Sugar Free Gum | Diabetes Forum The Global Diabetes Community
Diabetes Forum The Global Diabetes Community Find support, ask questions and share your experiences. Join the community I'm sure it is, I certainly hope it is as I've been chewing on it for the past 20 yrs! I'm sure it's ok but like everything sugar free be a bit careful as it can cause tummy upsets. Sent from my KFTT using DCUK Forum mobile app IIRC Berstein rules out sugar free chewing gum because of the sorbitol. Are there any alternatives? I make a quite a lot of stir-fry with garlic, chilli etc - you can see where I'm going with this... sugar-free gum is ok, but you need to remember 2 things. 1] Sorbitol a common sweetener in gum can cause diarrhoea if taken in excess and 2] chewing gum can make your digestive system expect food and that can cause digestive upsets too. This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is perhaps the end of the beginning. Are you sure it's ok, because on the packet it says it has high polyols (a carbohydrate), whatever they are, so does that not make your sugar levels go high? I'm sure it's ok but like everything sugar free be a bit careful as it can cause tummy upsets. I only chew Marks and Spencer's gum as its also Aspartame free, as well as sugar. In fact, its the only (sugar free) gum I know thats Aspartame free. I heard that cinnamon was helpful to diabetics and whilst in Europe obtained Wriggleys sugar free cinnamon gum because I like the taste (remember Dentyne Gum) I don't know if it does anything in gum form but Wriggleys do not sell it in the UK any comments? They contain Xylitol which is 100% natural. The flavour doesn't seem to last very long, haven't seen an effect on blood sugar so far but it's early days. Among the ingredients in sugar-free gum is Xylitol ('zi-le-tol). It is a natural sweetener fou Continue reading >>
Can I Eat As Many Sugar-free Foods As I Want?
You might be surprised to learn that "sugar-free" does not necessarily mean carbohydrate-free or calorie-free. Although some sugar substitutes do not add calories or carbohydrate, many do. And it is the carbohydrate that has the greatest effect on blood glucose. People with diabetes do not manage their condition by cutting "sugary" foods out of their diet. If you have diabetes, you can eat sugar-containing foods as part of your overall meal plan, as long as you account for the carbohydrate and calories in the food as part of your overall meal plan. Similarly, if you eat lots of so-called "sugar-free" foods, they may have replaced sucrose (sugar) with sweet tasting substances like sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, isomalt, and hydrogenated starch hydrolysates. These are all "sugar alcohols," which are technically not "sugar" but are high in carbohydrate. Others may be sweetened with fructose, polydextrose, and maltodextrin, which also contain calories and carbohydrate. These foods will affect your blood glucose just as a sugar-containing food would, in proportion to the grams of carbohydrate in each serving of the food. In addition, foods containing these sugar alcohols can cause stomach discomfort and diarrhea if eaten in large quantities. Other foods may be sweetened with aspartame or other non-caloric sweeteners like saccharin, acesulfame potassium, or sucralose. These sweeteners contain no carbohydrate. But again, you need to check the food label to see how many grams of carbohydrate are in each serving, because "sugar-free" does not mean "carbohydrate-free." Some of the foods sweetened with non-caloric sweeteners (like aspartame-sweetened sodas) may indeed have no carbohydrate, and will have no effect on your blood glucose. Others, like an aspartame-sweetened yogurt, sti Continue reading >>
Sugar Free Gum Insulin Spikes?
You'll hear some preach yes and some no. I've read enough to believe it does somewhat so I'm not having any during my contest prep at the moment. Plus aspartame does worse than spike insulin IMO. Try Dentyne Fire, the only gum I can find without sugar or aspartame/splenda, it has a little bit of sugar alcohols though. Continue reading >>
Can Diabetics Eat Sugar Alcohol?
