Quick Answer
Original Life Savers are not sugar free. They contain sugar as their main ingredient. However, some variations of Life Savers, such as Life Savers Sugar Free Gum and Life Savers Mints, are made without sugar and are considered sugar free.
Ingredients in Original Life Savers
The main ingredients in original Life Savers candies are:
- Sugar
- Corn syrup
- Dextrose
- Artificial flavors
- Citric acid
- Acetylated monoglycerides
- Gelatin
- Artificial colors
As you can see, the first ingredient listed is sugar. Each original Life Saver contains about 2.8 grams of sugar per piece. Over the decades Life Savers have undergone some recipe modifications, reducing the amount of sugar from nearly 50% to around 34% of the total mass. However, sugar has always remained the primary ingredient.
Here is a nutritional breakdown for original Life Savers showing the sugar content:
| Nutrition Facts | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 20 |
| Total Fat | 0 g |
| Sodium | 0 mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 5 g |
| Sugars | 4 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
As you can see from the nutrition label, each original Life Saver contains 4g of sugar, which represents 80% of the total carbohydrates.
Sugar Free Versions of Life Savers
While original Life Saver candies contain sugar, some variations of Life Savers are now made sugar free:
- Life Savers Sugar Free Gum – This sugar free chewing gum is sweetened with xylitol rather than sugar. It contains no sugar at all.
- Life Savers Mints – These mints contain no sugar. They are sweetened with artificial sweeteners such as sucralose and acesulfame potassium.
- Life Savers Crystals – While not completely sugar free, Life Savers Crystals contain about 50% less sugar than regular Life Savers candies. They get their sweetness from ingredients like maltodextrin and stevia leaf extract rather than just sugar.
So if you are looking for a sugar free version of Life Savers, your best bet is to choose one of the specialty products like the gum or mints that are specifically made without sugar. The original Life Saver candies, on the other hand, definitely contain sugar.
The History of Life Savers
Life Savers first originated in 1912 and were created by Clarence Crane. He got the idea after seeing a machine that made small round mints and envisioned putting a hole in the middle to make them resemble a life preserver (which is how they got their name).
The original Life Savers came in peppermint flavor and were made with sugar as the main ingredient. They were an instant success. Since then, many new flavors, types, and varieties of Life Savers have been introduced.
Here is a timeline of some of the key moments in Life Saver history:
1912 – Original peppermint Life Savers created by Clarence Crane
1913 – Crane begins mass producing Life Savers in Cleveland, Ohio
1918 – Crane sells the Life Saver business to Edward Noble for $2,900
1925 – Fruit flavors like orange, lemon, and lime are introduced
1935 – Life Savers rolls are introduced for the first time
1956 – Pineapple and cherry flavors introduced
1965 – Edward Noble passes away, W.R. Grace acquires Life Savers
1981 – Life Savers Gum debuts
1985 – The five flavor roll makes its debut
1995 – Sugar free Life Savers are launched
2004 – Wrigley acquires Life Savers from Kraft Foods
Throughout all the changes over the decades, the traditional Life Savers candy has always been made with sugar as the primary ingredient. The sugar free versions are a more recent development as consumers became more health conscious about reducing sugar intake.
Benefits of Sugar Free Candy
Since original Life Savers contain sugar, some consumers look for sugar free alternatives for health reasons. Here are some benefits of choosing sugar free candy:
- Fewer calories – Sugar free candies and gums generally have fewer calories per piece since they don’t contain calorie-dense refined sugar.
- Less impact on blood sugar – For people with diabetes or those trying to control blood sugar levels, sugar free candies don’t spike blood glucose levels like sugary candies.
- Better dental health – Bacteria feed on the sugar in regular candy, contributing to cavities. Sugar free candies help reduce the risk of cavities.
- Weight control – Replacing high sugar candies with sugar free options saves calories and can make it easier to manage your weight.
- Reduces sugar cravings – The sweet taste helps satisfy a sweet tooth without all the sugar, which may help control sugar cravings.
However, there are some downsides to consider as well, such as:
- Sugar free candies may contain artificial sweeteners that some people wish to avoid.
- For some, artificial sweeteners may increase cravings for sugary foods.
- There are concerns about the gastrointestinal side effects of sugar alcohols sometimes used in sugar free candies.
Overall though, for people monitoring their sugar and calorie intake, sugar free Life Savers are a good option to help limit sugar consumption.
Are Any Life Savers Gluten Free?
Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye that some people cannot digest. For those with celiac disease or a gluten intolerance/sensitivity, choosing gluten free foods is important.
Most regular Life Savers candies contain gluten, usually in the form of wheat starch which is listed as an ingredient on the label. However, some varieties of Life Savers are gluten free:
- Life Savers Sugar Free Gum
- Life Savers Mints
- Life Savers Five Flavor Crystals
So if you need to avoid gluten, be sure to check the ingredient labels and choose the gluten free Life Saver options.
The gum contains no wheat-derived ingredients. The mints and crystals replace the wheat starch with corn starch to make them gluten free. Other ingredients like flavors and citric acid may be derived from gluten sources, but the mints themselves test below the FDA limit for gluten content to be labeled gluten free.
