Double Bubble is a popular brand of bubble gum that has been around since 1928. Many people enjoy chewing Double Bubble for its unique texture and long-lasting flavor. But one question consumers often have is: does Double Bubble actually contain sugar?
The Short Answer
Yes, Double Bubble gum does contain sugar. However, the amount is very minimal compared to many other candies and gums. Double Bubble uses a sugar substitute called xylitol as its primary sweetener. But the gum still contains a tiny amount of sugar to balance the flavor profile.
Ingredients in Double Bubble Gum
To understand if Double Bubble contains sugar, you need to look at its ingredients list:
– Gum base
– Xylitol
– Natural flavors
– Softeners
– Colors (titanium dioxide, blue 1 lake, red 40 lake)
– Corn syrup
– Sugar
The main sweetener used in Double Bubble is xylitol, which is a sugar alcohol commonly extracted from birch trees. Xylitol tastes similar to sugar but has fewer calories and does not spike blood sugar levels.
However, Double Bubble also contains a small amount of corn syrup and sugar. Corn syrup is made from corn starch and contains glucose, another type of sugar. The sugar is likely added to complement the xylitol and balance the sweetness.
So while xylitol makes up the bulk of the sweeteners, traditional sugar is still present in a smaller quantity.
Nutrition Facts for Double Bubble Gum
Looking at the nutrition label on a pack of Double Bubble provides more details on the sugar content:
| Serving size | 1 piece (0.7g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 5 |
| Total sugar | 0g |
According to the nutrition facts, a single piece of Double Bubble (0.7 grams) contains 0 grams of sugar.
This makes sense when you consider that the actual sugar content is very low. Food labels can round down to 0 grams if the food contains less than 0.5 grams of sugar per serving.
So while Double Bubble does have sugar in the ingredient list, the amount is negligible per piece of gum. You would have to chew a large quantity to consume a significant amount of real sugar.
Xylitol as the Primary Sweetener
Now that we’ve confirmed Double Bubble contains trace amounts of real sugar, let’s talk more about xylitol.
As mentioned, xylitol is a sugar alcohol used as a popular sugar substitute in gum, candy, and other foods. Sugar alcohols are:
– Low in calories (about 2 calories per gram compared to 4 calories for sugar)
– Less likely to cause cavities since they are not easily metabolized by plaque bacteria
– Less likely to spike blood glucose levels
Xylitol has a sweetness equal to sugar but with 40% fewer calories per gram. And unlike some artificial sweeteners, xylitol does not typically have an aftertaste.
These properties make xylitol an appealing choice for low-calorie gum that still provides sweet flavor.
Double Bubble contains over 1 gram of xylitol per piece, making it the primary source of sweetness rather than sugar.
Benefits of Minimal Sugar Content
The low sugar content in Double Bubble gum gives it some advantages:
– Fewer calories: With only 5 calories per piece, you can chew Double Bubble guilt-free. The minimal sugar means you won’t consume unnecessary calories.
– Less impact on dental health: Sugar is notoriously bad for your teeth, feeding the plaque bacteria that cause cavities. By using xylitol instead, Double Bubble helps fight cavities rather than cause them.
– Won’t spike blood sugar: For people with diabetes or those avoiding sugar for other health reasons, Double Bubble is a better option than regular gum containing high sugar.
– Doesn’t promote overeating: Studies show that consuming sugar can increase cravings and appetite. The low sugar content means Double Bubble is less likely to lead to sugar binges.
So while Double Bubble isn’t completely sugar-free, it’s about as close as you can get with a conventional gum. The sugar level is low enough provide the flavor needed without any major health drawbacks.
Sugar Content in Other Popular Gums
How does Double Bubble compare to other top chewing gums in terms of sugar content? Here is a comparison:
| Chewing Gum Brand | Grams of Sugar per Piece |
|---|---|
| Double Bubble | 0g |
| Orbit | 0.77g |
| Trident | 1.3g |
| Juicy Fruit | 3g |
| Bubble Yum | 2.5g |
As you can see, popular brands like Orbit, Trident, and Juicy Fruit all contain at least double the sugar per piece compared to Double Bubble. So while Double Bubble isn’t completely sugar-free, it does have significantly less sugar than other leading gums.
