When choosing a cough syrup, it is important to consider whether you want or need a sugar free option. Many people prefer sugar free cough syrups for a variety of reasons. Sugar free cough syrups may be preferred by people with diabetes, prediabetes, or those limiting sugar for other health reasons. They can also be helpful for reducing calories and carbohydrates. Some find the taste of sugar free cough syrups more pleasant as well. Understanding your options for sugar free cough syrup can help you find the right product to help relieve your cough symptoms.
Why Choose Sugar Free Cough Syrup?
There are several potential benefits to using sugar free cough syrup instead of traditional cough syrups that contain sugar:
- May be better for managing diabetes or prediabetes
- Lower in calories and carbohydrates
- Less likely to cause dental issues like cavities
- May have a taste some find more pleasant
- Avoid spikes in blood sugar levels
For people with diabetes or prediabetes, minimizing sources of sugar in the diet is key to managing blood sugar levels. Consuming sugar free cough syrup reduces carbohydrate intake and blood sugar impact compared to sugary varieties. Even for those without blood sugar concerns, limiting added sugars is recommended to support overall health.
Traditional cough syrups contain high amounts of added sugar, with around 20-30g per serving. Going sugar free saves you those calories and carbs. Less sugar means less chance for cavities as well. Some also prefer the taste of sugar free cough syrup over the very sweet flavored regular types.
Opting for a sugar free cough syrup allows you to treat your cough without spiking blood sugar levels. This makes it the smarter choice for many people. But be sure to check the label for artificial sweeteners used in place of sugar.
Common Sugar Substitutes in Sugar Free Cough Syrup
When you go sugar free with cough syrup, manufacturers will replace the sugar with non-nutritive sweeteners. Some common sweeteners used include:
- Aspartame
- Acesulfame potassium
- Sucralose
- Saccharin
- Stevia
- Xylitol
Aspartame, also known as Equal and NutraSweet, is one of the more common sugar substitutes used in sugar free cough syrups. It provides sweetness without calories or carbohydrates. Acesulfame potassium, also called Ace-K, is another frequently used sweetener providing zero calories.
Splenda is the brand name for sucralose, a popular non-nutritive sweetener with no calories. Saccharin, sold as Sweet’N Low, offers sweetness to cough syrup without sugar or calories as well. Stevia leaf extract is a natural sweetener sometimes used in sugar free formulas.
Sugar alcohols like xylitol can be used too. Xylitol has around half the calories of sugar while reducing sugar content. When reviewing products, check the ingredients list for which sweeteners are used if you want to avoid certain ones.
Popular Brands of Sugar Free Cough Syrup
Many major brands now offer sugar free cough syrup options alongside their regular offerings. Some popular sugar free cough syrups include:
- Robitussin Sugar Free Cough, Chest Congestion & Sore Throat
- Vicks Sugar Free Cough Suppressant
- Delsym Sugar Free Cough + Chest Congestion
- Mucinex Sugar Free DM Maximum Strength
- Walgreens Sugar Free DM Cough Syrup
- CVS Health Sugar Free DM Cough Relief
Robitussin, Vicks, Delsym, and Mucinex all make sugar free varieties of their popular cough syrup formulas. Store brands like Walgreens and CVS Health also offer sugar free options for cough and cold relief.
These contain combinations of cough suppressants, expectorants, antihistamines, and decongestants to target cough as well as other symptoms. Be sure to read the active ingredient list to know what the cough syrup will treat.
What to Look for When Selecting Sugar Free Cough Syrup
When comparing sugar free cough syrups, here are some helpful criteria to consider:
- Symptoms treated – cough only, multi-symptom, etc.
- Active ingredients like dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, diphenhydramine
- Amount or strength of active ingredients
- Formulation type – liquid, softgels, syrup, spray, etc.
- Age appropriateness – children’s or adult
- Presence of dyes, flavors, or preservatives if concerned
- Sweetener type used if you want to avoid specific ones
Think about what symptoms you need to address and choose products with active ingredients that target those areas. Compare strength or dosage of the active ingredients as well. Sugar free cough syrup comes in softgels, liquids, sprays, and other forms too.
Make sure to choose a children’s cough syrup for kids and an adult one for older children and adults. Check the sweetener used if you have a preference. Also look at additional ingredients like dyes, flavors, and preservatives if you like to avoid those.
