The latest addition to the myriad of pumpkin and fall-inspired drinks may do more harm than good.
Dunkin’ Donuts has released its new pumpkin spice menu items for the fall season. However, a recent video highlighted how one drink in particular could be a threat to consumers’ health.
The coffee and donut company announced the return of its pumpkin spice-themed menu items on August 16. Returning items include the Pumpkin Spice Signature Latte and Nutty Pumpkin Coffee. Consumers can also add Pumpkin Swirl flavoring — “Dunkin’s most sought-after flavor” — to any coffee beverage, hot or cold.
Jill McVicar Nelson, chief marketing officer at Dunkin’ Donuts, said that the flavor “embodies Dunkin’s vibrant spirit.”
“It’s truly amazing to see our fans light up for this cherished flavor,” said Nelson in the release. “Catching their excitement both on social media and in our restaurants underscores how much Dunkin’ and the fall season go hand in hand.”
Still, a TikTok user pointed out that one drink in the retuning lineup might be particularly unhealthy.
Bobby Parrish, posting under the username Flavcity, shared a video that discussed the Pumpkin Swirl flavored frozen coffee drink’s nutrition facts.
@flavcity ❌🎃Dunkin’ Pumpkin🎃❌ #dunkin #dunkindonuts #americarunsondunkin #eatthisnotthat #addedsugar #pumpkinspiceseason
Holding what appears to be a large version of the drink, Parrish pointed out that the beverage has 185 grams of sugar. He explained that the drink’s sugar content is equivalent to 46 teaspoons of sugar, the equivalent of more than a dozen glazed donuts.
“Who the f**k thought it was a good idea to put this on the menu,” said Parrish.
Added sugar is known to contribute to a number of health issues, two of the most significant being diabetes and obesity. Both conditions are already on the rise across the nation, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
The American Heart Association recommends that added sugars make up only 6% of one’s caloric intake, equating to about six teaspoons for women and about nine for men.
A large serving of such ultra-sweetened drinks would contain nearly eight times the recommended daily amount of sugar for women and just over five times the recommended amount for men. A small version of the drink would contain nearly four times the recommended amount for women and nearly three times the recommended amount for men.
Marcus Wentrcek, founder and CEO of Zero Sugar Brands, previously told The Dallas Express that added sugars were the reason he struggled with his weight issues and were a catalyst in his development of the world’s first sugar-free granola bar.
The CDC reported that one in 10 Americans has diabetes and that one in five does not even know it. In addition, the agency said that as of 2020, about 42% of Americans were obese.
In the TikTok video, Parrish pointed out that the drink contains no actual pumpkin and is filled with artificial ingredients and multiple forms of sugar, including high fructose corn syrup. The drink has 930 calories and 194 carbohydrates.
“If America runs on this, we’re f*****d,” said Parrish.
