Dubble Bubble gumballs are a classic bubble gum that many people enjoyed blowing bubbles with as kids. With concerns over sugar intake and diabetes on the rise, a common question is whether Dubble Bubble gumballs are sugar free.
The Short Answer
No, Dubble Bubble gumballs are not sugar free. Dubble Bubble gumballs contain sugar as one of the main ingredients. However, they are considered a sugar-free alternative compared to regular chewing gum because they contain about 50-60% less sugar per piece than typical chewing gums.
Ingredients in Dubble Bubble Gumballs
According to the Dubble Bubble website, the ingredients in Dubble Bubble gumballs are as follows:
- Sugar
- Gum base
- Corn syrup
- Dextrose
- Natural and artificial flavors
- Colors (Red 40 Lake, Blue 1 Lake, Yellow 5 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake)
- Glycerol ester of wood rosin
- BHT (preservative)
As you can see, sugar is listed as the first ingredient. So Dubble Bubble gumballs clearly contain sugar.
Sugar Content in Dubble Bubble Gumballs
Each Dubble Bubble gumball contains approximately 1 gram of sugar per piece. This is equal to about 4 calories from sugar in each gumball.
For comparison, most regular chewing gums contain approximately 2-3 grams of sugar per piece. So while not sugar-free, Dubble Bubble gumballs contain about 50-60% less sugar than average chewing gums.
Are the Sugars Natural or Artificial?
The sugar in Dubble Bubble gumballs includes both natural and artificial sugar sources:
- Sugar – This refers to natural cane sugar or beet sugar.
- Corn syrup – A sweetener made from corn starch via an enzymatic process. It contains glucose, maltose, higher sugars.
- Dextrose – A simple sugar derived from corn starch.
So Dubble Bubble gum gets its sweetness from a blend of natural sugar and sugars derived from corn starch. There are no artificial sweeteners used.
Sugar Alcohols and Alternative Sweeteners
Some sugar-free gums replace sugar with sugar alcohols (like xylitol, sorbitol, or mannitol), stevia leaf extract, or artificial sweeteners like aspartame. Dubble Bubble gumballs do NOT contain any of these alternate sugar-free sweeteners.
Sugar Content Comparison to Other Popular Gums
| Chewing Gum | Grams of Sugar per Piece |
|---|---|
| Dubble Bubble Gumballs | 1 g |
| Juicy Fruit | 2.5 g |
| Bazooka | 2 g |
| Orbit | 2.5 g |
| Trident | 2 g |
| AVERAGE | 2 g |
As the table shows, Dubble Bubble gumballs contain significantly less sugar per piece compared to leading chewing gum brands like Juicy Fruit, Bazooka, Orbit and Trident.
Sugar-Free Alternatives to Dubble Bubble
Here are some popular sugar-free gum options to consider if you want to avoid sugar completely:
- Pur Gum – Contains xylitol and sorbitol for sweetness
- Simply Gum – Uses xylitol as the sweetener
- Smint – Sweetened with xylitol
- Chiclets Sugar Free – Contains aspartame
- Trident Sugar Free – Uses xylitol and aspartame
These gums use sugar alcohols, stevia, or artificial sweeteners to provide sweetness without calories or carbohydrates from sugar.
Sugar-Free or Reduced Sugar?
While Dubble Bubble gumballs are not sugar-free, they can technically be considered reduced sugar because they contain about 50-60% less sugar per piece compared to regular chewing gum. This makes them a better option for those looking to reduce their sugar intake from gum.
Is Dubble Bubble Keto-Friendly?
The keto diet emphasizes very low carbohydrate intake, typically limiting to around 5% of total calories. With 1 gram of sugar per piece, Dubble Bubble gumballs would not fit within a strict keto diet plan. The sugar alcohols used in some sugar-free gums would be more keto-friendly options.
Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load of Dubble Bubble
The glycemic index (GI) measures how much a food spikes your blood sugar. Lower GI foods cause a more gradual rise in blood sugar. Chewing gum has a very low GI of around 13.
Glycemic load accounts for serving size. Dubble Bubble gumballs have a very low glycemic load of just 1 per piece. So while not sugar-free, they should not significantly impact blood sugar levels.
Nutrition Facts for Dubble Bubble Gumballs
Here are the nutrition facts for Dubble Bubble gumballs per piece:
- Calories: 4
- Total Fat: 0 g
- Sodium: 0 mg
- Total Carbs: 1 g
- Sugar: 1 g
- Protein: 0 g
As you can see, a single Dubble Bubble gumball contains just 4 calories, all of which come from 1 gram of sugar. So while not sugar-free, they are still a very low calorie treat.
Ingredients to Avoid with Diabetes
For people with diabetes, these ingredients should be limited or avoided:
- Sugar
- High fructose corn syrup
- Fruit juice concentrates
- Honey
- Syrups
- Sodium
- Refined grains
- Saturated fats
As discussed earlier, Dubble Bubble gumballs do contain sugar as the main ingredient. But the low per piece serving size means they can potentially be enjoyed in moderation by some people with diabetes, depending on individual tolerance.
Dubble Bubble for Weight Loss
With just 4 calories per piece from sugar, Dubble Bubble can be an appropriate gum choice when trying to lose weight. It provides the oral satisfaction of chewing without significant calorie intake. The small amount of sugar is unlikely to cause insulin spikes that promote fat storage.
Research shows chewing gum can help reduce food cravings and promote a sense of fullness. So enjoying Dubble Bubble gumballs can be part of a healthy weight loss plan.
Dental Health Considerations
Sugar is known to be harmful to dental health as it interacts with oral bacteria to form cavity-causing acid. With lower sugar content, Dubble Bubble may pose less risk to teeth than regular gum. However, the stickiness can still adhere to teeth and cause damage if not cleaned off properly.
Sugar-free gums are considered safer for teeth as they do not contain fermentable sugars. But excess chewing of any gum can negatively impact dental work like braces or fillings.
Cost Savings of Dubble Bubble vs Regular Gum
| Chewing Gum | Ounces per Package | Price (US Dollars) | Price per Ounce |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubble Bubble Gumballs | 16 oz | $11.99 | $0.75 |
| Juicy Fruit | 12 oz | $9.99 | $0.83 |
| Savings per Ounce | $0.08 |
With a lower price per ounce, Dubble Bubble gumballs can provide a cost savings compared to regular chewing gum brands like Juicy Fruit.
Bottom Line
In summary, while Dubble Bubble gumballs are not sugar-free, they contain about 50-60% less sugar per piece compared to regular chewing gum. So they can be considered a reduced sugar alternative.
With just 1 gram of sugar and 4 calories per ball, Dubble Bubble can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a healthy diet. The small serving size means they are unlikely to significantly impact blood sugar or weight. And they provide a cost savings compared to regular gum.
For those looking to avoid all sugar, there are several brands that offer sugar-free gum sweetened with xylitol, stevia, or aspartame. But Dubble Bubble remains a classic, nostalgic, and more tooth-friendly gum option for bubble gum lovers.