Homemade Sugar Free Cough Syrup Recipes
It is also possible to make your own homemade sugar free cough syrup using ingredients you likely have at home already.
Here are a couple straightforward sugar free cough syrup recipes to consider trying:
Honey Lemon Cough Syrup
Ingredients:
- 2 lemons
- 1⁄2 cup honey
- 1⁄2 cup warm water
Directions:
- Juice the lemons into a glass measuring cup. You need 1⁄4 cup lemon juice.
- Add the honey and warm water to the lemon juice.
- Whisk together until well blended.
- Transfer to a glass bottle or jar. Store in the fridge up to 2 weeks.
The honey adds natural sweetness without refined sugar. The lemon and honey work together to help soothe your throat and quiet coughs.
Berry Sage Cough Syrup
Ingredients:
- 1 cup fresh or frozen berries
- 2 tablespoons fresh sage or 1 teaspoon dried sage
- 1⁄4 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 cup warm water
Directions:
- In a small saucepan, combine the berries, sage, honey, lemon juice and 1⁄2 cup of the warm water. Heat over medium, stirring frequently, until simmering. Remove from heat.
- Once mixture has cooled slightly, use a spoon to mash the berries well. Then stir in remaining 1⁄2 cup warm water.
- Strain syrup through a fine mesh sieve into a glass bottle or jar. Press berries to extract liquid. Discard solids.
- Store in the fridge up to 2 weeks.
The berries provide vitamin C while the sage supplies cough-calming effects. Sweetened with honey instead of sugar. Use any berry you prefer.
Are Sugar Free Cough Syrups Effective?
Sugar free cough syrups are just as effective as sugary types when it comes to treating coughs and other cold symptoms. The active ingredients that target coughing and congestion work the same whether sugar is present or not.
Sugar simply adds flavor and sweetness, but does not affect how well the active ingredients work. As long as you choose a cough syrup with effective medications for your symptoms, going sugar free will not make it less helpful for cough and congestion relief.
Risks and Side Effects of Sugar Free Cough Syrup
While sugar free cough syrups offer benefits for many people, there are some risks and side effects to know. These include:
- Allergic reactions – allergies to artificial sweeteners and other ingredients can sometimes occur and may cause hives, swelling, or trouble breathing
- Medication interactions – active ingredients like dextromethorphan can interact with antidepressants, seizure medications, and others
- Unpleasant taste – some find the taste of artificial sweeteners unpleasant
- Stomach upset – sugar alcohols and sweeteners may cause bloating, gas, or diarrhea
- Drowsiness – antihistamines and cough suppressants can cause drowsiness as a side effect
Those with sensitivities or allergies to specific sweeteners should check labels carefully and avoid consuming those. Speak to your doctor about potential medication interactions if you take other prescriptions. Sugar alcohols and sweeteners may cause digestive upset in some people.
As with regular cough syrup, the active ingredients can lead to side effects like sleepiness. Carefully follow dosing instructions provided.
Who Should Avoid Sugar Free Cough Syrup?
There are some situations in which sugar free cough syrup may not be appropriate or could require caution:
- Children under 2 – not recommended due to sweetener concerns
- Pregnancy – speak to a doctor first if pregnant
- Breastfeeding – talk to a doctor if nursing
- Interactions with medications – ask your doctor
- With intestinal conditions like IBS
- If allergic to any ingredients
Children under age 2 should not have cough medicine with artificial sweeteners. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult their physician prior to use. Those taking other medications need to verify no negative interactions.
Individuals with IBS or other intestinal conditions may be more prone to gastrointestinal effects from sugar substitutes. Anyone allergic to specific artificial sweeteners or other ingredients should avoid products containing those.
Conclusion
Sugar free cough syrups provide an option for effectively treating coughs without unwanted sugar. They offer potential benefits for those managing diabetes, limiting calories or carbs, and who want to avoid dental issues like cavities.
Major brands like Robitussin, Vicks, Mucinex and more make sugar free formulas using sweeteners like aspartame, sucralose, and stevia in place of sugar. You can also make healthy homemade versions with ingredients like honey, lemon, berries, and herbs.
While sugar free cough syrup works just as well for cough relief, some downsides are possible like unpleasant taste or stomach upset for some. Those with allergies, taking medications, or with conditions like pregnancy or IBS may require caution.
Overall, consulting with your doctor and carefully reading ingredient labels allows you to determine if a sugar free cough syrup is the right choice to effectively treat your cough without added sugars.
