Is This Really North Dakota’s Favorite Pop? Residents May Debate It

When it comes to pop, everyone seems to have their favorite. And before we go any further, yes, we know some people call it soda. That's a debate that could probably fill an entire article by itself.

For me, you can't go wrong with a cold Coca-Cola. These days, Coke is my go-to choice. Years ago, however, I was firmly on Team Mountain Dew. I still enjoy a Dew now and then, but if I'm reaching into the fridge today, chances are I'm grabbing a Coke.

That got me wondering: what are other people drinking in North Dakota, and around the region?

The folks at World Population Review recently put together a list showing the most popular soft drink brands by state, and the results were pretty interesting.

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MTN Dew

MTN Dew

The Upper Midwest Has a Clear Pop Preference

If you're heading south, you'll find that South Dakota residents prefer Mountain Dew. Travel west into Montana, and Pepsi takes the crown. Cross over to Minnesota, and Mountain Dew is once again the favorite choice. As for North Dakota? Apparently, we're also flying the Mountain Dew flag.

Read More: North Dakota’s Green Thumb Score Is In—And It’s Not What You’d Expect

Montana Stands Strong For The Cola

Head west, and our friends in Montana prefer Pepsi!

That means if you're a Coke fan like me, you're outnumbered in much of the Upper Midwest.

Mountain Dew's popularity shouldn't come as much of a surprise. It's been a longtime favorite among many North Dakotans, whether it's fueling early mornings, road trips, hunting weekends, or long days at work.

World Population Review also reports that the average American drinks about 39.6 gallons of soda each year. That's roughly 480 cans annually—or more than one can every single day.

While that number sounds impressive, soda consumption has actually declined by about 30 percent over the past five years. Increased awareness of health concerns such as diabetes and obesity has encouraged many people to cut back on sugary beverages.

Still, despite the decline, Americans haven't completely given up their fizzy favorites. Whether you're loyal to Coke, Mountain Dew, Pepsi, Dr Pepper, or something else entirely, there's just something about a cold carbonated drink that hits the spot on a hot summer day.

Now comes the important question: Does North Dakota really have Mountain Dew ranked correctly as number one, or is your favorite being overlooked? That's a debate worth having.