Quick Answer
A 32 oz bottle of Diet Mountain Dew contains 0 calories. Diet Mountain Dew is a zero calorie soft drink that uses artificial sweeteners instead of sugar. This allows it to provide the signature Mountain Dew taste without any calories or sugar.
Calorie and Nutrition Facts for Diet Mountain Dew
Diet Mountain Dew contains the following nutrition facts for a 32 oz bottle (946 ml):
| Calories | 0 |
| Total Fat | 0 g |
| Sodium | 135 mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
As you can see, a 32 oz bottle of Diet Mountain Dew contains 0 calories and 0 grams of sugar. It also contains 135 mg of sodium and no fat, carbohydrates, or protein.
The lack of calories in Diet Mountain Dew is because it is sweetened with artificial sweeteners instead of sugar. The most commonly used sweeteners in Diet Mountain Dew are aspartame, sucralose, and acesulfame potassium (Ace-K).
These zero calorie sweeteners provide the sweet taste of regular Mountain Dew, without adding any calories or carbohydrates. This allows people watching their sugar and calorie intake to enjoy the citrus, lime flavor of Mountain Dew without worrying about calories.
Nutrition Facts Comparison of Diet vs Regular Mountain Dew
To see the difference in nutrition facts, here is a comparison of a 32 oz Diet Mountain Dew versus a 32 oz regular Mountain Dew:
| Nutrition Facts | Diet Mountain Dew (32 oz) | Regular Mountain Dew (32 oz) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 0 | 280 |
| Total Fat | 0 g | 0 g |
| Sodium | 135 mg | 105 mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 0 g | 76 g |
| Sugars | 0 g | 76 g |
| Protein | 0 g | 0 g |
As you can see by comparing the nutrition labels, the key difference is the 0 calories and 0 grams of sugar in Diet Mountain Dew versus 280 calories and 76 grams of sugar in regular Mountain Dew.
So if you are looking to cut back on calories and sugar, Diet Mountain Dew provides the same great taste of Mountain Dew without the extra calories or sugar.
Background on Diet Mountain Dew
Diet Mountain Dew was first introduced in 1988 as a lower calorie variant of regular Mountain Dew. It was originally sweetened with a mix of saccharin and aspartame.
The diet soft drink was invented to appeal to health conscious consumers who wanted to enjoy the citrus flavor of Mountain Dew without the high sugar content. Diet Mountain Dew grew to become one of the top selling diet sodas and the 5th highest selling carbonated soft drink overall in the U.S.
Over the years, Diet Mountain Dew has reformulated its recipe multiple times. This was done to improve taste as new artificial sweeteners became available.
Here is a brief timeline of when key sweetener changes occurred in Diet Mountain Dew:
- 1988 – First launched sweetened with a mix of saccharin and aspartame
- 2000 – Switched to using a mix of aspartame and acesulfame potassium (Ace-K)
- 2009 – Replaced aspartame with sucralose
- 2013 – Added back aspartame in combination with sucralose
Today, the primary sweeteners used in Diet Mountain Dew are aspartame, sucralose, and Ace-K. These provide the strong, crisp, citrus taste people expect with 0 calories and sugar.
Reasons People Drink Diet Soda
There are several reasons that people choose to drink zero calorie sodas like Diet Mountain Dew:
- Weight loss – The main reason is to reduce calorie intake to help lose weight or manage weight. Diet sodas have zero calories versus 140-150 calories per 12 oz can of regular soda.
- Diabetes – People with diabetes often switch to diet drinks to help control blood sugar and carbohydrate intake.
- Dental health – They are non-staining and don’t promote tooth decay like regular sugary sodas.
- Lifestyle preference – Some people just enjoy the taste but want to minimize their sugar and calorie intake. Diet sodas allow them to indulge their soda craving without calories.
- Low-carb/keto diets – Diet sodas have zero carbs, so they fit into carbohydrate restrictive diets like keto.
So while water is the healthiest beverage choice, diet sodas like Diet Mountain Dew can be an appealing alternative to sugary beverages. They provide the carbonation and flavor people crave with minimal calories, carbs, and sugar.
