A common urban legend claims that Mountain Dew has a negative impact on sperm production. Fans of this soft carbonated drink don’t need to be concerned about their reproductive health, dispelling the myth straight away. There is no proof, according to science, that Mountain Dew destroys sperm.
To begin with, how did this story come to be told?
Everything comes down to yellow dye #5 and caffeine, two key elements in Mountain Dew. As long as you’re in good health, there isn’t much of a risk in using these substances.
To answer your query, does mountain dew lower sperm count, here is the full answer.
How does caffeine affect sperm?
Comparing Mountain Dew to several other caffeinated beverages, it comes out on top with 55 mg of caffeine per 12-oz cup. For instance, Pepsi-Cola has 37.5 mg of caffeine, while Diet Coke has 46.6 mg, Coca-Cola Classic has 34 mg, and Yellow Mellow has 52.8 mg.
28 sperm measuring studies related to coffee and caffeine intake were examined in a review article published in the Nutrition Journal. While some evidence suggests harmful impacts, the data was too scattered to allow for a firm conclusion.
It might surprise you to learn that drinking a 12-oz cup of coffee every day can result in improved sperm motility. On the other hand, high caffeine use, defined as four or more cups of coffee per day, is associated with reduced motility. When you examine the amount of caffeine in 12 ounces of Mountain Dew versus coffee, it is clear that the fizzy beverage is unlikely to be harmful.
See, a 12-oz cup of coffee contains 217 mg of caffeine, which is nearly four times what Mountain Dew contains. As suggested, in order to slow down sperm, you must consume at least four cups of coffee. In order to have the same bad effect, you would need to consume more than 10 cans of Mountain Dew. In spite of this, you shouldn’t drink a much of Mountain Dew. However, even if you do, it won’t endanger the eager swimmers; instead, it will decrease sperm motility.
How does Yellow Dye #5 affect sperm?
Rumor has it that Yellow Dye #5 (tartrazine) is the second most typical offender that has an impact on male fertility. The myth goes one step further and claims that this dye can shrink the penis and testicles. However, there is no need to fear because your family’s priceless possessions will remain undamaged.
Tartrazine has been deemed safe for human consumption by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In a test on volunteers who took 1225mg of tartrazine per kilogram of body weight, the EFSA did not discover any detrimental effects on male fertility. However, you should be aware that the FDA recommends a daily maximum of 5 mg of tartrazine per kilogram of body weight.
Aside from potential fertility issues, Yellow Dye #5 could have certain unwanted effects. Some people are hyperactive, prone to eczema, or even develop asthma if they are exposed to this food coloring. These are thankfully uncommon instances. You should be perfectly safe unless you are prone to adverse responses to certain foods.
In actuality, tartrazine is a widely used food dye. In addition to Mountain Dew, it can be found in food items like sweets and potato chips as well as cosmetics and medications. Almost none of this food coloring is broken down by your body. Instead, the majority of it is eliminated by urine.
The bottom line is that neither sperm death nor sperm count are impacted by tartrazine. Still, the Yellow Dye #5 is one of the food colors that the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) advises staying away from. This is due to the possibility that food additives could be contaminated with cancer-causing agents.
Other Food Myths
Aside from the myth that Mountain Dew causes sperm counts to decline. Here are some culinary facts that, despite being commonly believed, are really just food myths that need to be debunked.
Myth No. 1: The five-second rule applies when you drop a food.
If you drop a piece of candy on the ground by accident, pick it up, wipe it off, eat it, and proudly say, “Five seconds rule!” The five-second rule and especially the 10-second rule are both awful lies due to the fact that germs can quickly travel to the goodies you drop on the ground. A study from Rutgers University found that bacteria can sometimes spread to dropped food in less than a second. Researchers found that how quickly bacteria spread depends on how wet the food is. They found that the least contaminated food was gummy candies and that the most contaminated food was watermelon.
Myth No. 2: French fries originated in France.
According to National Geographic, although the history of French fries is a little murky, there is solid evidence that they originated in Belgium, not France. When the river froze and they were unable to fry fish, villagers along the River Meuse turned to frying potatoes. In France, the crisp, golden fries aren’t even known as French fries. Frites, or “pommes frites,” are another name for them.
Myth No. 3: It takes seven years to digest a gum.
You may have been told as a child not to swallow gum since it may take seven years to digest. However, you can relax because, unlike the bottom of your shoes, your intestinal tract isn’t being adhered to by gum. According to the Duke University Health System, your body breaks down gum in the same way it does other foods.
Myth No. 4: McDonald’s meals contain “pink slime.”
People often ask fast food restaurants if their burgers contain “pink slime,” which is a cheap filler made of lean beef scraps that have been treated with ammonia. In 2014, McDonald’s began a YouTube series to clear up some common misunderstandings. In the video, the company’s director of strategic supply said, “There is no pink slime in any of our meat—not our beef, not our chicken, nothing.”
Myth No. 5: Coffee stunts your growth.
The good news is that coffee doesn’t really slow down your growth. Genes play a major role in determining your height, but so does healthy eating.
Myth No. 6: You can grow a watermelon in your stomach by swallowing a watermelon seed.
Okay, so it’s safe to say that you haven’t bought into this one since you were a kid. But it’s true: If you ingest the seeds, your stomach won’t grow a watermelon.
Conclusion
Mountain Dew’s alleged ability to reduce sperm count is a figment of popular imagination. There is no risk to your reproductive health if you consume this beverage. Although it’s fine to have a little, don’t go overboard. Mountain Dew includes a lot of sugar in it, as do most other carbonated soft drinks (46 grams per 12 ounces). Diabetes and obesity are both linked to excessive sugar consumption. Mountain Dew is also high in caffeine, so don’t forget about that. Caffeine is not harmful to sperm, however it might produce irritation and diarrhea if consumed in excess.
An untruth or false belief regarding food in general is referred to as a food myth. People can start adhering to the newest diet craze as a result. It can entail removing a perfectly healthy food from your diet because you believe it to be harmful. It needs to be disproved when it is a complete fabrication.
Research is necessary before we can believe in something. We shouldn’t rely on what other people tell us because these are merely unfounded rumors. To avoid being easily duped, we must discover the truth. and for us to quit being paralyzed by fear and worry.