Cutting back on sugar doesn't have to mean going without sweets. A new brand of naturally-sourced sweeteners is popping up in foods that can soothe your sweet tooth without causing surges to your blood sugar. These misleadingly named "sugar alcohols" are relatively safe for everyone, including diabetics; however, they are not risk-free. If you have diabetes, you need to monitor your sugar alcohol intake, and consume them in moderation. Video of the Day Despite their name, sugar alcohols contain neither sucrose nor ethanol, which are commonly referred to as sugar and alcohol. Sugar alcohols occur naturally in foods such as fruits and berries, and are often added to processed foods as sugar substitutes. Sugar alcohols add sweetness, bulk and texture to foods. They also help food stay moist and add a cooling sensation. They're found in a wide variety of products, from chewing gum to candy, baked desserts, energy bars and chocolate. Sugar Alcohols Vs. Artificial Sweeteners Artificial sweeteners such as saccharin, or Sweet N Low, and aspartame, or NutraSweet, which are often used as tabletop sugar substitutes, have zero calories and no carbohydrates. Sugar alcohols, on the other hand, contain about 2.6 calories per gram and a small amount of carbs. Both are considered generally safe for use by diabetics, but the American Diabetes Association says sugar alcohols should not be eaten in excess. Even for people without diabetes, sugar alcohols can cause bloating, gas and a laxative effect that might cause loose stools and diarrhea. The FDA regulates both artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols, and has approved several as safe for consumption. If you are watching your carb intake as part of your diabetes management regimen, it's important to understand sugar alcohols' effects o Continue reading >>
Could Artificial Sweeteners Raise Your Blood Sugar?
Sept. 17, 2014 -- If you’re one of the millions of Americans for whom diet sodas and artificially sweetened desserts play leading roles in efforts to shed pounds and help prevent long-term diseases like diabetes, new research might give you pause. The work, done with mice and humans, suggests that artificial sweeteners could raise your blood sugar levels more than if you indulged in sugar-sweetened sodas and desserts. Blame it on the bugs in your gut, scientists say. They found that saccharin (a.k.a. Sweet‘N Low), sucralose (a.k.a. Splenda) and aspartame (a.k.a. NutraSweet and Equal) raised blood sugar levels by dramatically changing the makeup of the gut microorganisms, mainly bacteria, that are in the intestines and help with nutrition and the immune system. There are trillions of them -- many times more than the cells of the body -- and they account for roughly 4 pounds of your body weight. Scientists in recent years have focused more and more on the link between the gut microorganisms and health. In the latest research, “what we are seeing in humans and also in mice is this previously unappreciated correlation between artificial sweetener use” and microorganisms in the gut, said Eran Elinav, MD, one of the scientists involved in the new study. Elinav and a collaborator, Eran Segal, PhD, spoke at a press conference held by Nature, the journal that published their team’s findings. Both of the scientists are on the faculty of the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel. “Initially, we were surprised by the results, which is why we also repeated them multiple times,” Segal said. Industry groups said the small number of mice and people studied make the findings hard to apply to larger populations. But one scientist not involved in the research called the sm Continue reading >>
How Artificial Sweeteners Affect Blood Sugar And Insulin
Sugar is a hot topic in nutrition. Cutting back can improve your health and help you lose weight. Replacing sugar with artificial sweeteners is one way to do that. However, some people claim that artificial sweeteners aren't as "metabolically inert" as previously thought. For example, it's been claimed that they can raise blood sugar and insulin levels. This article takes a look at the science behind these claims. Artificial sweeteners are synthetic chemicals that stimulate the sweet taste receptors on the tongue. They are often called low-calorie or non-nutritive sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners give things a sweet taste, without any added calories (1). Therefore, they're often added to foods that are then marketed as "health foods" or diet products. They're found everywhere, from diet soft drinks and desserts, to microwave meals and cakes. You'll even find them in non-food items, such as chewing gum and toothpaste. Here's a list