Chewing Gum

[curiousgirl]

Geeeezzzz! I've been wondering why I've been feeling so bad...like I've been glutened! Here are the ingredients of Flare 5 gum a friend gave me. "Natural and artificial flavors" concerns me. Anything else obvious?

SORBITOL, GUM BASE, GLYCEROL, MANNITOL, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, LESS THAN 2% OF HYDROGENATED STARCH HYDROLYSATE, ASPARTAME, ACESULFAME K, SOY LECITHIN, BHT (TO MAINTAIN FRESHNESS), COLORS (BLUE 1 LAKE, BLUE 1, RED 40).PHENYLKETONURICS: CONTAINS PHENYLALANINE.

[cassP]

Geeeezzzz! I've been wondering why I've been feeling so bad...like I've been glutened! Here are the ingredients of Flare 5 gum a friend gave me. "Natural and artificial flavors" concerns me. Anything else obvious?

SORBITOL, GUM BASE, GLYCEROL, MANNITOL, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, LESS THAN 2% OF HYDROGENATED STARCH HYDROLYSATE, ASPARTAME, ACESULFAME K, SOY LECITHIN, BHT (TO MAINTAIN FRESHNESS), COLORS (BLUE 1 LAKE, BLUE 1, RED 40).PHENYLKETONURICS: CONTAINS PHENYLALANINE.

im sure a moderator will help clear this up for us.

the starch is suspicious, but it could be from corn.??

also- a lot of us get intestinal gurgles from Sorbitol and Mannitol

ive actually been getting more natural gum from whole foods that is also labeled gluten free... it's been a better experience for me.

[Kim27]

I use 5 brand , all flavors w no problems. I've seen them all on a gluten-free candy list.

[curiousgirl]

Thanks...so sorbitol, manitol, etc., aren't necessarily gluten, but more of an allergen?

[cassP]

Thanks...so sorbitol, manitol, etc., aren't necessarily gluten, but more of an allergen?

they're sugars that are hard for many to digest. they give me horrible bloating & gas... also all those fake sugars in diabetic foods- like malitol

no, they're not gluten

i think sorbitol is a corn by product?? idk

[Kim27]

5 is actually my favorite brand. They do have SOY in them, if soy is a problem for you. Just a thought.

[Skylark]

Thanks...so sorbitol, manitol, etc., aren't necessarily gluten, but more of an allergen?

Neither. They are poorly absorbed sugar alcohols and can act as osmotic laxatives, pulling water into the intestine. They can also feed gut bacteria, which can cause bloating and gas.

Sugar sweetened gum might be a better choice for you.

[Skylark]

I hate when my browser glitches and double posts. *sigh*

[curiousgirl]

Thanks everyone! As far as I know, I'm not allergic to soy or dairy...all I'm dealing with is the gluten...one thing at a time. But, as they say, once I get the gluten out of my system, I seem to be noticing other issues (i.e., gum) that might be allergies rather than gluten. I may have noticed that with whatever is in the gum, I have a different reaction...more of a "cold" type feeling...runny nose, sneezing, blah blah blah. With gluten, I see to feel more flu-like...achy muscles, really tired, and depressed.

[Charlie's Girl]

Hmmmm. I read somewhere- I think maybe Dr. Galland- that cinnamon gum helps an upset tummy so I have been chewing Big Red for several years now whenever I start to feel random nausea. And it works. Actually, it works really well for me. Guess it stimulates your digestion.

I was visiting a friend who lived off espresso from the moment he arrived at his restaurant- around 6 AM- until 11 AM, sometimes, noon, sometimes later. He had horrible acid tummy. Gave him some gum and he is a convert.

Big Red is the only brand that works for me. I feel like a cow somedays.