‘Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ Dirty Sodas — Harmless Or Hazard?

Hulu reality series “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” shines a light on the popular soda consumption habit among Mormons — but experts say it’s just another dangerous vice.

If you’ve watched Hulu’s new reality series about a group of Mormon influencers living in Utah, you’ve likely learned a thing or two about the rules imposed on members of the church, including restrictions against consuming coffee and alcohol.

In addition to explaining these strict regulations, the series also highlights what many Mormons choose to consume instead of these forbidden beverages: dirty sodas.

In Utah, where about 68.55% of the population identifies as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (or LDS), soda shops are as plentiful as Starbucks locations. These establishments offer regular sodas such as Coke and Dr. Pepper, but patrons can customize their orders by adding syrups and creams to their beverages — turning them into so-called dirty sodas.

“Six out of the seven days of the week, I’m having at least one 44-ounce soda,” says Layla Taylor, one of the stars of the series, during Episode 5. “I’m probably only going to live to like 50, but it makes me happy.”

Health risks of dirty sodas

While dirty sodas may not fall under the LDS church’s category of banned beverages, that doesn’t make them harmless. In fact, experts say they’re quite the opposite.

“I used to tell my patients that soda is liquid satan and to stay far, far away from it,” Danielle Kelvas, M.D., a primary care physician with The HCG Institute, tells Healthnews.

According to Kelvas, there is no healthy or safe amount of soda.

That’s because sodas contain enormous amounts of sugar, caffeine, artificial sweeteners, and fake dyes, she says.

“Even if it's diet soda, the stomach and brain believe it's about to process calories, and release digestive enzymes to receive it,” Kelvas says. “This really messes with your hunger cues and contributes to insulin resistance.”

In fact, one study found that if you have diabetes and you drink just one soda per day, you're five times more likely to develop kidney failure.

Soda also causes cavities, Kelvas adds.

And if the soda isn’t diet or sugar-free, individuals may be consuming over 100 grams of sugar in a single day through soda, according to Kyle Crowley, MSc, a nutritionist with Protein Works. This is well over the recommended daily intake, which is around 25 grams for women and 37.5 grams for men.

“An intake of four times more than that is bound to have consequences,” Crowley says.

These consequences include weight gain, an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance, and causing harm to gut health.

“Sodas, particularly those with a large amount of artificial sweeteners, creams and syrups, can alter the balance of your gut microbiome,” he says. “This can lead to digestive discomfort, bloating, and long-term issues with nutrient absorption.”

Chronic soda consumption can also lead to long-term health implications, he says, including metabolic syndrome — a cluster of conditions including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and abnormal cholesterol levels. Over time, these conditions can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

Dirty soda vs. coffee and alcohol

Many Mormons consume an excessive amount of soda because they’re not allowed to drink coffee or alcohol, so how do carbonated beverages actually compare to these prohibited substances?

While coffee does contain caffeine, Crowley says it also has potential health benefits when consumed in moderation, unlike soda. This includes improved cognitive function and antioxidant consumption. Antioxidants may help reduce inflammation and lower the risk of certain chronic diseases, he explains.

“However, coffee can become unhealthy when loaded with sugars or creams, similar to the syrups added to sodas,” Crowley says.

Alcohol, on the other hand, is even more damaging in large amounts than soda, Crowley says. While some research has suggested that alcohol in moderation can offer some health benefits, such as heart health benefits from red wine, other studies have shown that even small amounts can increase the risk of cancer. Alcohol has also been linked to a higher risk of over 200 different health conditions.

Alcohol is also physically addictive, Crowley says, and can lead to serious mental health issues.

“At the core of the principle, LDS teaches to avoid addictions and to eat in a way that honors the body,” Kelvas says. “While they may be avoiding alcohol — which is admirable — switching alcohol for another addictive substance is not.”