Cool Whip is a popular whipped topping product that comes in both regular and sugar free varieties. The key question many people have is whether the sugar free version contains xylitol, a common sugar substitute. In this comprehensive 5000 word guide, we will analyze the ingredients list for sugar free Cool Whip, examine how xylitol is commonly used in foods, and definitively determine whether or not there is xylitol in this popular dairy-free whipped topping.
What is Cool Whip?
Cool Whip is a brand of whipped topping manufactured by Kraft Foods. It was introduced in 1966 as an imitation of whipped cream that could be stored in the freezer. Cool Whip is made from water, hydrogenated vegetable oil, high fructose corn syrup, and less than 2% of sodium caseinate, natural and artificial flavor, xanthan and guar gums, polysorbate 60, sorbitan monostearate and beta carotene for color.
Cool Whip comes in a variety of forms including:
- Original – containing high fructose corn syrup as the main sweetener
- Extra Creamy – with additional vegetable oil for a richer texture
- Sugar Free – sweetened with sucralose and acesulfame potassium
- Lite – with half the fat and calories as regular Cool Whip
- French Vanilla and other flavors
The key difference between regular and sugar free Cool Whip is the sweetener used. Regular Cool Whip is sweetened with high fructose corn syrup while sugar free uses non-nutritive sweeteners sucralose and acesulfame potassium.
What is Xylitol?
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol used as a sweetener in many products, especially sugar-free gum and mints. Unlike other artificial sweeteners, xylitol has a similar sweetness and texture as regular sugar.
Some key facts about xylitol:
- Xylitol contains 40% fewer calories than sugar – about 2.4 calories per gram compared to 4 calories per gram for sugar.
- It has a glycemic index of 7 compared to regular sugar which has a glycemic index of 65. This means it has minimal impact on blood sugar.
- Xylitol does not promote tooth decay and can even help prevent cavities when used in chewing gum.
- It has approximately the same sweetness as regular sugar.
- Xylitol is found naturally in small amounts in fruit and vegetables.
- It can be extracted from corn cobs, birch trees, or other plant sources.
The minimal effect on blood sugar along with the dental health benefits make xylitol an attractive sweetener, especially for sugar-free products targeting people with diabetes or those wanting to reduce sugar for other health reasons.
Common Foods Containing Xylitol
Xylitol can be found as an ingredient in a variety of sugar-free and “diabetic friendly” products, including:
- Chewing gum – xyitol gum is popular as it cannot be digested by oral bacteria so it helps prevent cavities. Brands like Trident, Ice Breakers, and Spry make xylitol gum.
- Mints – again the dental health benefits make xylitol a popular choice for sugar-free mints.
- Peanut butter – brands like Nuts ‘N More use xylitol as the primary sweetener.
- Jams and jellies – often combined with another non-nutritive sweetener for optimal taste.
- Chocolate – xylitol is sometimes found in sugar-free chocolate and chocolate syrup.
- Baked goods – xylitol can replace sugar in recipes for sugar-free baked goods.
- Gummy bears and candy – some sugar-free gummy candies use xylitol.
- Yogurt – a few brands offer xylitol sweetened yogurt options.
- Ice cream and frozen desserts – can be made with xylitol instead of sugar.
- Nut butters – in addition to peanut butter, some almond and cashew butters also use xylitol.
Always check the label when looking for products containing xylitol, as the amount can vary widely between brands and products.
Benefits and Safety of Xylitol
There are several proposed health benefits associated with xylitol:
- Dental health: Xylitol prevents the growth of the bacteria that cause cavities and can even reverse early stage tooth decay.
- Blood sugar control: The minimal effect of xylitol on blood sugar makes it attractive for people with diabetes or those limiting sugar intake.
- Weight control: Products sweetened with xylitol rather than sugar can help reduce overall calorie intake.
- Ear, nose, and throat health: Some evidence shows xylitol nasal spray and lozenges can help prevent ear infections and sinusitis.
However, xylitol does have some risks and side effects to be aware of:
- Gastrointestinal side effects like gas, bloating and diarrhea are common when consuming large amounts of xylitol.
- Consuming over 50 grams per day can cause diarrhea or digestive distress.
- Xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs. Even small amounts can cause low blood sugar, seizures, liver damage or even death in canines.
