5 gum has been a popular chewing gum brand since it was first introduced in 2007. One of the reasons for its popularity is the wide variety of flavors it comes in, many of which are sugar free options. For people looking to enjoy chewing gum without the calories and carbohydrates of sugar, 5 gum’s sugar free varieties provide an appealing alternative. But how good are these sugar free offerings? Let’s take a closer look.
An Overview of 5 Gum
5 gum is manufactured by the Wrigley Company, a subsidiary of Mars, Incorporated. Wrigley is one of the largest chewing gum companies in the world and produces many well-known gum brands like Extra, Orbit, and Eclipse. When 5 gum was launched, it was designed to be a “stimulation gum” that would provide an energizing effect from ingredients like caffeine, taurine, and vitamins.
The bright, colorful packaging and unique flavor varieties helped 5 gum stand out from typical gum brands. Original 5 gum flavors were named after human senses, like “Rain” (a minty fresh flavor) and “Cinnamon” (delivering a warming cinnamon taste). Over the years, 5 gum has expanded its selection to over 25 flavors, including newer options like “Cobalt” (mint and berries) and “Pulse” (fruit punch).
In addition to regular 5 gum, Wrigley also produces 5 gum in sugar free varieties. These provide the same intense flavors but without sugar and calories. Popular sugar free 5 gums include “Cobalt,” “Spearmint,” “Peppermint,” “Wintermint,” “Arctic Ice,” and “Cool Mint.”
Are the Sugar Free 5 Gums Good?
When assessing whether sugar free 5 gums are good or not, there are a few key factors to consider:
- Taste – For any gum, taste is the most important criteria. Do the sugar free 5 gums deliver full flavor? How does the taste compare to regular, sugar-containing 5 gums?
- Texture – Chewing texture is another important attribute. Some sugar free gums can end up having a rubbery or sticky texture. How is the mouthfeel of sugar free 5 varieties?
- Sweetness – With no sugar, is there still enough sweetness? Or do the gums taste overly dull or bitter without sugar?
- Breath freshening abilities – A good sugar free gum should leave your breath feeling clean and refreshed.
- Length of flavor – Does the flavor and sweetness last while chewing or does it quickly disappear?
We’ll analyze each of these factors to determine if sugar free 5 gums deliver on the criteria.
Taste
When looking at customer reviews and comments on the taste of sugar free 5 gum, the consensus is quite positive. The intense fruit and mint flavors like Cobalt, Arctic Ice, and Cool Mint get high marks for having excellent, long-lasting flavor without any artificial or chemical aftertaste. Even though sugar alcohols are used as sweeteners instead of real sugar, users report the sweetness level is perfect for enhancing the fruity and refreshing flavors. Overall, the taste gets high ratings that rival regular 5 gum.
Texture
The texture of sugar free chewing gum can sometimes be rubbery, gummy or sticky. With sugar free 5 gums, reviews indicate the texture is smooth and soft for easy, pleasant chewing. The gum base holds up well over time without hardening up. So texture-wise, sugar free 5 gums perform just as good as the regular versions.
Sweetness
Balancing sweetness without sugar is tricky, but the sweeteners and flavors used in sugar free 5 gums combine to deliver satisfying sweetness. Users say the gums are plenty sweet without being overpowering. The sweetness complements the mint and fruit flavors. So while you can tell it’s not real sugar, the sweetness level is perfectly adequate for flavor.
Breath Freshening
With cool, minty flavors like Arctic Ice and Wintermint, sugar free 5 gums do an excellent job of freshening breath. The intense minty flavors overpower bad breath and leave a crisp, clean feeling. Even the fruitier flavors provide nice breath freshening power. Reviews consistently praise the long-lasting fresh breath from sugar free 5 varieties.
Length of Flavor
Flavors tend to diminish quicker in sugar free gums as you chew. But 5 gum is formulated to deliver sustained flavor release. Most users report the mint and fruit flavors in the sugar free 5 gums last very well. The flavor lasts nicely during chewing and continues providing a refreshing taste even after the gum has been spit out. So flavor length is a definite strength of sugar free 5 gum.
