Diet Mountain Dew, a popular low-sugar alternative to the original Mountain Dew, utilizes a blend of artificial sweeteners to achieve its signature citrus flavor without the calories. This article delves into the types of artificial sweeteners found in Diet Mountain Dew, their potential effects on the body, and how Diet Mountain Dew compares to similar beverages like Mountain Dew Zero Sugar.
The Sweetener Blend in Diet Mountain Dew
Diet Mountain Dew's "Tuned Up Taste," introduced in 2006, relies on a combination of three artificial sweeteners: sucralose, aspartame, and acesulfame potassium. These sweeteners are used in specific concentrations to mimic the taste and mouthfeel of sugar while minimizing caloric content.
Aspartame
Aspartame, a dipeptide methyl ester composed of aspartic acid and phenylalanine, is approximately 200 times sweeter than sucrose. In the gut, aspartame is hydrolyzed into its constituent amino acids, aspartate, phenylalanine, and methanol, all of which are absorbed into the portal circulation. The methanol is subsequently converted to formaldehyde and then oxidized into formic acid. However, the amount of methanol derived from aspartame in a soft drink is less than that found naturally in many other foods and beverages.
Sucralose
Sucralose (C12H19Cl3O8) is a synthesized disaccharide created by replacing three hydroxyl groups in sucrose with chlorine atoms. This modification results in a compound approximately 600 times sweeter than sucrose. Splenda, a common product containing sucralose, combines sucralose with maltodextrin (1% and 99% by dry weight, respectively) to add volume due to sucralose's potency. Radiolabeled sucralose studies indicate that about 85% of sucralose is eliminated unchanged in the feces, while the remaining 15% is absorbed and primarily excreted unchanged in the urine, with minor metabolites (likely glucuronidation products) accounting for only 2-3% of the total oral intake.
Acesulfame Potassium
Acesulfame potassium is another artificial sweetener used in Diet Mountain Dew. While the provided text offers less specific detail on its individual properties compared to aspartame and sucralose, its inclusion in the sweetener blend contributes to the overall taste profile.
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Ingredient List Analysis
Analyzing the ingredient lists of Diet Mountain Dew and Mountain Dew Zero Sugar reveals that both beverages list the same three artificial sweeteners (aspartame, acesulfame potassium, and sucralose) in the same order. This indicates that the percentage of sucralose is less than the percentage of acesulfame potassium, which is less than the percentage of aspartame in both drinks.
Other Ingredients
Beyond the artificial sweeteners, Diet Mountain Dew contains other ingredients that contribute to its flavor and texture:
- Thickening Agents: Gum arabic is used to replicate the mouthfeel that sugar would provide in a non-diet beverage. Citrus pectin might also be considered as a natural thickening agent given that Mountain Dew is a citrus beverage.
- Tartness: Citric acid is added to create the desired tartness characteristic of citrus beverages.
- pH Buffers: A citrate buffer is used to maintain the stability of the beverage's pH, which is a natural choice for a citrus drink.
- Natural Flavors: The "natural flavor" component can be a complex mixture of ingredients, potentially including synthetic chemicals.
Diet Mountain Dew vs. Mountain Dew Zero Sugar
Mountain Dew Zero Sugar was released in the United States in January 2020. While some speculated it would replace Diet Mountain Dew, PepsiCo confirmed that both would coexist. However, in some markets, such as Canada, Mountain Dew Zero Sugar replaced Diet Mountain Dew.
One notable difference between the two beverages is the calorie count. Diet Mountain Dew contains five calories per half-liter bottle, likely from the concentrated orange juice. Mountain Dew Zero Sugar, on the other hand, has zero calories. Additionally, Mountain Dew Zero Sugar has around 20% more caffeine than Diet Mountain Dew. The flavor differences between the two beverages may be attributed to the specific blend of "natural flavors" used in each.
Potential Health Concerns
Artificial Sweeteners and Gastrointestinal Issues
Research on the effects of artificial sweeteners on the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is limited. Some studies suggest that artificial sweeteners may affect GI motility indirectly by increasing incretin secretion. However, the clinical relevance of this finding is unknown. The effects of artificial sweeteners on the gut microbiome have been conflicting, with studies varying in population, artificial sweeteners, and doses evaluated.
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A study by Abou-Donia et al. (2008) found that sucralose plus maltodextrin significantly decreased beneficial intestinal bacteria (Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Bacteroides) in rats, elevated fecal pH, and enhanced intestinal expression of P-gp and CYP450 enzymes.
Aspartame and Cancer Risk
The World Health Organization (WHO) reclassified aspartame as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" in July 2023 based on limited evidence. However, the WHO still advises that 40 mg/kg of body weight is a safe amount of aspartame to consume per day. The FDA disagrees with the WHO's classification, citing research that found no link between low- and no-calorie sweeteners and increased cancer risk in humans. Some studies have suggested a potential link between artificial sweeteners and kidney cancer, low-grade glioma, breast cancer, and prostate cancer, while others have found no association between aspartame consumption and invasive breast cancer risk.
Other Potential Health Concerns
Some research has linked aspartame with neurotoxic effects, such as behavioral concerns, mood disorders, and memory and learning impairments. Older research also associated aspartame with behavioral and cognitive problems, including headaches, irritable mood, depression, and insomnia.
Other Controversial Ingredients
Other controversial ingredients found in Diet Mountain Dew include:
- Artificial Color (Yellow 5/Tartrazine): Linked to behavioral changes in children, including irritability, restlessness, depression, and difficulty sleeping.
- Calcium Disodium EDTA: A preservative that may cause digestive issues if consumed in very high amounts.
- Sodium Benzoate: Associated with children's hyperactivity, increased anxiety, hormone level disruption, and disrupted liver and kidney function in some studies.
Regulatory Status and Safety
The FDA considers aspartame, sucralose, and acesulfame potassium to be "generally recognized as safe." The acceptable daily intake for aspartame established by the FDA is 50 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day. However, manufacturers do not need to present significant, peer-reviewed research to get a food additive into this category. The WHO's director of the Department of Nutrition of Food Safety noted that assessments of aspartame have indicated potential effects that need to be investigated by more and better studies.
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