of the most common artificial sweeteners: Artificial sweeteners are synthetic chemicals that make things taste sweet without any extra calories. We have tightly controlled mechanisms to keep our blood sugar levels stable (2, 3, 4). Blood sugar levels increase when we eat foods containing carbohydrates. Potatoes, bread, pasta, cakes and sweets are some foods that are high in carbohydrates. When digested, carbohydrates are broken down into sugar and absorbed into the bloodstream, leading to an increase in blood sugar levels. When our blood sugar levels rise, our body releases insulin. Insulin is a hormone that acts like a key. It allows blood sugar to leave the blood and enter our cells, where it can be used for energy or stored as fat. If blood sugar levels drop too low, our livers release stored sugar to stabilize it. This happens when we fas Continue reading >>
Chew On This: Gum And Diabetes
Jewels Doskicz is a registered nurse, freelance writer, patient advocate, health coach, and long-distance cyclist. Jewels is the moderator of Diabetic Connect’s weekly #DCDE Twitter chat, and she and her daughter both live healthfully with type 1 diabetes. Diet purists may shudder at the thought of artificial sweeteners in just about anything, while people living with diabetes are realists, looking for culinary enjoyments while minimizing blood sugar swings. It’s true that gum isn’t a “food”—but can it impact our eating habits and dental health? There may be an uptick in gum chewers with dentists recommending the practice as a preventive aid against dental decay and gum disease, but it comes with a catch—there’s more to selecting a pack of chewing gum than choosing the most appealing flavor. Let’s break it down into some basic questions you may have. Does chewing gum affect my blood sugars? The short answer—it depends on your choice. Most sugared chewing gums fall into the category of six grams of carbohydrates per piece; when choosing these types of gums, the dental benefits are nearly absent and the likely outcome is increasing blood sugar values. Take a look at what you’re chewing on. An ingredient list and nutritional labeling can be found on every pack of gum, much like this one from Wrigley's Hubba Bubba Bubble Gum. Are there detriments to chewing gum? Dental health isn’t overrated; regular visits to a dentist for check-ups, cleanings, and regular maintenance are vital parts of your wellness routine. Dental decay and oral infections can sound an alarm with diabetes, often resulting in chronic high blood sugars. A healthy smile is a quick snapshot of overall well-being. Some people avoid gum chewing like the plague, and I’m actually not a Continue reading >>
5 Sugar Substitutes For Type 2 Diabetes
1 / 6 A Small Amount of Real Sugar Is Best, but Sugar Substitutes Can Help If you think that people with diabetes should always avoid sugar, think again — they can enjoy the sweet stuff, in moderation. "The best bet is to use a very minimal amount of real sugar as part of a balanced diabetic diet," says Keri Glassman, MS, RD, CDN, of Nutritious Life, a nutrition practice based in New York City. That being said, sugar substitutes offer sweetness while controlling carbohydrate intake and blood glucose. There are many sugar substitutes to choose from, but they’re not all calorie-free and they vary in terms of their impact on blood sugar. "The major difference between the sugar substitutes is whether they are nutritive or non-nutritive sweeteners," says Melissa Mullins, MS, RD, a certified diabetes educator with Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon, Va. "Non-nutritive sweeteners provide no calories and no changes in blood glucose levels, which is perfect for people with diabetes.” Here are six sweet options to consider. Continue reading >>
Keeping Your Mouth Squeaky Clean
New Products That Can Help Periodontal (gum) disease has been called the sixth complication of diabetes (in addition to eye, kidney, nerve, foot, and cardiovascular complications) because so many people with diabetes have it. Having high blood glucose raises the risk of developing periodontal disease, and periodontal disease tends to raise blood glucose levels. So clearly, making an effort to brush, floss, and have regular dental checkups is important when you have diabetes. However, sometimes these efforts just don’t seem to be enough, and a little more help is needed. This is particularly true when a person has dry mouth, or a lower-than-normal amount of saliva. Normally, saliva protects the teeth and gums by diluting the acids that are excreted by bacteria in the mouth and that are also present in foods and beverages. Saliva additionally contains minerals such as calcium, phosphate, and