink promotes Kickstart as a healthier substitute for conventional energy drinks.

Is Mountain Dew Kickstart Bad For You?

Kickstart is not necessarily bad for you if you drink it in moderation. However, consuming it in large doses can be dangerous.

Energy drinks are inherently addictive. It is quite difficult to refrain from grabbing a second can especially when the drink is as tasty as Mountain Dew Kickstart.

But, surely, no flavor should come at the expense of your health.

Health-wise, limiting yourself to one can of Mountain Dew Kickstart a day is always the smarter choice.

Energy Drinks Similar to Mountain Dew Kickstart

Alternative Choices For Mountain Dew Kickstart
Alternative Choices For Mountain Dew Kickstart

If you’re interested in trying some other fantastic energy drinks besides Mountain Dew Kickstart, here are a couple to consider:

Powdered energy drinks, on the other hand, are a better alternative to ready-to-drink energy drinks because they’re typically more inexpensive and convenient. Here are a few well-known brands:

  • Zipfizz
  • Advocare Spark
  • Gfuel

Final Thoughts

Mountain Dew Kickstart does a pretty nice job by providing a quick boost of energy for a short amount of time.

This drink will make you feel energized without having to give you a lot of caffeine or calories.

As long as you don’t binge drink it and consume it moderately, there’s hardly any chance of developing any health risk.

Overall, the safest option is to consume just one can of Mountain Dew Kickstart every day.

Enjoy your Mountain Dew kickstart and make sure to drink it responsibly!

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