Extra is a top-notch brand of sugarless chewing gum manufactured by the Wrigley Company in Europe, North America, Australia, and a few parts of Asia and Africa. If you wish to know more about it, please check out the following write-up, which provides plenty of fascinating information.
Does extra gum have sugar?
Does Wrigley’s Gum have sugar? A large number of individuals have been asking this question online. In 1984, the Wrigley Company launched Extra, its first sugar free product, and became one of the most celebrated brands throughout the United States.
The identity of Extra is not the same in all the markets. The manufacturers came up with different logos, flavors, and slogans for every country. Anyway, at present, you can purchase the below-mentioned versions without any hassle –
- Spearmint
- Peppermint
- Winter Fresh
- Cool Breeze
- Ice
- Classic Bubble
- Polar Ice
- Bubblegum
- Bubble Mint
- Smooth Mint
- Active
- Tropical
- Strawberry
- Watermelon
- Berry
- White
- Berry Burst
- Blueberry
- Apple
- Liquorice
Does Extra spearmint gum have sugar? None of the varieties of Extra gum has sugar. They are sweetened by something else. To know what, continue reading.
What is extra gum?
Extra gum has acquired extensive recognition in multiple western countries. It is also becoming popular in developed nations, especially among the student community. The composition is as follows –
- The base is made from the sap of sapodilla tree, which is a native of Central America. Other substances that can be used as a base are paraffin wax and beeswax. It is the base that makes the gum chewable.
- Softeners are added for retaining moisture in the gum. When they are added in substantial amounts, the gum does not become hard. Two most common types of softeners are vegetable oil and glycerin.
- Sweeteners are added instead of sugar to provide the gum with a sweet flavor. Corn syrup is a natural sweetening agent, and the artificial sweetening agents are sorbitol, xylitol, aspartame, and mannitol.
- Flavoring ingredients are added to the gums. People would not love a gum that has a bland taste, right?
What is extra gum sweetened with?
Unlike other gums, Extra gum is not sweetened with saccharin. Instead, it uses the NutraSweet brand – a sweetener produced by the G.D. Searle & Co. The sweetener is not bitter and is considered safe for humans. In 1997, it was replaced by aspartame.
How much sugar does extra gum contain?
Do you want to know how much sugar does extra gum have? Extra gum does not have pure sugar but it does have sugar substitutes. This is why Extra gum is appreciated by a larger segment of the population.
Are there any sugar-free gums?
Sugar-free gums do not have table sugar. It is generally sweetened with aspartame, sorbitol, xylitol, and other sugar alcohols. Besides Extra, a few other ADA approved sugarless gums include –
- Bazooka Sugar-Free Bubblegum
- Eclipse Sugar-Free Gum
- Bazooka Sugar-Free Bubblegum
- Dentyne Ice Sugar-Free Gum
- Orbit Sugar-Free Gum
- Trident Sugar-Free Gum
Is extra gum sugar-free?
Extra gum is fully sugar free. You might be wondering how it tastes sweet then. Well, different kinds of sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners are used for making the gum sweet.
The sugar alcohols are a type of carbohydrates, having most of the characteristic traits of alcohol.
Does extra gum contain xylitol and aspartame?
Xylitol could be defined as a sugar alcohol derived from plants. It is generally used as an alternative to sugar. Xylitol can be harmful for dogs. If your furry companion has accidentally eaten a product containing xylitol, you must take him/her to a veterinarian.
Does Extra gum have xylitol? It primarily depends on the flavor you have opted for. Some packs contain xylitol but in negligible amounts (0.22 g to 1 g), and others do not. The ones with xylitol must be kept away from dogs. According to reputed medical professionals, to reach a toxic dosage, a ten pound dog just has to consume one piece of gum.
Aspartame has been approved as a nutritive sweetener. It is used in a wide range of food items lately. Although aspartame does not have calories, since it is 200 times sweeter than normal sugar, people try staying away from it.
Does Extra gum have aspartame? Yes, Extra gum has aspartame and other kinds of artificial sweeteners. Studies have shown that one piece of gum has around 8 mg of aspartame. It does not have an adverse impact on your physical health, but if you have a pack daily, your blood sugar level has to bear the brunt.
Sorbitol is a carbohydrate, and usually goes by the name – polyol or sugar alcohol. Sorbitol is found naturally in fruits and berries. It contains around one-third less calories than table sugar and is 70 percent as sweet.
Does Extra gum have sorbitol? Yes, Extra and many other gums have sorbitol. A typical stick of gum has around 1.25 grams of sorbitol, which is a lot higher than normal.
Is extra gum harmful to your health?
Does Extra spearmint gum contain xylitol? It does and that’s why Extra gum must always be kept away from dogs. But is extra gum harmful to human health too?
All types of chewing gums have flavorings but the sugarless versions have higher concentrations of acidic flavors and preservatives, both of which can erode your teeth. Dental erosion is the gradual loss of calcium from the teeth, which when allowed to continue for a prolonged period can force the teeth to dissolve.
Chewing too much sugarless gum can cause extreme weight loss and diarrhea. The issue is sorbitol, an artificial sweetener that actually acts as laxative. After sorbitol is consumed, it moves across the gastrointestinal tract and pulls water from it. This accumulates fluid inside the bowels paving the way for many unpleasant symptoms.
Now you do not need to throw the pack of Extra gum or boycott it. Just take things easy. For concerns, please contact a doctor.
Final Thoughts
I hope the above discussion cleared all your doubts about Extra gum. The gum does not contain sugar but alternatives to sugar such as aspartame, sorbitol, xylitol, etc. Besides being healthy, Extra gum is super tasty.
Thank you for reading:)