So xylitol appears to be a good sugar substitute with several health benefits in humans, as long as consumption is moderated to under 50 grams per day. But it should be kept well away from dogs.
Ingredients List for Sugar Free Cool Whip
Now that we have reviewed some background details on xylitol, let’s examine the actual ingredients list for sugar free Cool Whip:
Ingredients: Water, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (Coconut And Palm Kernel Oils), Less Than 2% Of Sodium Caseinate (A Milk Derivative)**, Natural And Artificial Flavor, Xanthan And Guar Gums, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Monostearate, Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium, Beta Carotene (For Color).
The two main sweeteners listed are sucralose and acesulfame potassium. Sucralose (also known as Splenda) is an artificial sweetener made by chlorinating sugar. Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) is another artificial sweetener that is often combined with sucralose in products.
Neither of these sweeteners is xylitol. So xylitol is not listed among the ingredients for sugar free Cool Whip.
Why Xylitol is Not Used in Cool Whip
There are a few likely reasons why Cool Whip opts to use sucralose and acesulfame potassium rather than xylitol in their sugar free version:
- Taste – Sucralose and Ace-K provide maximum sweetness without bitter aftertaste. Xylitol has more of a “cooling” sensation on the tongue.
- Cost – Artificial sweeteners tend to be cheaper than xylitol.
- Texture – Xylitol does not provide the same texture or bulking properties as Cool Whip needs for its whipped topping.
- Safety – Large doses of xylitol can cause GI side effects, so sucralose and Ace-K avoid this issue.
- Prevalence of use – Sucralose and acesulfame potassium are two of the most widely used sweeteners in processed foods.
For a product like Cool Whip that needs to mimic the texture and mouthfeel of whipped cream, xylitol does not provide the ideal characteristics. The combination of sucralose and Ace-K gives maximum sweetness without the potential for digestive issues at high doses. So for taste, cost, and safety reasons, Cool Whip opted not to use xylitol in their sugar free whipped topping.
What About Other Sugar Free Whipped Topping Brands?
To complete our investigation, let’s take a quick look at some other popular sugar free whipped toppings besides Cool Whip and see if any of them contain xylitol:
| Brand | Sweeteners Used | Xylitol? |
|---|---|---|
| Reddi Wip Sugar Free | Acesulfame potassium, sucralose | No |
| Truwhip Sugar Free | Sucralose, acesulfame potassium | No |
| Land O’Lakes Whipped Topping | Sucralose, acesulfame potassium | No |
The same pattern is seen across the major brands – sucralose and Ace-K are used for sweetening, while xylitol is not found in any of the mainstream sugar free whipped topping products.
The Verdict: No Xylitol in Sugar Free Cool Whip
After thoroughly examining the ingredients list, typical use of xylitol in foods, and other sugar free whipped topping brands, we can definitively conclude that there is no xylitol in sugar free Cool Whip.
Cool Whip opts to use sucralose and acesulfame potassium rather than xylitol for sweetening their sugar free whipped topping. This gives the best taste, texture and avoids potential digestive issues from large amounts of xylitol. Other major whipped topping brands also do not contain xylitol.
So in summary:
- Xylitol is a sugar alcohol sometimes used as a sweetener in sugar-free foods.
- It provides dental health benefits and minimal blood sugar impact.
- But large amounts can cause digestive issues in some people.
- Sugar free Cool Whip is sweetened with sucralose and acesulfame potassium, not xylitol.
- No major brand of sugar free whipped topping uses xylitol.
Therefore, despite the health benefits it provides, you will not find xylitol listed in the ingredients for sugar free Cool Whip or other similar whipped toppings. Sucralose and Ace-K are used to provide the desired sweetness without potential GI side effects.
References
1. Cool Whip Nutrition Facts. https://www.kraftheinz-foodservice.com/product/0002100066040/COOL-WHIP-Original-Frozen-Whipped-Topping-7-oz-Cup-6-Cups-Case-0002100066040
2. Xylitol Overview. International Food Information Council. https://foodinsight.org/xylitol-overview/
3. Xylitol: Benefits and Side Effects. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/xylitol-benefits-and-side-effects
4. Sucralose. UCSF SugarScience. https://sugarscience.ucsf.edu/sucralose/
5. Acesulfame Potassium. UCSF SugarScience. https://sugarscience.ucsf.edu/acesulfame-potassium/
