Have you ever tried a drink that made you want to know more about its ingredients?
That’s what Mountain Dew Kickstart did to me. I’ll be sharing with you everything I’ve learned about one of my favorite beverages.
In this article, we’ll have a thorough review of Mountain Dew Kickstart, its ingredients, nutrition facts, and answer some of the most common questions about this drink.
Keep in mind that Mountain Dew Kickstart is not an energy drink but a unique combination of juice, dew, and caffeine.
I give this caffeinated beverage an 8/10 simply because I prefer actual energy drinks. However, that doesn’t mean that this drink isn’t any good.
In fact, as you go along with this article, you’ll find out just how good this drink actually is—minus the fact that it isn’t an energy drink. It’s a perfectly tasty drink that gives you a “kick” to start your day.
To learn all about what gives this drink a kick, let’s take a look at its ingredients list.
Page Contents
Mountain Dew Kickstart Ingredients
Mountain Dew contains artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and food colorings that are commonly used in beverages.
To enumerate, here is a complete list of Mountain Dew Kickstart’s usual ingredients:
- Carbonated Water
- High Fructose Corn Syrup- a type of sugar derived from corn
- White Grape Juice Concentrate- flavoring
- Citric Acid- flavoring and preservative
- Caramel Color- food coloring
- Natural Flavor
- Sodium Hexametaphosphate – added to protect flavor
- Potassium Sorbate- added to preserve freshness
- Gum Arabic- stabilizer, emulsifier
- Caffeine- stimulant
- Potassium Citrate- food preservative
- Potassium Chloride- naturally occurring salt
- Acesulfame Potassium- a calorie-free artificial sweetener
- Sucralose- a calorie-free artificial sweetener
- Red 40- synthetic color additive
- Glycerol Ester of Rosin- stabilizer or thickening agent in food
- Calcium Disodium EDTA (to Protect Flavor)- popular additive, flavoring agent
- Salt
- Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate- emulsifier
I found out that all of these ingredients are certified safe for consumption after cross-checking with the Food and Drug Administration guidance for the beverage industry.
I also put some working definitions of each ingredient to give you an idea of their contribution to the final product.
Now that we know Mountain Dew Kickstart’s ingredients, it’s time to make sense of what they mean for your body by looking at its nutrition facts.
Mountain Dew Kickstart Nutrition Facts
The nutrition facts of Mountain Dew Kickstart matters in this review because it’s the tangible result of its ingredients. This is what our body absorbs and transforms into energy.
Mountain Dew Kickstart contains 80 calories, 90 mg of caffeine, 0 grams of fat, and 20 grams of sugar.
You can check out the rest of its nutrition facts in the table below.
| Mountain Dew Kickstart | 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 |
You may notice some articles mention that Mountain Dew Kickstart contains 92 mg of caffeine, however that’s true only for some of its flavors like Orange Citrus.
Some of the amounts in the nutrition facts vary depending on the flavor.
There are also added vitamins and minerals in other flavors of Kickstart.
For instance, the Orange Citrus flavor contains:
| Vitamin C | 90 mg |
| Niacin | 16 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 1.53 mg |
| Pantothenic Acid | 4 mg |
These extra vitamins and nutrients give your body the boost it needs to get through the day. Although it is not an energy drink and its caffeine content is minimal, it has a lot of nutrients and vitamins to make up for it.
Let’s take a closer look at the caffeine content of this flavored beverage.
Caffeine
In terms of caffeine content, this beverage poses little risk of caffeine overdose because it only contains 90 mg, barely the equivalent of one cup of coffee.
Additionally, having low caffeine makes it more suitable for people who get jitters and panicky after consuming too much caffeine.
The recommended caffeine intake per day is 400 mg, a far cry from this drink’s 90 mg, so you can drink it without worrying about overdosing on the stimulant.
Now, let’s talk about caloric content.
Calories
Mountain Dew Kickstart contains a modest 80 calories in a single serving.
Calories are the amount of energy derived from the solid foods and beverages that you consume. According to health experts, women need 2,000 calories a day and men need 2,500 calories a day to function at their best every day.
At this point, it is safe to say that the 80 calories in Mountain Dew Kickstart will unlikely affect your diet.
But if you’re keen on minimizing your calorie intake, I suggest you look for calorie-free beverages like Monster Absolutely Zero, Red Bull Sugar-Free, or Bang Energy Drink.