Sugar-Free Chewing Gum Alternatives
While Double Bubble is relatively low in sugar, there are sugar-free gum options available if you want to avoid sugar completely:
– Orbit Sugarfree: Orbit makes sugar-free versions of their gums sweetened with aspartame and acesulfame potassium instead.
– Trident Sugarless: Similarly, Trident offers sugar-free gums using the same sweeteners.
– Eclipse: This brand is sweetened with xylose and sucralose rather than sugar alcohols.
– Pur: Pur gum is made with xylitol as the sole sweetener and is certified sugar-free.
– Simply Gum: Flavored with natural ingredients like mint, ginger, and cinnamon, Simply Gum is also sugar-free.
So if you need to strictly control sugar for health or dietary reasons, switching to a sugarless gum may be preferable. But Double Bubble remains one of the lowest in sugar among conventional chewing gums.
Is Double Bubble Keto-Friendly?
The ketogenic or “keto” diet restricts carb intake to achieve a state of ketosis for weight loss or other health goals. On keto, you must really limit sugar intake, so is Double Bubble gum keto-friendly?
While Double Bubble is low in sugar, it’s not quite keto-approved due to the xylitol content.
Xylitol is technically classified as a carbohydrate even though it does not spike blood sugar like regular carbs. There are about 3 grams of xylitol per piece of Double Bubble gum.
Most keto diets aim to keep net carbs below 20-50 grams per day. So the xylitol in Double Bubble could quickly add up if you chew a lot of pieces.
There are some sugar-free gums like Pur that may be better options on a strict keto diet. But for most low-carb eating plans, Double Bubble can still fit in moderation. Just be mindful of portions.
Can Diabetics Consume Double Bubble?
Due to the low sugar content, Double Bubble can be a good occasional treat for diabetics who need to control blood sugar levels.
Some key considerations for diabetics interested in Double Bubble:
– Monitor portions: While one piece is negligible, too much can add up, especially the xylitol carbs. Stick to 1-2 pieces at a time.
– Chew thoroughly: Be sure to chew Double Bubble thoroughly and discard once the flavor is gone. This prevents inadvertently swallowing the gum, which could impact blood sugar.
– Look out for hypoglycemia: The xylitol won’t raise blood sugar, so monitor levels to avoid low blood sugar reactions.
– Use caution with gum disease: Sugar-free gums like Double Bubble can sometimes exacerbate pre-existing dental issues.
Overall, enjoying a piece of Double Bubble here and there should be fine for most diabetics. But moderation and monitoring its effects on you individually are key. Consult your doctor with any concerns.
Does Double Bubble Have Aspartame?
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener used in many diet or sugar-free foods like soft drinks. However, Double Bubble gum does NOT contain aspartame.
The main sweeteners in Double Bubble are:
– Xylitol
– Corn syrup
– Sugar
It does not contain any aspartame or other artificial sweeteners like sucralose or saccharin.
This makes Double Bubble a good option if you want to avoid products with these synthetic ingredients.
The minimal sugar content and xylitol give Double Bubble its sweetness without needing extra artificial sweeteners.
Conclusion
While Double Bubble gum isn’t completely sugar-free, it does contain a negligible amount of real sugar per piece.
The main sweetener used is xylitol, a sugar alcohol that provides sweetness without the same health impacts as real sugar.
Compared to most popular chewing gums, Double Bubble is very low in sugar. And it achieves its sweet taste without relying on artificial sweeteners like aspartame.
The minimal sugar content makes Double Bubble a solid choice if you’re watching your sugar intake for weight loss, dental health, or blood sugar control.
Enjoying a piece or two shouldn’t be an issue for most people. But you can also opt for completely sugar-free gum alternatives if you need to avoid all sources, including xylitol.
Overall, Double Bubble makes for a delicious chewing gum that minimizes sugar content without compromising on flavor. It offers the classic bubble gum experience many love while keeping your sugar consumption in check.