fluoride that are necessary for rebuilding the teeth and keeping the enamel strong. It also helps you chew and swallow food. When there is not enough saliva to perform these functions, a person’s risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and other mouth infections rises. There are many causes of dry mouth — some avoidable, and some not. Dry mouth is a common side effect of many prescription and nonprescription drugs. It is a symptom or side effect of numerous medical conditions, including diabetes. It can be a side effect of some medical treatments, such as radiation for cancer treatment. It can also be caused by dehydration, smoking or chewing tobacco, or prolonged breathing through your mouth. While many people are well aware that they have dry mouth, not everyone who has it notices it. However, if you cannot eat a cracker without drinking water, or if your dentist or dental hygienist Continue reading >>
Confused About Sugar Alcohols? What Every Diabetic Should Know
Confused about sugar alcohols? Many people with diabetes hear that sugar alcohols are not sugar, they don't raise your blood sugar, and you can subtract them from your carbohydrate count. What is the real scoop on sugar alcohols? In the past, diabetics were told they should not have any sugar whatsoever in their diet. Today, diabetics can have "certain" sugars in their diet and still meet the goals they set for themselves or by their health care professionals. One of the more confusing topics you'll run across is sugar alcohols and how it relates to Type 2 diabetes. What Are Sugar Alcohols - Sugar alcohols are Not Created Equal Sugar alcohols are a kind of reduced-calorie food sweetener often seen in sugar free or no sugar added food content; they are actually carbohydrates. The intention of these sweeteners is to prevent rapid rise of diabetics' blood sugar to dangerous levels, which will generally happen with regular sugar. You can find sugar alcohols in all kinds of products like sugar free candy, cookies, ice cream, fruit spreads, gums, etc. You can also find sugar alcohols in medicines and dental cleaning products like toothpaste and mouthwash. This type of carbohydrate energy ranging from 0.2 to 3 calories per gram compared to 4 grams per calorie of regular sugar and many carbohydrates. Sugar alcohols do not contain ethanol, which is used in alcoholic drinks so you won't get drunk from it. Make sure to look for products that contain the following sugar alcohols (carbohydrates). Below, we have listed some of the more popular sugar alcohols with the calories they deliver and their Glycemic Index. Note: in the United States 1 Calorie = 1 kilocalorie in the metric system Glycemic Index (GI) High Intermediate Low Very Low GI Values Greater than 70 55 to 70 40 to 54 Les Continue reading >>
Myths And Truths About Xylitol And Diabetes
Odds are you’ve heard of xylitol. Most commonly touted for it’s benefits in dental health, xylitol is also purported to be a sugar substitute, providing all the sweet taste of sugar without the negative side effects. While some of this is true, there are some important facts you’ll want to consider about xylitol and diabetes before you go out and buy some. What is Xylitol? Xylitol is called a sugar alcohol. And while it is neither ‘sugar' nor ‘alcohol' in the way we commonly refer to those substances, it is categorized as a sugar alcohol due to its unique chemical structure, which stimulates sweet taste bud receptors on the tongue. Xylitol is naturally found in trace amounts in fruits and vegetables. But it is more commonly found as a manufactured ingredient (extracted from corncobs or trees mainly produced in China) in sugar free mints, gum and ‘diabetic desserts.’ Xylitol has an appearance similar to granulated sugar and tastes similarly sweet. Xylitol Nutrition Facts Xylitol is a pure sweetener, though lower in calories (40% fewer than sugar) and lower in carbohydrates (75% less than sugar) than many other sweeteners. Xylitol doesn’t contain any protein, fat, vitamins or minerals. However, because it does not have the same type of impact on glucose levels as sugar does, xylitol can be a better alternative sweetener option for diabetics. It has a low glycemic index (GI) of 7 compared with sugar’s GI of 84. Xylitol Food Comparisons Xylitol contains 2.4 calories per gram. By way of comparison, table sugar is 4 calories per gram. Note that all caloric sweeteners will similarly provide about 4 calories per gram including brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, molasses and so forth. So, while xylitol is lower in calories than pure sugar, it is not considered a Continue reading >>
How Does Chewing Gum Affect Your Blood Sugar?
