Nutrition Diet Fact or Fiction: What soda can dissolve a mouse?

November 4, 2025 •

5 min read

In 2009, a lawsuit against PepsiCo over an alleged mouse in a can of Mountain Dew sparked a now-infamous legal defense: that the soda's acidity would have dissolved the rodent into a jelly-like substance. This stomach-churning legal claim brought to light a fascinating and somewhat horrifying question for many consumers: What soda can dissolve a mouse? The answer holds a key lesson about the true nutritional dangers lurking inside fizzy drinks.

Quick Summary

The myth surrounding soda dissolving a mouse is explored, stemming from a 2009 lawsuit involving Mountain Dew. While high acidity does affect organic matter over time, experts explain the dissolution is exaggerated and does not make a carcass disappear. The incident serves as a powerful reminder of soda's corrosive properties and its broader negative impact on a healthy diet.

Key Points

The Mouse in Soda Myth is Exaggerated: While soda is acidic and can degrade bones over time, it cannot completely dissolve a mouse into nothingness within a can, and soft tissues would remain.
Soda Contains Corrosive Acids: Soft drinks are highly acidic due to ingredients like phosphoric and citric acid, which is why PepsiCo's legal defense mentioned a mouse would turn to a 'jelly-like substance'.
Acidity Harms Dental and Gastric Health: The low pH of soda contributes to tooth enamel erosion and can irritate the stomachs of people with pre-existing digestive issues.
Regular Soda Offers Empty Calories: Packed with high amounts of added sugar, regular soda is a major contributor to weight gain, obesity, and an increased risk of chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Diet Soda Isn't a Perfect Alternative: While low in sugar and calories, diet soda and its artificial sweeteners may still negatively impact gut health and overall metabolic function.
Healthy Alternatives Exist: For a better diet, consider swapping soda for options like infused water, sparkling water, or unsweetened teas to cut down on sugar and acid intake.

Unpacking the Infamous Mouse in a Soda Can Lawsuit

The urban legend that soda is so corrosive it can completely dissolve a mouse gained traction following a 2009 lawsuit against PepsiCo. An Illinois man claimed to have found a dead mouse in a can of Mountain Dew he bought from a vending machine. In a widely reported court filing, PepsiCo’s defense was that if a mouse had indeed been in the can for the alleged time, it would have been rendered into a “jelly-like substance” by the soda's acidic content. The case was ultimately settled out of court, but not before the public became fascinated and disturbed by the thought of what happens to organic matter when submerged in a soft drink.

While the idea of a fully dissolved mouse is a myth, the science behind the defense is rooted in truth. Sodas, particularly those with citrus flavors like Mountain Dew, contain high concentrations of acids that are highly effective at breaking down certain types of organic matter over time. This incident is a vivid illustration of the corrosive power of these beverages and provides a stark entry point into understanding their effects on a person's diet and health.

The Corrosive Chemistry of Soft Drinks

Soft drinks derive their tangy flavor and long shelf life from added acids, primarily phosphoric acid in colas and citric acid in citrus-flavored sodas. These acids give soda a low pH level, making it highly acidic. For perspective, battery acid has a pH of approximately 1, while water is neutral with a pH of 7. Most soft drinks have a pH between 2.5 and 4, putting them firmly on the acidic end of the scale.

Citric Acid: Found naturally in citrus fruits, it is used in industrialized form to give drinks their tangy bite. Research has shown that citric acid can erode tooth enamel significantly over time.
Phosphoric Acid: This acid is a primary ingredient in many colas and contributes to their sharp taste. While effective, some food scientists note the amount in a single can is minuscule, challenging the myth's premise.

Fact vs. Exaggeration: Can a mouse really vanish?

So, would any soda can dissolve a mouse? No, not entirely. Experts agree the total disappearance of a mouse is scientifically implausible in the amount of soda contained within a single can. A mouse carcass would not simply vanish without a trace.

Food scientists explain that the acids would slowly attack the teeth and bones—which contain calcium and other minerals—but the collagen and soft tissues would remain. The process would be more akin to a slow degradation than a complete, rapid dissolution. A veterinary pathologist's testimony in the lawsuit claimed a mouse would become a “jelly-like substance” after about 30 days, but other experts suggest that spoilage would likely be the more dominant process over time. The myth, therefore, serves as a powerful exaggeration highlighting the acidic nature of soda.

