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Many folks on the low FODMAP diet wonder if they can chew gum, pop a breath mint, or suck on a cough drop. The simple answer is yes! You can. However, you need to really pay attention to which products you choose as many contain high FODMAP ingredients.

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One of my standing questions during initial consults for FODMAP education is: “Do you chew gum or regularly enjoy mints or cough drops?”. If the answer is yes, then it’s a good idea to check your favorite brands to ensure they fit the bill.

Personally, I have battled IBS for more than 20 years and, over that time, have come to identify many unforeseen triggers. Sadly, I discovered sugar-free gum was a BIG culprit in my late 20s. Boy was I disappointed when I learned of this. Sugar alcohols have been on my avoid list ever since, and I have read a LOT of labels to ensure they are not accidentally consumed. Hopefully, this article helps you discover your favorite low FODMAP gum, mint, or cough drop, while providing sound label reading advice for the products you currently enjoy.

After reviewing the literature, I could not find any evidence-based research stating that one should avoid or limit the consumption of chewing gum, mints, or cough drops while on the low FODMAP diet. However, some sensitive individuals may experience increased aerophagia (swallowing of air), which may lead to bloating, abdominal distention, and abdominal pain. These unpleasant side effects may also occur when consuming carbonated beverages and smoking.

Feel free to experiment with your favorite low FODMAP mint, gum, or cough drop — just be sure to test your personal tolerance when symptoms are well managed if you have concerns or have reacted negatively in the past.

So what is gum actually made from? Originally, gum was made from tree sap, however this is rarely the case now as many gum manufacturers use synthetic rubbers. Gum is non-digestible, meaning it passes through the GI tract without being absorbed or fermented (even if you accidentally swallow it). Low FODMAP ingredients such as resins, softeners, and preservatives are often added to help bind, add texture, and increase shelf-life, however these are not FODMAPs. Sweeteners are often added and here lies the problem.

I think it is safe to say that all sugar-free gums, mints, and cough drops contain one or more of the followingn sugar alcohols: mannitol, lactitol, sorbitol, maltitol, isomalt, erythritol, and xylitol.

Sugar alcohols are polyols or the “P” in FODMAP. They are poorly absorbed and can often result in bloating and diarrhea due to their osmotic effects.You may even notice that some sugar-free products come with the warning: “This product may have a laxative effect.”

These innocent little things have potential to wreak havoc in the digestive tract in those with IBS and even healthy individuals. Erythritol is less likely to trigger IBS compared to the others as it is better absorbed, however it is encouraged to avoid or test tolerance with a small serving when symptoms are under control.

The good news is that sugar is low FODMAP, meaning sugar-sweetened gums, mints, and cough drops are probably low FODMAP, unless other high FODMAP ingredients were added such as fructose. There are a whole slew of sugar-sweetened options available at grocery stores, both conventional and natural.