Is Dr Pepper Bad For You?
Short answer
Apart from giving some people a jolt of energy from the caffeine, Dr Pepper is an extremely unhealthy beverage. What is more, many of its ingredients have been linked to several deleterious health effects such as cancer.
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
Although one person interviewed at the age of 104 has attributed her longevity to decades-long daily consumption of Dr Pepper, it should be noted that some musicians have credited recreational drugs as sources of inspiration. Dr Pepper, which originated in Waco, Texas back in 1885, is loaded with ingredients that have been linked to several serious health complications.
The first ingredient that may cause alarm even to the casual observer is high fructose corn syrup. HFCS has been linked to tooth decay, diabetes, kidney problems, and even colon cancer. Another ingredient found in Dr Pepper that is commonly found in other soda brands is caramel color. Carmel color is an additive that has been linked to stomach and liver problems, hyperactivity, cancer, and most telling of all - reduced white blood cell and lymphocyte counts (white blood cells are involved in fighting off disease). It's pretty unfortunate that caramel color is used for nothing more than aesthetic purposes. Phosphoric acid, like HFCS, has been shown to possibly have a negative effect on the kidneys. Additionally, it may cause calcium loss in bones and lead to osteoporosis. Lastly, we have artificial flavors. To say the least, artificial flavors have been chemically produced in a lab and have been linked to a very broad range of side effects including kidney damage, central nervous system damage, chest pain, and nausea.
While most of the ingredients found in Dr Pepper are found in other soda brands, there is one factor that sets it apart- its 23 flavors (this is more of a fun fact than anything else). What these flavors are considered a trade secret, there is a list given on the Internet: amaretto, blackberry, almond, black licorice, carrot, clove, cherry, caramel, cola, ginger, juniper, lemon, molasses, nutmeg, orange, prune, plum, pepper, root beer, rum, raspberry, tomato, and vanilla. This list should be taken with a grain of salt, however, as it is noteworthy that at least one ingredient - prune - has been denied by the company as being an ingredient.
Possible short-term side effects
- increased blood sugar
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hyperactivity in children
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nausea
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chest pain with excessive amounts
Possible long-term side effects
- tooth decay
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osteoporosis
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diabetes
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cancer
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metabolic syndrome
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lowered white blood cell count
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lowered lymphocyte count
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central nervous system damage
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kidney damage
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weight gain
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addiction
Ingredients to be aware of
Benefits
Healthier alternatives
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