Nutritional Implications Beyond the Myth

While the mouse myth is concerning, the real-world nutritional impacts of soda are far more relevant and pose significant health risks. Regular soda consumption offers little to no nutritional value and is a source of "empty calories" from high added sugar content, often in the form of high-fructose corn syrup.

High sugar intake is linked to a range of chronic health issues, including:

Obesity and Weight Gain: The high calories from sugar-sweetened beverages contribute to weight gain, and soda does not provide the same feeling of fullness as solid food.
Type 2 Diabetes: Frequent consumption of sugary drinks can lead to insulin resistance, increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Heart Disease: Excess sugar intake can increase triglycerides and lower good cholesterol (HDL), both of which are risk factors for heart disease.
Dental Health: The combination of sugar and acid in soda creates a perfect storm for dental problems. Bacteria in the mouth feed on sugar and produce acid, which, combined with the soda's inherent acidity, accelerates tooth enamel erosion and decay.

Regular vs. Diet Soda: The Unsweetened Truth

When considering a healthier diet, many people switch from regular soda to diet soda, believing it to be a safer alternative. However, diet sodas are not without their own set of concerns. Here's a comparison:


Feature	Regular Soda	Diet Soda
Sugar Content	Very high (e.g., 29-42g per 12oz can)	Zero (uses artificial sweeteners)
Calorie Content	High	Zero or low
Impact on Weight	Directly contributes to weight gain and obesity	May affect gut microbiota and appetite, potentially leading to weight gain
Dental Health	High sugar and acidity accelerate tooth decay	The acid content still erodes tooth enamel
Risk of Diabetes	Significantly increases risk of type 2 diabetes	Does not lower diabetes risk and may be an independent risk factor
Gut Health	Can cause digestive irritation and potentially alter gut microbiota	Studies suggest artificial sweeteners may negatively impact the gut microbiome

Toward a Healthier Nutrition Diet: Alternatives to Soda

Removing soda from your diet can be a significant step toward improving your overall health. Many delicious alternatives can satisfy your craving for a fizzy, flavorful drink without the negative health consequences. Here are some healthier options:

Infused Water: Add slices of lemon, lime, cucumber, or berries to water for a refreshing and naturally flavored drink.
Sparkling Water: Get the carbonation you crave with zero calories or sugar. Many brands offer flavored versions with no added sweeteners.
Kombucha: This fermented tea provides fizz and can offer probiotic benefits for gut health. Look for options with low sugar content.
Herbal Tea: Brewed and chilled herbal teas like hibiscus or mint can provide a flavorful, hydrating beverage.
Unsweetened Iced Tea or Coffee: These can provide a caffeine boost without the sugar overload of soda.

Conclusion

The tale of the mouse in the Mountain Dew can is a powerful, though exaggerated, illustration of the corrosive properties of soda. The beverage's high acidity, while not powerful enough to make a mouse entirely disappear, is strong enough to cause serious harm to human health over time, from dental enamel erosion to increased risks of chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. For those concerned with maintaining a healthy nutrition diet, the myth serves as a valuable cautionary tale: if the very ingredients in soda can break down bones, it's worth considering the impact they have on our own bodies.

For more information on nutrition, the American Heart Association provides excellent resources on limiting sugar intake to improve cardiovascular health.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, a mouse did not completely dissolve in a can of Mountain Dew. While the high acid content can break down some organic material over a long period, it would not cause the mouse to disappear entirely. Experts noted that soft tissues and hair would have remained.

Sodas contain acids like phosphoric acid (in colas) and citric acid (in citrus drinks), which give them a low pH and a tangy flavor. This high acidity can be corrosive to organic materials, particularly the minerals in teeth and bones, over time.

Soda is generally considered bad for a healthy diet because it provides empty calories from added sugar without any nutritional benefits. This can lead to weight gain, obesity, and an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and dental problems.

The sugar and acids in soda create an environment that encourages bacterial growth and the production of more acid in your mouth. This accelerates the erosion of tooth enamel, leading to dental decay and cavities.

Diet soda is not necessarily a healthy alternative. While it's low in sugar and calories, it still contains acids that can harm dental enamel. Some studies also suggest artificial sweeteners may negatively affect the gut microbiome and metabolic function.

Healthier alternatives include water, infused water with natural fruit flavors, plain or flavored sparkling water, kombucha, and unsweetened iced teas or coffee. These options help you stay hydrated without the high sugar and acid content.

You can gradually reduce your soda intake by cutting back on the amount you drink each day. Try substituting one can of soda with a healthier alternative, or use smaller cans and fill your glass with ice to reduce the serving size.