Chewing a gum has been shown to benefit those with diabetes. This is because it helps to keep our mouth busy and thus, satiates hunger. According to the journal Appetite, a study conducted in 2011 found that participants who chewed gum in between meals for 45 minutes and above were less hungry and showed less cravings for snacks as compared to participants who did not chew gum. Psychologically, chewing a gum causes one to crave less food therefore it is beneficial for people with diabetes who are trying to lose weight. However, before you get into the habit of chewing gums, there are several important things that you need to know. Does Chewing A Gum Affect Your Blood Sugar Level? So does chewing a gum regularly affects your level of blood sugar? The answer will mainly depend on the type of gum you chew. Most chewing gums are loaded with sugars and may have lots of carbohydrates in them. When you chew on these types of gums, the possible outcome will be an increase in your blood sugar. Therefore, make sure that you go for sugar-free gums. Keep in mind to do it in moderation since it may contain lots of unhealthy artificial sweeteners. This could wreak havoc to your digestive system, and eventually to your overall health. Chewing Gum Burns You Calories Yes, surprisingly, chewing gum can actually burn you calories! According to a study held by Mayo Clinic, you can burn 11 calories for every hour of chewing gum. The study suggest that chewing non-caloric gum in the day through the time that you are awake could help you shed up to 11 pounds a year. However, such results are only possible with non-caloric gum. Standard gum sweetened with added sugar contains 11 calories per piece and even low-calorie sugar-free gums has around 5 calories per piece. What Are The Other Benefits Continue reading >>
Why Some Sugar-free Products Raise Blood Sugar
In the latest “Really?” column, Anahad O’Connor explores why some foods labeled “sugar free” may still raise blood sugar. The culprits are sugar alcohols that are sometimes paired with artificial sweeteners. He writes: Sugar alcohols get their name from their structure, which looks like a cross between a molecule of alcohol and sugar but is technically neither. Companies have added them to more and more “sugar free” products, like cookies, chewing gum, hard candy and chocolate. For people trying to manage their blood sugar, this can make interpreting nutritional labels a little tricky. While sugar alcohols provide fewer calories than regular sugar — in general about 1.5 to 3 calories per gram, compared with 4 calories per gram of sugar — they can still slightly raise your blood sugar. To learn more, read the full column, “The Claim: Artificial Sweeteners Can Raise Blood Sugar,” then please join the discussion below. Continue reading >>
Artificial Sweeteners: Any Effect On Blood Sugar?
Can I use artificial sweeteners if I have diabetes? Answers from M. Regina Castro, M.D. You can use most sugar substitutes if you have diabetes, including: Saccharin (Sweet'N Low) Aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal) Acesulfame potassium (Sunett) Sucralose (Splenda) Stevia (Pure Via, Truvia) Artificial sweeteners, also called sugar substitutes, offer the sweetness of sugar without the calories. Artificial sweeteners are many times sweeter than sugar, so it takes a smaller amount to sweeten foods. This is why foods made with artificial sweeteners may have fewer calories than those made with sugar. Sugar substitutes don't affect your blood sugar level. In fact, most artificial sweeteners are considered "free foods" — foods containing less than 20 calories and 5 grams or less of carbohydrates — because they don't count as calories or carbohydrates on a diabetes exchange. Remember, however, other ingredients in foods containing artificial sweeteners can still affect your blood sugar level. More research is needed, but studies are increasingly finding that the benefits of substituting sugar-sweetened food and beverages with those that have been sweetened artificially may not be as clear as once thought, particularly when consumed in large amounts. One reason may be a "rebound" effect, where some people end up consuming more of an unhealthy type of food because of the misperception that because it's sugar-free it's healthy. Also, be cautious with sugar alcohols — including mannitol, sorbitol and xylitol. Sugar alcohols can increase your blood sugar level. And for some people, sugar alcohols may cause diarrhea. Continue reading >>
The Effect Of Gum Chewing On Blood Glp-1 Concentration In Fasted, Healthy, Non-obese Men
Go to: Introduction GLP-1 is synthesized in and secreted from enteroendocrine L cells that were found throughout the small and large intestine [1]. The constant basal secretion of GLP-1 from enteroendocrine cells is rapidly augmented by the ingestion of luminal nutrients, including carbohydrates, fats, and proteins [2]. GLP-1 is extremely susceptible to the catalytic activity of the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DDP-IV) [3]. Only approximately 10–15 % of newly secreted GLP-1 enters the systemic circulation in its intact form [4]. This insulinotropic activity has been applied to the treatment of type 2 diabetic patients in the form of a new class of antidiabetic agents comprised GLP-1 receptor agonists and dipeptidylpeptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors [5]. Mastication, which serves the physiological function of mechanically breaking food down into small particles suitable for the gastrointestinal absorption of nutrients, influences postprandial plasma glucose concentrations. Compared with typical eating habits, the deliberately thorough mastication of a test meal was reported to be effective in reducing postprandial plasma glucose concentrations in subjects with normal glucose tolerance, most likely because of greater early-phase insulin secretion [6]. If mastication can effect postprandial plasma GLP-1 concentration is not known. Gum chewing is a voluntary physiological gross motor activity that uses numerous functional neuroanatomical pathways. Gum chewing has been associated with many physiological changes, including increased blood flow in the cerebral and orofacial region, which may account for its association with increased alertness and improved memory [7]. Suggestions that chewing gum may positively influence energy balance and facilitate weight loss have not been Continue reading >>
