Dunkin’ Drinks: Nutritionists Analyze Sugar Content and Health Impact

Key Points

• HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sparked debate by questioning the safety of high-sugar coffee drinks and urging chains like Dunkin’ to provide evidence that their drinks are safe.

• Some large Dunkin’ drinks pack up to 172 grams of sugar — far exceeding daily recommendations — with factors like skim milk boosting the total sugar due to lactose.

• Experts say sugary drinks are best as occasional treats, as regular consumption is linked to higher risks of Type 2 diabetes and heart disease, though small ordering tweaks can cut sugar.

Sugary beverages from Dunkin’ have recently captured public attention after Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. raised safety concerns regarding their sugar content. His statements ignited discussions among lawmakers in Massachusetts, the brand’s home state, prompting widespread debate about the health implications of high-sugar drinks.

At a rally in Texas in late February 2026, Kennedy challenged Dunkin’ and Starbucks to “Show us the safety data that shows that it’s OK for a teenage girl to drink an iced coffee with 115 grams of sugar in it.” He suggested the possibility of pulling certain ingredients should they not be proven safe.

In response, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey reacted on social media, sharing an image reminiscent of the 1835 “Come and Take It” flag from the Texas Revolution, swapping out the cannon for a Dunkin’ cup. Kennedy reiterated his position, tweeting, “No one is taking away your Dunkin’ — but isn’t it reasonable to ask whether a drink loaded with 180 grams of sugar is safe?”

The older version of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans for 2020–2025 stated that no amount of added sugars is considered part of a nutritious diet, suggesting a single meal should exceed no more than 10 grams of added sugar. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that added sugars should represent no more than 6% of daily calories, which translates to around six teaspoons per day for most women and nine for most men.

Despite these guidelines, the average American adult consumes approximately 17 teaspoons of added sugars daily, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Subsequent social media discourse has been rife with comments, ranging from support for Kennedy’s stance to inquiries about Dunkin’s sugar content. Below are key insights from nutrition experts on managing sugary drinks in a balanced diet.

Some Dunkin’ drinks have surprisingly high sugar levels

While no Dunkin’ beverage contains 180 grams of sugar, there are a few large-sized drinks that come close. It’s important to note that not all drinks are equally sugary. For instance, drinks made with skim milk often have higher sugar levels than those made with cream.

Related: Sugary Drinks Are Fueling a Global Epidemic of Chronic Illness, According to a New Study

“Skim milk contains around 12 grams of lactose per cup, while cream has very little,” explains Scott Keatley, RD, co-owner of Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy. “Thus, replacing cream with skim milk can increase the total sugar content because lactose counts as sugar.” Additionally, some recipes might call for a bit more sweetener when using lower-fat milk, Keatley adds.

Why sugary drinks are linked to chronic health issues

Numerous studies indicate that excessive added sugar can negatively impact health. Moreover, sugary beverages — which account for nearly 24% of our added sugar intake — may pose even greater risks to health.

For example, a 2025 study published in the journal Advances in Nutrition analyzed the health and sugar intake data of nearly half a million people worldwide. The findings revealed that those who frequently consumed high-sugar beverages were at a significantly increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes compared to those with lower sugar consumption. Notably, each 12-ounce serving of sugary drinks consumed daily raised the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 25%, while every daily 8-ounce serving of fruit juice corresponded with a 5% increased risk.

Additionally, another study published in Nature Medicine in 2025 found that around one in ten new cases of Type 2 diabetes and one in thirty newly diagnosed heart disease cases worldwide were connected to sugar-sweetened beverages.

“Sugar-sweetened beverages are indeed a top health concern,” says Christen Cooper, RDN, an associate professor of health at Pace University. “Unlike whole foods, which provide a mix of nutrients, sugary drinks primarily deliver empty calories consisting of pure sugar.”

Excessive consumption of sugary beverages can fatigue the pancreas, which is responsible for regulating blood sugar levels through insulin production. “When the pancreas becomes ‘burned out,’ it can cease insulin production, resulting in elevated blood sugar levels. This condition is known as Type 2 diabetes,” Cooper explains.

Related: Why Drinking Sugar May Be Far Worse Than Eating Dessert

Moreover, sugary beverages are tied to increased appetite, raising the likelihood of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic conditions linked to inflammation, according to Yujia Zhang, RDN, LDN, a nutritionist and pediatric dietitian at Tufts Medical Center.

Priya Fielding-Singh, Ph.D., director of Policy and Programs at the George Washington University Global Food Institute, concurs. “One of the clearest findings in nutrition research is the strong association between regular soda consumption and a higher risk of various chronic diseases.”

How often you drink sugary beverages makes a difference

Frequency of sugary beverage consumption is of significant concern, according to Keatley. “Even consuming a very sweet drink on occasion can spike blood glucose levels and force the body to produce a robust insulin response to restore balance,” he warns. “Most healthy individuals can manage this, but consistently overwhelming the system with excessive sugar is not beneficial, even occasionally.”

Zhang acknowledges that while even small amounts of these beverages aren’t ideal, most people can indulge occasionally.

Related: Teens Who Regularly Drink These Beverages Face a 34% Higher Risk of Anxiety