Sugar
Unlike the caffeine and calorie level, I am slightly worried about the sugar content of Mountain Dew Kickstart.
According to American Heart Association, the recommended daily sugar intake is 24 grams for females and 36 grams for males.
Mountain Dew Kickstart contains 20 grams of sugar which borders on the safe limit, especially for women.
While the sugar value is within the safe level, it heavily restricts the amount of sugar we can consume for the rest of the day.
So, if you drink a can of Mountain Dew Kickstart, you need to be extra mindful of the sugar content of the other food and beverages that you will be consuming on the same day.
This is so you can prevent the health conditions associated with excess sugar consumption.
How Bad is Mountain Dew Kickstart?
Mountain Dew Kickstart is not bad for your health. Although its ingredients are mainly within the recommended daily intake, you should not consume more than one can a day because it contains significant amounts of sugar.
As I always say, most energy drinks are not bad for your health if you consume them in moderation. The same is true for Mountain Dew Kickstart. This drink has 80 calories, 90 mg of caffeine, and 20 grams of sugar. All of these are within the daily recommended levels of consumption.
Another point to consider is your own health. If you know you’re prone to certain diseases, you should stay away from anything that might trigger your condition.
On its own, Mountain Dew Kickstart isn’t bad for you. But remember to always consume it in moderation.
Is Mountain Dew Kickstart good for you?
The nutritional value and overall health impact of Mountain Dew Kickstart can vary depending on individual factors and dietary preferences. Mountain Dew Kickstart contains ingredients such as caffeine, vitamins, and fruit juice, which can provide a temporary energy boost and contribute to hydration.
While Mountain Dew Kickstart may be enjoyed in moderation as a refreshing beverage, excessive consumption or reliance on it as a primary source of hydration or energy is not advisable. A well-balanced diet that includes whole foods, water, and natural sources of energy is generally recommended for overall health.
What does Mountain Dew Kickstart do?
Mountain Dew Kickstart is marketed as an “energizing soda” or “sparkling juice beverage” that aims to provide a combination of energy and hydration. It contains caffeine, B-vitamins, and fruit juice, which are intended to provide a temporary boost of energy and mental focus.
The caffeine content in Kickstart can help increase alertness and combat fatigue, while the added vitamins and fruit juice contribute to the overall taste and hydration. However, it’s important to note that the effects and benefits of Kickstart can vary among individuals.
How Long Does it Take for Mountain Dew Kickstart to Kick In?
According to extensive studies, caffeine has a half-life of about 5 hours which means half of the caffeine amount in Kickstart (90 mg to be exact) will stay in the body.
Then, the other half will remain for another 5 hours and so on until the caffeine is fully expulsed from the body.
Here are the caffeine levels of some of the energy drink brands in the market. Compare the caffeine levels of each energy drink so you’ll get an idea of how long each of these will last.
| 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 |
| Reign Energy | 300 mg |
| Adrenaline Shoc Energy Drink | 300 mg |
| Raze Energy Drink | 300 mg |
| G Fuel Cans | 300 mg |
| Cocaine Energy Drink | 280 mg |
| NOS Energy Drink | 260 mg |
| 5-hour Energy Drink | 200 mg |
| 3D Energy Drink | 200 mg |
| C4 Energy Drink | 200 mg |
| Rockstar Energy Drink | 160 mg |
| Monster Energy Drink | 160 mg |
| Venom Energy Drink | 160 mg |
| G Fuel Powdered Energy Drink | 150 mg |
| Bing Energy Drink | 120 mg |
| Mountain Dew Kickstart | 90 mg |
| Red Bull Energy Drink | 80 mg |
| AMP Energy Drink | 75 mg |
Where to Buy Mountain Dew Kickstart
Mountain Dew Kickstart can be found in most physical and online shops, although the best deals and prices can be found on Amazon or eBay.
While it is entirely up to you, I believe it is preferable to purchase Mountain Dew Kickstart online rather than searching for it in physical stores.
Shopping online saves time and requires less effort. You’ll just have to go to a website, make your order, and wait for it to be delivered to you. Some stores you can check out are:
If you want to get your hands on Mountain Dew Kickstart right away, here’s a list of physical stores that sell it:
Is Mountain Dew Kickstart Considered an Energy Drink?
