A new drink trend is bubbling up across social media, and health experts aren’t impressed.

Known as "heavy soda," the fountain option boosts syrup levels for an ultra-sweet taste designed to outlast melting ice. The drinks have been spotted at some gas stations in southern Missouri, with machines labeled "heavy" for popular sodas like Pepsi, Mountain Dew and Dr Pepper.

The sugary craze has sparked a wave of online chatter, with some calling it nostalgic and others calling it a dental nightmare.

What is heavy soda?

The backstory:

The idea is simple: increase the syrup-to-carbonated water ratio, so the drink stays sweet even after the ice melts. Some online commenters compared it to the famously stronger flavor of McDonald’s Coke, which is mixed with extra syrup for consistency.

Unlike

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