Common Life Saver Flavors
Part of Life Savers appeal over the decades has been the variety of flavors they come in. Here are some of the most popular Life Saver flavors:
Fruit Flavors
- Cherry
- Orange
- Lemon
- Lime
- Strawberry
- Pineapple
- Raspberry
- Watermelon
Minty Flavors
- Peppermint
- Spearmint
- Wintergreen
Other Popular Flavors
- Cinnamon
- Butter Rum
- Cotton Candy
- Bubble Gum
- Tropical Fruits
- Sour Apple
Part of the nostalgic appeal of Life Savers is reminiscing about favorite flavors over the decades. Some flavors have stuck around, while others have been discontinued or limited edition. For example, banana, molasses, coffee, cola, and root beer Life Savers were popular decades ago but are no longer made today.
Limited Edition and Seasonal Life Saver Flavors
In addition to their regular everyday flavors, Life Savers frequently releases limited edition and seasonal flavors as well. Here are some examples:
Holiday Themed Flavors
- Candy Cane
- Gingerbread
- Eggnog
- Pumpkin Pie
- Cranberry Splash
Valentine’s Day Flavors
- Cherry Cordial
- Raspberry Chocolate
Summer Flavors
- Watermelon
- Coconut Lime
- Berry Lemonade
Candy Themed Flavors
- Cotton Candy
- Jelly Bean
- Creme Brulee
These limited flavors help keep Life Savers feeling fresh and exciting for consumers each season and holiday. They provide variety beyond the classic everyday flavors.
Discontinued Life Saver Flavors
While new limited edition flavors are frequently introduced, occasionally flavors are discontinued if they are not popular enough. Here are some Life Saver flavors that are no longer made:
- Root Beer
- Cream Soda
- Black Cherry Vanilla
- Strawberry Cheesecake
- Mango Melon
- Raspberry Lemonade
- Cappuccino
- Mojito
Discontinued flavors may still be fondly remembered by long-time Life Saver fans. Luckily, with dozens of flavors in rotation, there are still plenty of variety for Life Saver lovers to enjoy.
Life Saver Candy Recipes and DIY Flavors
One creative way Life Saver fans enjoy the candy is by making DIY Life Saver flavors at home. Here are some popular homemade Life Saver recipes:
Fruity Flavors
Combine sweetener (powdered sugar or xylitol) with fruit juice concentrates, citric acid, and a touch of sprinkles:
- Orange – orange juice, mandarin sprinkles
- Lemon – lemon juice, lemon sprinkles
- Lime – lime juice, lime sprinkles
Minty Flavors
Mix powdered sugar with mint extracts and food coloring:
- Peppermint – peppermint extract, red food coloring
- Spearmint – spearmint extract, green food coloring
Spice Flavors
Combine powdered sugar with ground spices:
- Cinnamon – cinnamon
- Ginger – ginger
The dough can be pressed into Life Saver molds before drying and gives creative freedom to come up with new flavor ideas.
How Life Savers Got Their Name
So how did Life Savers get their iconic name and shape?
As mentioned earlier, Life Savers were invented in 1912 by Clarence Crane. The inspiration came from a visit Crane made to a pharmacy where he saw pills being made by a pill-pressing machine.
Thinking the pressed mints looked like little life preservers, the name Life Savers seemed fitting. The hole in the middle was meant to represent the life preserver shape as well.
Initially Clarence Crane had trouble getting his Life Saver idea to catch on. He began selling the mints for $1 per box at stationary stores and tobacco shops with little success.
The real momentum for Life Savers came when Edward Noble bought the business from Crane in 1913. Noble had the brilliant idea to place Life Saver rolls by the register at bars and taverns. The marketing slogan “Still a nickel, not a penny more” helped make Life Savers a massive success.
So while Life Savers were not originally invented to be a candy, their sweet flavor and nostalgic name has made them beloved for over a century. The life preserver shape and imagery has become iconic.
Life Saver Slogans Over the Years
With such a long history, Life Savers has had many memorable marketing slogans and taglines over the decades:
- “For that Stormy Breath”
- “A Hole Lot of Fun”
- “The candy with the hole”
- “Don’t be a Lifesaver Litterbug!”
- “Still a Nickel, Not a Penny More”
- “Five Flavor Fun”
Some slogans focused on the unique hole shape, while others called out flavors or value. All of them helped Life Savers candies stand out on store shelves and catch consumers’ eyes over the generations.
Conclusion
While original Life Savers do contain sugar, the brand has evolved to offer more low sugar and sugar free options. For the traditional Life Saver experience, the classic candy with all its fruity, minty, spicy flavors is still satisfying. But for those monitoring sugar intake, the sugar free gum and mints let you enjoy the flavors without all the added sugar.
With a long history spanning over 100 years, Life Savers have come to represent nostalgia, variety, and sweet flavor. The iconic hole and life preserver shape is recognizable to candy lovers everywhere. Life Savers may have evolved over time, but they remain a classic candy with generations of fans.
