Is Cold-EEZE sugar free?

Cold-EEZE is a popular over-the-counter medication used to shorten the duration and reduce the severity of the common cold. One of the most frequently asked questions about Cold-EEZE is whether it contains sugar or is considered sugar-free. With diabetes and weight control being major health concerns, many people want to know the sugar content before taking a new medication. This article will provide a comprehensive answer to the question “Is Cold-EEZE sugar free?” by examining the active and inactive ingredients, intended uses, consumer concerns, and comparison to other similar cold remedies.

What is Cold-EEZE?

Cold-EEZE is a branded over-the-counter cold remedy produced by the company Prophase Labs. It comes in several different forms including lozenges, quick melts, gum, and zinc nasal spray. The active ingredients vary slightly depending on the form, but generally contain some combination of zinc gluconate, zinc acetate, and vitamin C. The inactive ingredients also vary between products but typically include sweeteners like sorbitol, sucralose, and xylitol.

Cold-EEZE is intended to be taken at the earliest signs of a cold. When taken correctly, Cold-EEZE claims to reduce the duration of the common cold by 42%. It is designed to provide immune supporting antioxidants directly to the immune cells in your throat and nasal passages. The zinc in Cold-EEZE may prevent rhinovirus from multiplying and binding to nasal membranes, which will lessen cold symptoms.

Does Cold-EEZE Contain Sugar?

The answer to this question depends on the specific Cold-EEZE product. The original Cold-EEZE lozenges contain sorbitol, which is a sugar alcohol sometimes used as a sweetener. Sugar alcohols like sorbitol are typically lower in calories than regular sugar and do not spike blood sugar levels as drastically. However, sorbitol is not calorie nor carbohydrate free. Each Cold-EEZE lozenge contains 4 grams of total carbohydrates, which mostly comes from the sorbitol.

So in summary, the original Cold-EEZE lozenges do contain sorbitol as a sweetener, which is a type of sugar alcohol. Although lower in calories and glycemic impact than regular sugar, sorbitol still provides 4g of carbohydrate per lozenge. For this reason, the original Cold-EEZE lozenges are not considered sugar-free.

However, Prophase Labs has introduced new sugar-free versions of Cold-EEZE, including Cold-EEZE Sugar Free Lozenges and Cold-EEZE Sugar Free QuickMelts. These products use sucralose instead of sorbitol as the sweetener. Sucralose is an artificial sweetener that provides no calories or carbohydrates. Therefore, the sugar free versions of Cold-EEZE contain no sugar and can be considered sugar-free.

Cold-EEZE Ingredients

To provide more details, here is an overview of the active and inactive ingredients found in different Cold-EEZE products:

Cold-EEZE Lozenges

Active ingredients:
– Zinc gluconate – 13.3mg
– Vitamin C – 250mg

Inactive ingredients:
– Sorbitol
– Dibasic calcium phosphate
– Stearic acid
– Croscarmellose sodium
– Magnesium stearate
– Silica
– Ascorbic acid
– Natural flavors

Cold-EEZE Sugar Free Lozenges

Active ingredients:
– Zinc gluconate – 13.3mg
– Vitamin C – 250mg

Inactive ingredients:
– Sucralose
– Dibasic calcium phosphate
– Stearic acid
– Croscarmellose sodium
– Magnesium stearate
– Silica
– Ascorbic acid
– Natural flavors

Cold-EEZE QuickMelts

Active ingredients:
– Zinc acetate – 7.5mg

Inactive ingredients:
– Sorbitol
– Gelatin
– Mannitol
– Silica
– Magnesium stearate
– Natural flavors
– Ascorbyl palmitate
– Colors added

Cold-EEZE Sugar Free QuickMelts

Active ingredients:
– Zinc acetate – 7.5mg

Inactive ingredients:
– Sucralose
– Gelatin
– Mannitol
– Silica
– Magnesium stearate
– Natural flavors
– Ascorbyl palmitate
– Colors added

Cold-EEZE Gum

Active ingredients:
– Zinc gluconate – 5mg

Inactive ingredients:
– Xylitol
– Gum base
– Citric acid
– Natural flavors
– Stearic acid
– Magnesium stearate
– Silicon dioxide

