Is Pepsi Bad For You?
Also Known As: pepsi-cola
Short answer
Pepsi is terrible for you. There is nothing good about it as far as health is concerned and should be avoided by anyone seeking to increase their longevity.
Recommended Alternative
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
Pepsi is one of the most popular selling drinks with annual revenues worth billions of dollars. With healthy living being on the rise, you may think that such high profits indicate some benefits. As it turns out, Pepsi contains zero benefits apart from a temporary caffeine boost. The fact that Pepsi sells so well may be due to the same reason it gives its boost of energy - the caffeine. Caffeine is an addictive substance and as such when the human body develops tolerance to the amount found in one can, the brain thinks it needs more. Still, it would not be fair to say that Pepsi is addictive along the lines of cigarettes or heroin. However, there are several ingredients to watch out for filling each 12 oz can of Pepsi...
The first is HFCS - or high fructose corn syrup - and yes this is on top of the sugar that is already in the drink. HFCS has been linked to a wide range of both short-term and long-term effects including tooth decay, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and weight gain, among others. The majority of HFCS has also been produced using GMO corn, which although still being studied, may have the potential to introduce illnesses / diseases never seen before.
If you look closer at the ingredients, you will find caramel coloring. Caramel coloring may be especially dangerous for its byproduct: 4-methylimidazone (4-MEL). 4-MEL is carcinogenic and has been shown to be present in Pepsi at levels between four and eight times higher than what is considered "safe" by the State of California. Not only does caramel color pose the risk of cancer, but many studies have also linked the additive to an increase of blood pressure and a decreased count of white blood cells (yes, these are the cells that prevent us from getting sick).
Lastly, there is a rumor online about Pepsi that should be addressed, which may be the only good thing it has going for it. While Pepsi is in no way beneficial to your health, it does not contain kidney cells from aborted human fetuses. HEK-293, the name given to the human embryonic cells that come from the kidney cells of a single fetus aborted in the 1970s, is highly suspected to be used in Research & Development in finding which flavor formula will be best. None of the cells, however, are present in any PepsiCo products.
Possible short-term side effects
Possible long-term side effects
- weight gain
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decrease of white blood cells
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high blood pressure
diabetes
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heart disease
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gastrointestinal problems
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kidney failure
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cancer
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addiction
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tooth decay
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metabolic syndrome
Ingredients to be aware of
Benefits
Healthier alternatives
Our Wellness Pick
(what is this?)
Zevia Zero Calorie Cola
- No calorie soda
- Contains natural sweeteners
- Sugar-free
- No artificial colors
- Non-GMO Project Verified
Learn More!
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Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 01-01-2016
Last updated: 12-15-2023
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 01-01-2016
Last updated: 12-15-2023
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