Which is the Most Unhealthiest Soda on the Market?

October 22, 2025 •

4 min read

According to one report, a 20-ounce bottle of Crush Pineapple soda can contain a staggering 85 grams of sugar, highlighting a severe health concern with popular carbonated beverages. The question of which is the most unhealthiest soda involves examining not just sugar content, but also other ingredients like acids and artificial additives.

Quick Summary

An analysis of popular sodas reveals the top contenders for the most unhealthy due to exceptionally high sugar, acidity, and potentially harmful ingredients. Health consequences like obesity, diabetes, and dental decay are detailed, along with a look at why diet sodas may not be a healthy alternative.

Key Points

High Sugar Content: Sodas with over 40 grams of sugar per 12-ounce can, like Mountain Dew (46g) and Crush Pineapple (85g in a 20oz bottle), are major health risks.
Acidity and Dental Health: The high acidity in sodas, combined with sugar, severely erodes tooth enamel and causes decay. Mountain Dew's acidity makes it particularly damaging to teeth.
Diet Soda is Not Safe: Diet sodas, while sugar-free, contain artificial sweeteners that are linked to potential weight gain, metabolic issues, and a higher risk of liver disease than sugary drinks, according to a recent study.
Health Risks: Regular soda consumption is directly linked to an increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, dental decay, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Best Alternative is Water: The safest and healthiest alternative to any soda is water. Flavored sparkling water, kombucha, and herbal teas are good alternatives for flavor.

The Primary Culprits: High Sugar Content

The most straightforward way to determine an unhealthy soda is by its sheer sugar load. The amount of added sugar in many soft drinks far exceeds daily recommendations, leading to numerous health problems. For instance, the American Heart Association suggests a daily intake of no more than 36 grams for men and 25 grams for women, making just a single can of many popular sodas enough to blow past these limits.

Beyond Sugar: Acidity and Other Additives

It's not just the sugar that makes soda unhealthy. The combination of high sugar and acidity poses a severe threat to dental health, eroding enamel and leading to cavities. Citric and phosphoric acids are common culprits in many sodas, including clear ones like Sprite, which can be more damaging to teeth than some might assume. Additionally, some sodas have contained controversial additives like brominated vegetable oil (BVO), which has raised health concerns.

The Double Threat: Sugar and Acidity

Mountain Dew: This soda's high acidity, combined with its high sugar content, makes it particularly harmful for dental health, even more so than classic Coke. The prolonged sipping of this drink due to caffeine extends the teeth's exposure to this damaging duo.
Cola: Known for having high acidity, cola can contribute significantly to tooth decay and softened tooth enamel.
Diet Sodas: Despite lacking sugar, diet sodas still contain acids that can erode tooth enamel, making them far from a healthy alternative for dental health.

Regular vs. Diet Soda: Is One Better?

The misconception that diet soda is a healthy swap for its sugary counterpart is widespread, but research reveals a more complex picture. While diet sodas are calorie-free and sugar-free, they contain artificial sweeteners that may pose their own health risks.

Why Diet Sodas Aren't a Free Pass

Weight Management: Studies on diet sodas and weight are inconclusive. Some suggest artificial sweeteners may increase cravings for high-calorie foods, potentially leading to weight gain.
Liver Health: A recent study found a link between low- or non-sugar-sweetened beverages and an increased risk of liver disease and related mortality, sometimes higher than that associated with sugary drinks.
Metabolic Health: Artificial sweeteners may cause 'insulin confusion' by triggering the release of insulin without the corresponding sugar, potentially leading to insulin resistance.
Kidney Health: Excessive consumption of diet sodas has been linked to potential kidney function decline.

Comparison Table: Unhealthiest Sodas at a Glance


Soda Brand	Serving Size	Sugar (grams)	Acidity Factor	Other Noteworthy Ingredients	Risks
Crush Pineapple	20oz Bottle	85	Not specified	Primarily water, sugar, citric acid	Extremely high sugar leads to obesity, diabetes risk.
Mountain Dew	12oz Can	46	High (pH ~3.2)	Caffeine, BVO	Very high sugar, high acidity, and caffeine amplify health risks, especially dental damage.
Coca-Cola	12oz Can	39	High (pH ~2.5)	Caffeine, phosphoric acid	High sugar, high acidity, and phosphoric acid contribute to diabetes, obesity, and dental erosion.
Pepsi	12oz Can	41	Similar to Coke	Caffeine, phosphoric acid	High sugar and acidity risks, similar to Coke.
Diet Coke	12oz Can	0	High (Phosphoric acid)	Artificial Sweeteners (Aspartame)	Acidity still erodes teeth. Risks potentially associated with artificial sweeteners.

The Healthier Alternative: Simple Swaps

The best advice for anyone looking to reduce their health risks is to eliminate soda altogether. The healthiest choice for hydration is always water. However, for those who crave fizz and flavor, there are several healthier alternatives:

Sparkling Water: Offers the carbonation without the sugar. Brands like LaCroix or Spindrift add natural fruit essences.
Kombucha: This fermented tea contains probiotics beneficial for gut health. There are many low-sugar and even zero-sugar options available.
Fruit-Infused Water: Add fresh fruit slices like lemon, lime, or berries to plain water for a natural flavor boost.
Herbal Tea: Unsweetened iced tea can be a refreshing and antioxidant-rich alternative.

For more guidance on managing sugar intake and overall dietary health, authoritative sources like the NHS guidance on sugar can be very helpful.

Conclusion

While identifying the single most unhealthy soda can be debated based on specific ingredients, the data points to drinks with extremely high sugar and acid content, like Crush Pineapple and Mountain Dew, as serious offenders. More importantly, it's clear that all sodas, both regular and diet, pose significant health risks due to sugar overload, acidity, or artificial additives. Shifting away from these beverages towards healthier options like water, flavored sparkling water, or kombucha is the most impactful change you can make for your long-term wellness.

Frequently Asked Questions

While sugar content varies by serving size, large fountain drinks and specific bottles can contain extreme amounts. For instance, a 20-ounce bottle of Crush Pineapple has 85g, and a large fountain drink can contain over 140g.

No, diet soda is not necessarily healthier. While it has no calories or sugar, it contains artificial sweeteners linked to potential health issues, including increased risk for weight gain and, in recent studies, higher risk of liver disease than sugary soda.

Sodas high in both sugar and acid are the worst for teeth. Mountain Dew is often cited as being more damaging than Coke due to its specific acidity and sugar combination.

BVO is an emulsifier used in some sodas, including Mountain Dew and Fanta. It has been controversial and linked to certain health concerns, leading many to avoid products that contain it.

Long-term consumption of soda, whether regular or diet, is linked to a variety of chronic health issues including obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, dental decay, and liver problems like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

The healthiest alternative is water. Other good options include sparkling water with natural fruit essence, kombucha for probiotics, or unsweetened herbal tea.

The research is mixed on whether diet soda aids weight loss. Some studies suggest artificial sweeteners can increase cravings for high-calorie foods, potentially undermining weight loss efforts. Other studies indicate a possible link between diet soda consumption and higher BMI.