Short answer
7 Up is a non-caffeinated soft drink that is loaded with high fructose corn syrup, has no mineral or vitamin content and no nutritional value.
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
7 Up is a popular non-caffeinated lemon-lime flavored beverage that was released in 1929. It initially contained the mood-stabilizing drug lithium citrate which was removed in 1948. 7 Up has been reformulated multiple times but it still has no nutritional value and contains several awful ingredients.
One of the main ingredients in 7 Up is high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Although the FDA regards HFCS as safe there is substantial evidence linking it to the huge obesity issue - especially in the United States. At Princeton University, research validated that all sweeteners are not the same. Rat studies demonstrated that weight gain was significantly higher with ingestion of HFCS compared to table sugar even when the caloric intake was the same. Long-term ingestion of HFCS leads to an increase in visceral fat (intra-abdominal fat) that is linked to metabolic syndrome. Visceral fat is like a bowl of “toxic soup” that sits in the intra-abdominal area and is linked to high blood sugar, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and triglyceride levels and increase risk of cardiovascular disease. The obesity level, even in children has reached epidemic proportions in the United States and beverages like 7 Up are contributing to this.
Another detrimental additive in 7 Up is EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid). Although deemed safe by the FDA, this chelating agent (which binds heavy metals in the system) has been linked to a plethora of health issues. EDTA is a chemical created from the combination of Formaldehyde, Sodium Cyanide, and Ethylene Diamine. This poison is added to many sodas, processed foods including sandwich spreads, salad dressings, sauces and numerous canned or pickled foods. The purpose is to increase shelf life by preventing rancidity, discoloration, and the separation of oils and fats.
EDTA has various side effects including depletion of important metals/vitamins, headaches, migraines, abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness and fatigue. More troubling is the long-term risks of toxicity and kidney damage. An additional concern is attributed to the unknown side effects of the possible build up in the body over time. As a whole, people are using more artificially preserved items now than ever before in history. The collective overuse of many toxic and carcinogenic chemicals create a problem for researchers in ascertaining which destructive substances are responsible for specific long-term side effects.
There are many great alternatives to 7 Up. Organic juices are a wonderful substitute. And of course, water should always be part of everyone’s daily routine. 7 Up is a popular beverage but its consumption should be limited to avoid potential health side effects. The only “benefit” with 7 Up compared to many sodas is that it is caffeine free - outside of that it does not offer any nutritional value to the internal body.
Possible short-term side effects
- headaches/migraines
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abdominal discomfort
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nausea
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vomiting
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fatigue
Possible long-term side effects
- depletion of important metals/vitamins
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weight gain
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metabolic syndrome
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kidney failure
Ingredients to be aware of
Healthy alternative
(what is this?)
Blue Sky Cane Sugar Soda
- EDTA-free
- Naturally Flavored
- No HFCS
- 100% cane sugar
Learn More!
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