The growing popularity of so-called “dirty sodas” is raising alarms among health experts who say the viral drink trend may come with serious health risks.

A dirty soda is a soft drink blended with syrups, creamers, fruit juices, and sweet garnishes, creating a beverage that sits somewhere between a soda, mocktail, and dessert.

Registered dietitian Erin Palinski-Wade said the calorie and sugar levels in these drinks far exceed healthy limits. A single dirty soda can contain between 250 and 400 calories and as much as 70 grams of sugar, more than double the American Heart Association’s daily guideline for added sugar.

“It’s more like a dessert beverage than a soft drink, even if people use diet soda as the base,” she said.

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Palinski-Wade warned that the drinks are particularly concerning for people with insulin resistance, prediabetes, or diabetes because of the sugar and fat content.

“The combination of rapidly absorbed sugar plus cream can cause sharp blood sugar spikes and crashes, driving hunger, fatigue and higher insulin demands,” she said.

Dirty sodas reportedly originated in Utah at a shop called Swig in 2010 and gained traction among members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who often avoid coffee and alcohol. The trend spread nationwide after gaining attention on social media and television shows such as “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.”

Residents in Utah now describe dirty soda shops as common fixtures in their neighborhoods. One Reddit user wrote, “I have many coworkers who stop at one daily on their way to work because they don’t drink coffee, but will drink dirty sodas.”

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The drinks have since gone mainstream. Coca-Cola introduced its Cherry Float flavor to replicate the soda-and-cream taste, and PepsiCo has its Dirty Mountain Dew Cream Soda. Major chains including McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Sonic, and Dunkin have also added versions to their menus.

Dessert chain Crumbl recently joined the trend with what may be the most indulgent dirty soda yet. Dr. Mark Hyman criticized the product for packing “186 grams of sugar, the equivalent of eating 19 Krispy Kreme donuts.” He called it “a metabolic disaster” and added that it “should be illegal.”

Dr. Marc Siegel agreed that dirty sodas are “very unhealthy.” He said they are loaded with processed sugar, empty calories, and saturated fats. He added that the drinks are “highly addictive, especially because of the high sugar content,” and typically deliver about 400 calories per serving.

According to Siegel, repeated consumption of such beverages can lead the brain to crave frequent sugar-driven dopamine and endorphin releases, creating a cycle that increases the risk of chronic illness including diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and dementia.

Registered dietitian Tanya Freirich echoed those concerns. She said added sugars are strongly linked to obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. The creamy mix-ins, she noted, also contribute saturated fat, a nutrient that should be limited.

Dr. Kenneth J. Perry, an emergency physician in Charleston, South Carolina, said dirty sodas represent just the latest wave in the trend of highly sugary, low-nutrition drinks.

“Their effects are short-lived, prompting individuals to consume excessive amounts,” he said. “This combination of low nutritional value, high sugar content and poor satiety can have significant health implications.”

Perry added that each additional sugary beverage consumed daily increases the risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease. The World Health Organization advises that free sugars make up less than 10 percent of total daily calories, he noted.

Palinski-Wade advised that those who try dirty sodas should do so sparingly. She recommended smaller sizes, using diet soda as a base, and treating it as an occasional indulgence.

“It really belongs in the same category as a cake or a milkshake—occasionally, and in smaller portions,” she said.