Are There Any Health Concerns with Consuming Artificial Sweeteners?
Many people have questions around whether drinking diet soda is truly safe and healthy. Here is a look at some common health concerns related to artificial sweeteners:
Weight Gain
There have been some associative studies that linked consumption of artificial sweeteners to increased weight gain over time. However, overall scientific consensus based on controlled studies is that using diet sodas in place of regular sodas can be an effective way to reduce total calorie intake and assist with weight loss goals. More research is still needed on this topic.
Cancer Risk
One of the biggest concerns has been whether artificial sweeteners like aspartame increase cancer risk. However, extensive testing by regulatory agencies has found that approved sweeteners are safe at typical exposure levels. Reviews by European Food Safety Authority and the US National Cancer Institute have not identified a link between aspartame and cancer risk in humans.
Headaches
A small subset of people have reported headaches after consuming aspartame. However, double-blind controlled studies found that headaches occurred at similar rates after ingesting aspartame versus placebo. Overall, there is no conclusive evidence that aspartame triggers headaches. Individuals who experience this symptom should avoid aspartame.
While moderate intake of diet soda is considered safe for most healthy individuals, as with many things, excessive consumption can potentially have adverse effects. The FDA recommends a maximum acceptable daily intake level of 50 mg per kg of body weight for aspartame.
Is Diet Soda Bad for Your Teeth?
One area of concern with diet soda is the impact on dental health. Here is a summary of how diet soda affects your teeth:
Acid Erosion
Like regular soda, diet sodas contain acid that can erode tooth enamel. Carbonated soft drinks are very acidic, with pH levels between 3-4. This acidity can gradually dissolve the mineral content of tooth enamel.
However, diet sodas tend to be slightly less acidic. So while frequent consumption should still be avoided, the impact may be reduced versus regular soda.
Tooth Decay
Diet sodas do not contain sugar, so they do not promote tooth decay from that perspective. However, the acids in diet soda can still deactivate the bacteria fighting effects of saliva over time and make teeth more prone to decay from other carbohydrate sources.
Staining
Diet sodas like Diet Mountain Dew do not contain coloring agents or sugars that can lead to tooth discoloration or staining.
Overall, while diet sodas are slightly less damaging to teeth than regular sugary sodas, the acidic pH can still be harmful over time. Minimizing consumption and properly brushing and flossing remains important for dental health. Drinking diet soda in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet is considered safe for teeth.
Alternatives to Diet Soda
If you are concerned about the potential impacts of diet soda or artificial sweeteners, here are some alternatives to consider:
- Water – Always the healthiest choice, try sparkling water for a bubbly alternative.
- Unsweetened teas – Opt for plain iced tea or lightly sweeten it yourself.
- Diluted fruit juice – Mix half water, half 100% fruit juice.
- Low-calorie juice drinks – Some brands offer lower sugar options.
- Sparkling water with fruit – Add slices of citrus fruits like lemon, lime, and orange.
- Unsweetened coffee/tea – Enjoy plain or use small amounts of milk, cream, or sweetener.
The key is choosing beverages that are low in sugar and calories. Be mindful of juice and coffee/tea drinks that can still contain high amounts of added sugars. Read nutrition labels carefully.
The Bottom Line
So in summary, here are the key facts on calories and nutrition in Diet Mountain Dew:
- A 32 oz bottle of Diet Mountain Dew contains 0 calories and 0 g of sugar
- It is sweetened with artificial sweeteners like aspartame, sucralose, and Ace-K
- Switching from regular to diet soda can assist with managing calories for weight loss
- There are no proven risks from artificial sweeteners at typical consumption levels
- Diet soda is slightly less harmful to teeth than regular soda but can still erode enamel over time
- Water, teas, coffee, and diluted juices are healthier alternatives to diet soda
While drinking diet soda occasionally can be safe for most people as part of an overall healthy diet, limiting consumption is recommended. Moderation is key, as with many foods and beverages.
Be sure to consult your dentist and doctor about how diet soda and artificial sweeteners fit into your individualized nutrition plan. They can provide guidance based on your specific health conditions and needs.
