PHOENIX - It's still over 100 degrees outside, but thanks to Starbucks, fall is in the air. The Seattle based coffee giant officially released it's Pumpkin Spice Latte earlier than ever before, Aug. 28.
Despite having no actual pumpkin, the drink has become synonymous with the changing season. Judging by the lines outside Starbucks on the day of it's release, one might think people are addicted to the seasonal drink. One might be right.
"Because it has a lot of sugar and our brain loves that," says dietitian Julie Simpson at Banner Children's in Mesa. Simpson says there are about 50 grams of sugar in a venti PSL. This enough to turn anybody into an addict, but throw caffeine in the mix, and it's no wonder why people are flocking to Starbucks day after day.
"Naturally we are going to crave those things and our brain wants more of those kinds of things," Simpson says. She also says PSLs are one of her favorite seasonal drinks, in moderation. "Every once and while in moderation, it can be a healthy thing in moderation," Simpson says.
So go ahead and call us basic, I literally can't even with your argument. A dietitian even says it's okay in moderation. So August or October, who cares? I'm here for this.