Dunkin’ is a multi-million-dollar company that makes its money by offering people a reliable stop for all their breakfast or pick-me-up needs. The company profits by filling people’s stomachs with coffee, specialty drinks, and a variety of breakfast foods. However, most customers don’t pay much attention to the nutritional value of the items they grab on their way to work, school, or other activities.

According to the American Heart Association, women should consume less than 25 grams of sugar per day, while men should have less than 36 grams. Unfortunately, many Dunkin’ drinks exceed these recommendations—some beverages even double or triple those amounts. (Source: “Every Dunkin’ Drink—Ranked by Sugar Content,” Eat This, Not That!)

This issue was explored further in episode 3 of Bear Den News, where students went around asking their peers about their favorite Dunkin’ orders and how often they indulge. In the segment “America Runs on Dunkin’,” reporter Katie Rank found that the popular medium Refreshers, which many students carry around daily, contains about 56 grams of sugar if ordered without any customizations—far above the recommended daily sugar limit for both men and women.

Katie also discovered that flavor add-ins, like caramel swirl, contain about 12 grams of sugar per pump. With a typical medium coffee including four pumps, that adds up to roughly 48 grams of sugar in just one drink. Other popular beverages, such as Dunkin’s frozen coffee drinks and flavored lattes, can contain even higher sugar levels, especially when combined with whipped cream or other toppings.

Many students admitted that they don’t pay much attention to these numbers. “I just grab my usual Dunkin order in the morning and don’t think about how much sugar is in it,” said one student interviewed for the segment. The study highlighted how easy it is for daily Dunkin’ customers to unknowingly consume more sugar than health experts recommend, which could contribute to long-term health issues like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease if done regularly.

While Dunkin’ offers a variety of menu items, there are also ways for students to make healthier choices. Customizing drinks with fewer pumps of syrup, opting for smaller sizes, or choosing unsweetened coffee options can help reduce sugar intake without giving up the morning ritual.

This project and news segment gave students a better understanding of how everyday choices can impact their health and emphasized the importance of paying attention to nutrition, even at popular and convenient stops like Dunkin’.