Mountain Dew Kickstart is not an energy drink but a caffeinated soda.
As you can see from the nutritional information, Kickstart contains 5% of juice and its ingredients are slightly similar to the popular soda brand Mountain Dew.
Pepsi. co also openly said Mountain Dew Kickstart is not an energy drink but a special combination of juice, dew, and caffeine.
The inspiration behind this drink is customer demand for a healthier alternative to the hit soda Mountain Dew.
Kickstart is not the same as your usual energy drinks, Red Bull, Monster, and NOS. Compared to these drinks, Kickstart has a very low caffeine count.
To learn more about Kickstart, watch the video below.
What Does Mtn Dew Kickstart Taste Like?
Mountain Dew Kickstart tastes like a toned-down Mountain Dew soda infused with sting and fizz.
To me, it also taste like Mountain Dew mixed with a bit of fruit juice which is still very delicious.
But the specific taste really depends on the flavor but you can expect a trace of lemon.
To get you started, here are the many different flavors of Mountain Dew Kickstart:
- Energizing Orange Citrus
- Energizing Fruit Punch
- Energizing Black Cherry
- Energizing Limeade
- Energizing Strawberry Kiwi
- Energizing Pineapple Orange Mango
- Energizing Blood Orange
- Energizing Midnight Grape
- Energizing Blueberry Pomegranate
- Energizing Watermelon
- Energizing Orange Cranberry
- Energizing Mango Lime
- Energizing Raspberry Citrus
- Energizing Original Dew
- Energizing Grape
As I have said a while ago, the nutrition facts of Mountain Dew Kickstarts varies minimally per flavor.
For instance, the caffeine may be higher or lower than 2 mg depending on the flavor you’re consuming.
Is Mountain Dew Kickstart Being Discontinued?
Mountain Dew Kickstart is NOT being discontinued and has never been discontinued since it opened commercially in 2013.
The rumor about Mountain Dew Kickstart being discontinued is false. It all started from a piece of fake news that circulated online around June in 2020.
This is all just a ruse.
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. Just be wary of these news before believing it.
I advise you read the statements in full and promptly check the official websites of the beverage manufacturers concerned.
What does Mountain Dew Kickstart do to you?
Mountain Dew Kickstart does a lot of good things to you. Mountain Dew Kickstart contains caffeine, vitamins, and electrolytes to help boost energy levels and improve hydration. Consuming Mountain Dew Kickstart can increase energy levels due to the caffeine content, which is a stimulant that affects the central nervous system.
The caffeine in Mountain Dew Kickstart can improve mental alertness, cognitive performance, and reaction time, allowing you to feel more awake and focused.
In addition, the added vitamins and electrolytes in Mountain Dew Kickstart can help improve hydration and support overall health and wellness.
Does Mountain Dew Kickstart give you energy?
Mountain Dew Kickstart does give you energy. Mountain Dew Kickstart is marketed as an energy drink that provides a combination of caffeine, vitamins, and electrolytes to help boost energy levels and improve hydration. The caffeine content in Mountain Dew Kickstart can increase energy levels and improve mental alertness.
It is important to note that everyone’s response to caffeine can vary and excessive consumption of caffeine can lead to negative side effects such as jitteriness, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping. Additionally, consuming energy drinks with high amounts of sugar can contribute to weight gain and other health problems.
Mountain Dew Kickstart Alternatives
If you find yourself wanting energy drinks instead, here are my top recommendations for you:
The Verdict
Overall, Mountain Dew Kickstart is a decent beverage choice. It’s definitely a unique beverage that’s a combination of juice and caffeine.
I love the taste and boost of this drink. Although, I thought it would’ve been nice if all flavors are enriched with vitamins and minerals.
Nonetheless, Mountain Dew Kickstart is definitely a good choice and I recommend it to people with low caffeine tolerance.
Honestly, I didn’t really feel a really strong boost but still, I will choose Mountain Kickstart because of the taste. Plus, the amount of caffeine on this drink is fairly safe for those with low tolerance.
Aside from that, I find this beverage very exciting to try knowing that it sits somewhere between a juice and an energy drink. I liked this caffeinated beverage and would recommend it to anyone who isn’t ready for an energy drink but wants to get their caffeine tolerance up!
So, go ahead try one now!