Cold-EEZE Oral Spray

Active ingredients:
– Zinc acetate – 0.024mg

Inactive ingredients:
– Purified water
– Glycerin
– Sorbitol
– Dimethyl L-tartrate
– Cetylpyridinium chloride
– Methylparaben
– Ascorbic acid
– Citric acid
– Sodium saccharin
– Flavoring

As you can see, the specific sweeteners used vary between sorbitol, sucralose, xylitol, and sodium saccharin depending on the product. Only the sugar free versions use sucralose as the sole sweetener and can be considered sugar-free.

Why Does Cold-EEZE Contain Sweeteners?

Cold-EEZE contains sweeteners like sorbitol for several important reasons:

– Improve taste – The sweeteners mask the bitterness of the active ingredients like zinc, making the product more pleasant to consume. This improves compliance since sweet flavors are more readily consumed.

– Promote consumption – The sweet taste encourages people to take the full therapeutic dose needed to get well faster. Without sweeteners, some people may avoid consuming the full recommended amount.

– Formula cohesion – The sweeteners help bind together the ingredients to make a stable lozenge or gum that will dissolve slowly in the mouth and throat. This provides maximum delivery of the actives.

– Mouthfeel – Sweeteners improve the texture and mouthfeel that consumers expect from oral cold remedies. This signals effectiveness and makes the product more enjoyable to take.

However, Prophase Labs recognizes that sugar intake is a concern for many consumers nowadays. That is why the sugar free alternatives were developed using sucralose instead of sugar alcohols. This allows people concerned about sugar intake to still access the benefits of Cold-EEZE without the calories or carbohydrates.

Consumer Concerns About Sugar in Cold Medications

There are several reasons consumers may be concerned about sugar in their over-the-counter cold medications like Cold-EEZE:

Calories

Sugar adds additional calories with little to no nutritional value. This can be problematic for people trying to manage their weight and caloric intake. Though sorbitol and other sugar alcohols are lower in calories than regular sugar, they can still contribute unwanted calories if consumed in large amounts.

Blood Sugar

Sugar can spike blood glucose levels, which is dangerous for diabetics or pre-diabetics. Sugar alcohols like sorbitol have less impact on blood sugar than regular sugar since they are more slowly absorbed. However, they can still cause spikes if enough is consumed.

Tooth Decay

Sugar promotes cavities and tooth decay. When taking a medication multiple times per day over many days, the sugar exposure can damage tooth enamel.

Medication Efficacy

Some believe excessive sugar intake can decrease the effectiveness of medications. Though not proven, this perception lingers among consumers.

Nutritional Value

Medications are taken to improve health, so some consumers want to avoid nutritionally void ingredients like sugar.

Taste Preferences

Some consumers simply don’t like overly sweet medications and would prefer unsweetened or lightly sweetened options. Kids, however, often prefer sweeter flavor profiles.

Ingredient Awareness

In general, consumers are becoming more concerned about understanding exactly what ingredients their medications contain. Many want to avoid unnecessary additives like sugar.

Are Other Cold Remedies Sugar Free?

Cold-EEZE is far from the only over-the-counter cold medication on the market. Many other remedies also contain sweeteners, but some products are now offering sugar free alternatives:

Zicam

Similar to Cold-EEZE, the original Zicam cold products contain sorbitol. However, they also offer a line of sugar free products sweetened with xylitol, another natural sugar alcohol somewhat lower in calories than sorbitol.

Emergen-C

Most Emergen-C vitamin supplement fizzy drinks contain sugar in the form of dextrose or fructose. However, they offer a Sugar Free with Stevia line of products that contains zero sugar.

Theraflu

Theraflu powdered mixes and syrups contain high fructose corn syrup as the sweetener. At this time they do not offer any sugar free alternatives.

Robitussin

Like Theraflu, most Robitussin cough and cold syrups use corn syrups to provide sweetness. No sugar free options are available yet.

Halls

Halls cough drops are sweetened with high fructose corn syrup. Their website mentions a sugar free flavor of Halls Defense Vitamin C drops, although sugar free options currently seem unavailable.

