TikTok users are drinking a new type of bubbly: Dirty Soda, a mixed drink that combines your favorite soft drink with additions like cream or coffee creamer and syrup and flavored sweeteners.
Popular combinations to hit social media include combos like Dr. Pepper with coconut creamer and lime as well as Diet Coke with protein milk.
Dirty soda started bubbling up a few years ago but recently gained national attention reality series “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” featuring Utah-based dirty soda shop “Swig.” Now, mixing drinks has become a social media obsession, with people trying out different combinations and sharing recipes online.
Not only is the craze making people thirsty online, other dirty soda spots have popped up in Oklahoma, Texas and Arizona.
According to Yelp, users have increased searches for “dirty soda” by 40% and “Swig” by 222% compared to September 2023.
As the latest drink craze to hit social media, join the likes prebiotic sodaat cortisol cocktail and oatmealwe asked nutritionists what they thought of the combo.
“There’s nothing wrong with dirty soda – it’s just a sweet drink with added sweetener and creamer. The amount of sugar you get from one really depends on whether you’re using diet or regular soda, and sugar-free or regular syrup. or creamer,” says Christine Byrne, dietician and owner of Ruby Oak Nutrition.
Liz Weinandy, a registered dietitian at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, said that there is no need to destroy this drink, but added that consumers should remember that calories can be high without health benefits.
“Dirty soda should be considered an occasional treat, the same as cake, soda, sugary coffee drinks and other high-calorie, low-nutrient foods or drinks,” he said.
What about the protein version? Mixing soda with protein milk or shakes doesn’t add any extra nutrients to the latter, but it’s not harmful, Byrne says, unless you look at the whole food.
“When you replace real food with dirty protein soda, that’s a problem because you’re not getting enough calories or nutrients,” he said.
Weinandy agrees that making dirty soda with milk offers several benefits, as it is a source of protein, calcium and other vitamins and minerals.
“Is it better to drink a glass of milk without pop, syrup and artificial coloring? The answer is yes!” she said.
Trendy mocktails are also in line with it increased interest at non-alcoholic beverages as we learn more about it health risks from consuming alcoholic beverages.
Yelp data shows searches for “non-alcoholic beverages” are up 64% and “mocktails” are up 21% compared to last year.
But, are sodas spiked with sugary syrup a healthy alternative to drinks spiked with alcohol?
Weinandy said he would put both in the “cautionary” category.
“Dirty soda is very high in calories sugar and possibly saturated fat if the drink contains cream. We know that eating foods high in sugar and saturated fat is associated with a increased risk for many health conditions like obesity, heart disease, diabetes and some types of cancer,” he said. “Alcohol also doesn’t have a good track record. In fact, in light of the strong evidence coming out about the health risks of alcohol, both drinks should be considered ‘occasional drinks’ and perhaps not consumed at all if people have certain health conditions.
Carbonated soft drinks recently made the list ultra-processed foods It is linked to more than 30 health problems, from diabetes to heart problems to cancer. The diet version of the drink also comes into question as sugar substitute has been shown in new studies to be associated with potential negative health impact.
