The Mug Root Beer brand is well-known for its delicious taste and fizzy flavor. It's the kind of drink that makes you smile, but does it have any health benefits?
You might think that this root beer doesn't do much more than add some sweetness to your daily routine. However, you'd be wrong. There are many reasons why this beverage could be good for you and some reasons why it might not be as healthy as you'd like.
What is Mug Root Beer?
Mug Root Beer is a carbonated soft drink that contains caffeine, sugar and artificial flavorings. It's sweetened with high fructose corn syrup, which is added at a rate of approximately 13 grams per 12 fluid ounces of beverage.
Nutrition facts of Mug Root Beer
![Sugar content is high in Mug Root Beer. (Image via Pexels/Engin Akyrut)](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/04/8c8f2-16819855736269-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/04/8c8f2-16819855736269-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/04/8c8f2-16819855736269-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/04/8c8f2-16819855736269-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/04/8c8f2-16819855736269-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/04/8c8f2-16819855736269-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/04/8c8f2-16819855736269-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/04/8c8f2-16819855736269-1920.jpg 1920w)
A 12-ounce can of Mug Root Beer contains the following nutrients:
- Calories: 160
- Total Fat: 0 gram
- Sodium: 55 mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 44 grams
- Sugars: 44 grams
- Protein: 0 gram
It's high in sugar, with 44 grams of it in a 12-ounce can. That's equivalent to 11 teaspoons of sugar, which is much higher than the daily recommended intake for adults. However, the drink is fat-free and low in sodium, which makes it a good choice for people watching their sodium intake.
Health benefits
![It's a carbonated drink that contains caffeine. (Image via Pexels/Engin Akyrut)](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/04/e61cd-16819856199129-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/04/e61cd-16819856199129-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/04/e61cd-16819856199129-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/04/e61cd-16819856199129-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/04/e61cd-16819856199129-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/04/e61cd-16819856199129-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/04/e61cd-16819856199129-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/04/e61cd-16819856199129-1920.jpg 1920w)
Mug Root Beer contains caffeine and is a carbonated beverage. It's also sweetened and low in calories, making it a popular choice for those looking to lose weight or want to avoid consuming too many calories.
It's made with natural flavors, caramel color and other ingredients that give its unique taste. The caramel color comes from an enzyme produced by some species of fungi that breaks down sucrose into glucose and fructose molecules.
These molecules react with ammonia to form melanoidins - pigments responsible for the rich brownish-red color characteristic of root beers like Mug.
Potential risks
![Might cause more health risks for those with diabetes and obesity. (Image via Pexels/Anete Lusina)](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/04/cd7b5-16819856800818-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/04/cd7b5-16819856800818-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/04/cd7b5-16819856800818-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/04/cd7b5-16819856800818-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/04/cd7b5-16819856800818-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/04/cd7b5-16819856800818-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/04/cd7b5-16819856800818-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/04/cd7b5-16819856800818-1920.jpg 1920w)
While it contains some potentially beneficial ingredients, there are also some health risks associated with consuming it:
- High Sugar Content: It's high in sugar, which can contribute to obesity, type 2 diabetes and other health problems. Drinking too much sugary soda can also lead to tooth decay and other dental problems.
- Caffeine Sensitivity: Some people are sensitive to caffeine and may experience side effects like insomnia, anxiety and heart palpitations when they consume too much caffeine.
- Acidic pH: Like other soft drinks, it has an acidic pH, which can erode tooth enamel and lead to tooth decay over time.
Mug Root Beer has pros and cons
![Look for a healthier version of this drink at a local store. (Image via Pexels/Pham Chung)](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/04/23a83-16819857336965-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/04/23a83-16819857336965-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/04/23a83-16819857336965-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/04/23a83-16819857336965-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/04/23a83-16819857336965-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/04/23a83-16819857336965-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/04/23a83-16819857336965-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/04/23a83-16819857336965-1920.jpg 1920w)
If you want to try this beverage but are concerned about the sugar content or other ingredients, here are some things you can do:
- Look for a healthier version that uses stevia instead of cane sugar as a sweetener. That will reduce the amount of calories in each bottle (and keep it vegan).
- Ask your local store if they carry any other brands of root beer that have fewer calories than this beverage or even none at all.
- You can also brew your own using natural ingredients like vanilla extract and cinnamon sticks,
Mug Root Beer is a tasty carbonated soft drink that's high in sugar but low in fat and sodium.
While it contains a few potentially beneficial ingredients, like sarsaparilla root and caffeine, it also has some potential health risks, like its high sugar content and acidic pH.
As with any food or drink, it's important to consume this drink in moderation as part of a balanced diet to minimize any potential negative health effects.