Sugar Alcohol Sweeteners Used
To provide sweetness without sugar, sugar free 5 gums use sugar alcohol sweeteners:
- Sorbitol
- Maltitol
- Acesulfame potassium
These are common sweeteners used in many sugar free gums and other products. They add sweetness with fewer calories and carbs than regular sugar. The combination of sorbitol, maltitol, and acesulfame potassium gives the right level of sweetness balanced with great flavor release.
Potential Gastrointestinal Effects
One downside to be aware of with sugar alcohols like sorbitol and maltitol is that they can cause gastrointestinal distress if consumed in large amounts. Issues like gas, bloating, and diarrhea can occur if you chew too much sugar free gum at once or eat a lot of other foods containing these sugar alcohols. Moderation is key.
Nutrition Info
Here is a nutrition comparison between regular 5 gum and sugar free 5 gum varieties:
Regular 5 Gum Nutrition Facts (per piece)
- Calories: 10
- Total fat: 0g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Total carbs: 3g
- Sugars: 2g
Sugar Free 5 Gum Nutrition Facts (per piece)
- Calories: 5
- Total fat: 0g
- Sodium: 20mg
- Total carbs: 0g
- Sugars: 0g
As you can see, the sugar free 5 gum has 0g sugar and about half the calories compared to regular 5 gum, making it the better choice if you are watching calories and carbs.
Top Sugar Free 5 Gum Flavors
Based on popularity and user reviews, here are some of the top stand-out flavors of sugar free 5 gum:
Cool Mint
This minty gum provides long-lasting fresh breath with a smooth, cool sensation.
Cobalt
Intense mint and berry flavor for a blast of nicotine-like stimulation.
Arctic Ice
Crystal cool mint flavors leave a frosty fresh feeling.
Rain
Watermelon and mint for a refreshing, juicy experience.
Wintermint
Invigorating icy mint flavor.
Is Sugar Free 5 Gum Worth Trying?
Based on the taste, texture, sweetness, breath freshening, and flavor release, sugar free 5 gum performs just as well as the regular versions. The intense fruity mint flavors satisfy chewing urges without sugar or many calories. While everyone’s taste preferences differ, most users find sugar free 5 gum to be pleasant and flavorful.
Sugar free 5 gum is worth trying, especially if you want to limit sugar intake but still crave flavorful gum. Pieces can be chewed individually or paired together to blend flavors like Cobalt and Rain. Just be mindful of chewing too much at once to prevent GI issues.
Overall, sugar free 5 gum provides a comparable chewing gum experience to regular 5 gum with the benefits of no sugar added. The wide range of options allows you to switch between cool mints and fruity flavors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does sugar free 5 gum have aspartame or phenylalanine?
No, sugar free 5 gum does not contain aspartame or phenylalanine. The sweeteners used are sorbitol, maltitol, and acesulfame potassium.
Do all 5 gum flavors come in a sugar free version?
No, not all 5 gum flavors are available in sugar free varieties yet. Some flavors like “Zing” and “Blast” are only available with regular sugar. But popular flavors like Cobalt, Rain, and Wintermint do come in sugar free options.
Does sugar free gum help prevent cavities?
There is some evidence that chewing sugar free gum after eating can increase saliva flow which helps wash away food debris and neutralize mouth acidity. This creates an environment less favorable to the bacteria that cause cavities. The ADA recommends chewing sugar free gum for 20 minutes after meals as part of good oral care.
Is sorbitol bad for you?
Sorbitol is generally safe but consuming too much can lead to digestive issues like gas, bloating and diarrhea. Moderation is key. Those with irritable bowel conditions may want to limit intake of sorbitol.
What is the difference between aspartame and acesulfame potassium?
Both are artificial sweeteners but have a different chemical structure. Aspartame (Equal, NutraSweet) is made up of phenylalanine and aspartic acid. Acesulfame potassium (Sweet One) does not contain phenylalanine, making it safe for those with PKU.
The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for an intense, flavorful sugar free gum, 5 gum is an excellent option. The cool mint and fruity varieties provide long-lasting flavor and fresh breath in a low calorie piece of gum. While not exactly like chewing regular gum, the chewing experience and satisfaction from sugar free 5 gum is quite comparable. Sugar free 5 gum is worth a try if you crave stimulating flavors without the sugar and just remember to chew in moderation.
