Here’s the reason why I’m asking the question:
I’m making a video of someone, which will be a parody of “VH1 Behind the Music”.
Often in these shows there is a middle segment where the artist plunges into the abyss, usually into drugs or some other self-destructive behavior. The subject of my video used to drink lots of Mountain Dew, so as a parody this segment will illustrate their “addiction” to the pop. I have video of her taking about how much Dew she used to drink, and then I plan to cut to “interviews” of various experts. For example, I know a dentist, and will ask him to expain in clinical language what will happen to the teeth. I know a school psychologist who will discuss the educational problems of a student who is on speed. I know a counselor who works in a prison, and will have them discuss how addiction can lead to criminal behavior. (Really, this video will have a humorous ambience to it).
So for this project I want to hear more expert opinions on the consequences of drinking too much Dew. For example, how would drinking a lot of pop affect the kidneys? Can any chemists discuss dangers with any of the dyes? Can any oncologists discuss cancer risks with any of the ingredients? Can a police officer discuss people who have been picked up on uppers? Can a lot of pop lead to diabetes? How would it affect sleep patterns? Would it affect your performance at driving a car or flying an airplane?
One explanation that I’ve heard for the Canadian regs is so that moms can find caffeine-free soft drinks in the supermarket easily. If it’s not brown, you know that you aren’t pumping up the little tykes with that particular stimulant. Otherwise, you probably are. (I’m not sure how root beer fits into the theory. )
I remember being very surprised when I first heard of the mountain dew/caffeine connection because I’d been drinking plenty of the stuff for a while and never noticed getting a buzz from it or anything. Then I heard that it wasn’t so here in canada.
(Since then I’ve gone off carbonated drinks entirely.)
:eek: That’s frickin’ bizarre! My opinion of Canada has gone way down, and I’ve lost any desire I might have had to go there. I don’t like cola or any of the other brown soft drinks, but I gots to have my caffeine.
Geez. Mountain Dew without caffeine is like… well, like coffee without caffeine. Or beer without alcohol. Or porn without sex scenes. Or Disneyland without rides. Or… okay, I’ll stop.
Oh, and in answer to the OP: I’m thinking of Beavis as Cornholio…