Soda has historically had a bad name in terms of health. The new healthy soda boom, led by probiotic soda brands like Poppi and Olipop, is making the soda experience a little more guilt-free, fueled by healthier ingredients and fewer additives and artificial colors. However, Tara Collingwood, MS, RDN, CSSD, LD/N, ACSM-CPT, a Board-Certified Sports Dietitian and co-author of the Flat Belly Cookbook for Dummies, tells us there are still so many sodas on the market with alarming ingredients. Here are 6 soda brands with the most alarming ingredient lists.
Mountain Dew
PepsiCo
Mountain Dew stands out for its combination of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), caffeine, artificial flavors, and artificial colors like Yellow 5, also known as tartrazine. Yellow 5 is one of the most widely used synthetic food dyes in the U.S.—and it’s on its way out if the FDA has its way. In 2025, the agency announced plans to phase out petroleum-based artificial dyes such as Yellow 5, Red 40, and Yellow 6 by the end of 2026, citing growing concerns about potential neurobehavioral effects in children. While still technically legal, these dyes are under increasing scrutiny, and many manufacturers are already reformulating. Mountain Dew also delivers a whopping 77 grams of sugar per 20 oz bottle, more than many sodas—for comparison, a 20 oz Coca-Cola contains 65 grams.
Coca-Cola Cherry
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola Cherry is another flavor-enhanced soda with lots of problematic ingredients. In addition to High Fructose Corn Syrup it also has artificial flavors, caramel coloring, and lots of sugar, 57g per 20 oz bottle. “Sweetness masks acidity that may erode tooth enamel over time,” Collingwood adds.
RELATED: The 26 Unhealthiest Sodas—Ranked by Sugar Content
Fanta Orange
Coca-Cola
Fanta Orange is popular with kids, but it is full of unhealthy ingredients. Why is it alarming? If is filled with artificial dyes (Yellow 6, Red 40) and HFCS. “It has no real orange juice despite the flavor,” says Collingwood. It is also full of sugar, 44g per 20 oz. “Bright dyes are potentially linked to behavioral issues in children,” says Collingwood.
Dr Pepper
Dr Pepper is also alarming. “A cocktail of 23 artificial flavors,” says Collingwood. It has HFCS, caramel coloring, and phosphoric acid, and boasts 64 grams of sugar. “High acidity and chemical load,” she says.
Rockstar Energy Soda
Rockstar Energy Soda may give you a burst of energy, but it’s not natural by any means. “It has excessive caffeine combined with sugar,” says Collingwood. Ingredients include artificial flavors and colors, taurine, guarana, and other stimulants, and lots of sugar – 63g per 16 oz. “Raises heart rate and blood pressure; not recommended for kids or sensitive individuals,” says Collingwood.