Chloraseptic

Chloraseptic sore throat relief sprays and lozenges rely on high fructose corn syrup and sugar as sweeteners. Sugar free alternatives are not marketed.

Ricola

The Swiss herb cough drop brand Ricola offers some sugar free flavors sweetened with xylitol, sucralose, and aspartame. However, many of their products still contain sugar.

So in summary, Cold-EEZE certainly isn’t the only cold medication to use sugar, but it has more sugar free options than most brands. Consumers looking to avoid sugar in their cold remedies still have limited choices. Hopefully more sugar free and low sugar alternatives reach the market soon.

Tips for Reducing Sugar Intake from Cold Medications

Here are some tips if you are looking to minimize sugar consumption from over-the-counter cold remedies:

– Choose sugar free versions whenever possible – For Cold-EEZE, opt for the Sugar Free Lozenges or Sugar Free QuickMelts.

– Compare nutrition labels – Review all ingredients and nutrition facts to find options lowest in sugar.

– Use liquid or pill forms – Liquids, softgels, tablets, and capsules often have less added sugar than flavored lozenges.

– Dilute sugary liquids – Cut syrups with water to reduce overall sugar intake.

– Limit frequency – Take only the recommended serving sizes spaced out over the day. Don’t over-consume.

– Rinse after use – Rinse mouth with water after consuming to wash away residual sugar coating teeth.

– Maintain oral hygiene – Brush regularly and floss to protect oral health if consuming sugar-containing medications.

– Prefer unsweetened options – For sore throat pain, try throat sprays and analgesics that aren’t sweetened.

– Use alternative remedies – Ingest honey, saline spray, steam, zinc, vitamin C, echinacea, chicken soup, and rest as lower sugar options.

– Seek medical advice – Consult a doctor or pharmacist for other medication alternatives if sugar intake is a major concern.

With a few simple tips, you can still reap the benefits of cold relief medications while controlling your sugar consumption. Be sure to read labels carefully and select sugar free versions whenever possible.

The Bottom Line on Cold-EEZE and Sugar

So in summary, here are the key points on whether Cold-EEZE is sugar free:

– The original Cold-EEZE lozenges contain 4g of carbohydrates per lozenge from the sugar alcohol sweetener sorbitol. Because of this, they are not sugar free.

– However, Prophase Labs now offers Sugar Free versions of Cold-EEZE lozenges and quick melts. These are sweetened with sucralose and contain no sugar.

– Other Cold-EEZE products like the gum and zinc spray also contain sugar alcohols or other sweeteners, but no sucrose.

– Sugar is added to Cold-EEZE to improve taste, texture, and compliance with taking the full therapeutic dose.

– Consumers may be concerned about sugar’s effects on calories, blood sugar, dental health, and nutrition. That’s why sugar free options are important.

– Some other cold remedy brands offer sugar free alternatives, but many still rely on added sugars. Cold-EEZE has more sugar free choices than most competitors.

So if you are concerned about sugar intake, be sure to choose the Cold-EEZE Sugar Free Lozenges or Sugar Free QuickMelts. The original lozenges do contain some carbohydrates from sorbitol. Read labels carefully and consult a doctor if sugar content is a major priority for you.

References

[1] Cold-EEZE Product Information. Prophase Labs website. https://www.cold-eeze.com/products.html

[2] Cold-EEZE FAQs. Prophase Labs website. https://www.cold-eeze.com/faq.html

[3] Zicam Product Facts. Zicam website. https://zicam.com/products/

[4] Emergen-C Products Page. Emergen-C website. https://www.emergen-c.com/shop

[5] Theraflu Products Page. Theraflu website. https://www.theraflu.com/products

[6] Robitussin Products Page. Robitussin website. https://www.robitussin.com/products

[7] Halls Cough Drops Products Page. Halls website. https://www.halls.com/en/products

[8] Chloraseptic Sore Throat Products Page. Chloraseptic website. https://www.chloraseptic.com/sore-throat/lozenges-spray/

[9] Ricola Cough Drop Products Page. Ricola website. https://www.ricola.com/en-us/products

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