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Short answer
Sierra Mist, like most sodas, is bad for you. Any highly processed beverage or food will contain chemicals that you want to avoid, and this is no exception.
Recommended Alternative
Letter Grade for Sierra Mist
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.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
A+
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
A
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circ*mstances such as an allergic reaction.
A-
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'
B+
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
B
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
B-
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'
C+
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
C
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.
C-
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'
D+
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
D
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
D-
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'
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
'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
PepsiCo’s Sierra Mist has been advertised as the healthy and “natural” soda alternative, even renaming their product to Sierra Mist Natural. What seems to be a great option for the health-conscious consumer has been exposed as a cleverly designed marketing tactic.
Sierra Mist Natural claims to have no artificial ingredients, it’s caffeine free, with 100% natural flavors and made with real sugar. The label “natural flavors” is a very broad term that the FDA approved as a category for many lab-made ingredients that to the common consumer would not be “natural”. Among these legally “natural” flavorings are excitotoxins which are chemicals with an addictive quality that keep you wanting more. This logically would be a very desirable additive for companies like PepsiCo. Unfortunately for the consumer, excitotoxins can be harmful, causing depression, fatigue, migraines and possible nerve disorders.
Besides the misleading flavor recipe, there remains another disturbing fact. What is used for Sierra Mist’s “real sugar”?
Amazingly enough, they are one of the very few name-brand soda companies that do not use high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) as a sweetener in their soft drinks. A little-known fact is that manufacturers (of soda or any other product) are not required to specify whether they use cane sugar or beet sugar as the “sugar” or “sucrose” in their products.
Beet sugar doesn’t sound all that bad, right? Well here’s the kicker. About 95% of all sugar beets that are grown in the US are genetically modified (GMO) and around 50% to 60% of white sugar comes from these beets, and consumers are blind to it. Unless it is specified on the label that the sugar comes from 100% pure cane sugar (which is not yet GMO) or is certified organic, it is more than likely to contain genetically modified beet sugar that contains high levels of glyphosate.
A little on glyphosate: it inhibits thegrowth of healthy bacteria in the gut leading to an overpopulation of pathogenic intestinal bacteria. This causes chronic inflammation over time including other side effects.
Another ingredient in Sierra Mist and commonly found in sodas is potassium citrate. If sensitive to this ingredient it can cause an upset stomach, abdominal discomfort, nausea and loose stool.
PepsiCo has been sued for abusing the label “natural” on their product, and they promptlychanged Sierra Mist Natural back to Sierra Mist. They admitted that they do use a mix of cane sugar and GMO beet sugar. Not so natural after all.
Possible short-term side effects
- depression
- fatigue
- migraines
- gastrointestinal upset
- nausea
- abdominal discomfort
- loose stools
Possible long-term side effects
- nerve disorders
- chronic inflammation
- cancer and disease
Ingredients to be aware of
- gmo beet sugar
- glyphosate
- “natural flavors”
- potassium citrate
Our Wellness Pick (what is this?)
Zevia Lemon Lime Soda
- Zero calorie drink
- No artificial sweeteners
- Refreshing citrus twist
- Non-GMO Project Verified
- Sugar-free option
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Aubrie Robinson
Published on: 04-07-2016
Last updated: 12-15-2023
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Aubrie Robinson
Published on: 04-07-2016
Last updated: 12-15-2023
