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Home » Nutrition » Nutrition Hot Topics

April 28, 2019 (Updated August 8, 2020)

The Sneaky Thing That Might Be Causing Your Stomach Pain

by Anne Mauney, MPH, RD

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Since starting my nutrition counseling practice (AnneTheRD.com) back in 2013, I’ve had a lot of clients come to me for help with stomach pain and bloating.

For some of these clients, solving their problems involves a diet change (for example, the low FODMAPs diet), looking more seriously at stress, or something else entirely that I can’t help them with.

But for a few of these clients, the solution was much simpler.

For example, about a year ago, I had a client come to me with severe stomach pain and bloating.

She had been dealing with it for about nearly a year, she said, and it usually got worse throughout the day. She had been to GI specialists but no one could figure out what was wrong.

She came to me thinking that perhaps diet might be the culprit.

Before taking a look at what she was eating, I asked one question: “Do you chew a lot of sugar-free gum?”

She was surprised, but answered, “Yes, a ton. All day.”

chewing-gum-115162_1280

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The more we talked, she realized that she had started chewing sugar-free gum about the same time that her stomach pains had started.

I suggested that before we talk further, she cut out the sugar-free gum and let me know how it went.

Sure enough, and a few days later she reached out and told me her stomach pain had 100% resolved.

I used to chew a TON of sugar-free gum myself.

In college and my early 20’s, I was constantly chewing gum. I always had a pack of it in my purse or backpack; it was strangely addictive. I chewed gum while in class, after meals, before going out, while at my desk job – you name it.

I remember having stomach problems around the same time.

Usually sharp pain and bloating that, like my client’s, got worse throughout the day.

It didn’t happen every single day and it wasn’t crazy severe, but it started to get more and more frequent when I was in my early 20’s, to the point where I wanted to try to do something about it.

One day, I was looking around online when I came across an article that mentioned sugar-free gum can sometimes cause stomach pain/bloating.

“No way,” I thought. Could that be what was making my stomach hurt?

I had always assumed it was what I was eating – maybe that I was eating too much, or not the right things.

Too little fiber, or too much fiber, or too little water, or too much…? – as I’m sure you guys know, it’s easy to drive yourself crazy self-diagnosing on the internet, and this was well before I went back to school to study nutrition.

I figured I had nothing to lose, so that day, I quit sugar-free gum cold turkey.

Low and behold: away went the stomach pain, pretty much immediately.

It wasn’t until years later, in school to become a dietitian, that I discovered WHY the sugar-free gum was making my stomach hurt so much.

There are two main reasons that sugar-free gum in particular can cause stomach pain. The first is that you naturally swallow a lot of air while chewing gum.

But the second, and arguably main reason, is the presence of sugar alcohols.

If an item is labeled sugar-free, whether it is gum or another product, that usually means it contains either artificial sweeteners or natural low- or no-calorie sweeteners. In the case of sugar-free gum, it usually contains sugar alcohols.

Sugar alcohols, which are a form of carbohydrate that are not very well digested, are a common cause of upset stomach, particularly when consumed in high amounts.

The easiest way to spot sugar alcohols on an ingredient list is to look for the –ol ending – not all end in –ol, but the majority of them do.

The names of some of the most common sugar alcohols that you’ll probably recognize from packages are xylitol, mannitol, sorbitol, maltitol, and erythritol.

Sugar alcohols are often used in gum for a number of reasons.

First, due to the fact that they are slowly and incompletely absorbed in the body, they contain fewer calories and won’t cause as much of a blood sugar rise and subsequent insulin response as regular sugar.

Second, dentists like them better than regular sugar because the bacteria in the mouth don’t act upon them, meaning sugar alcohols aren’t going to contribute to tooth decay/cavities. Xylitol in particular has even been found to inhibit oral bacteria.

sugar-485055_1280

The reason sugar alcohols can lead to stomach issues is due to the fact that they are not very well absorbed/digested by the body.

Some of the sugar alcohols will pass into the bloodstream, but the majority will travel on through the intestines unabsorbed.

Once in the intestinal tract, the sugar alcohol will meet bacteria that ferment it, releasing gas, which leads to bloating, cramps, pain, and/or diarrhea. It’s similar to what happens when someone who is lactose intolerant eats something with lactose.

Obviously, stomach pain/bloating and GI issues can occur for a multitude of reasons, and if you are struggling with similar issues it may be something else entirely.

That said, this is still something I’ve been meaning to write about for awhile as I thought it might help some of you.

If you’re having stomach issues and consuming a lot of sugar-free products, gum or otherwise, give some thought to cutting them out to see if it helps. Nothing to lose, right? 🙂

Besides sugar-free gum, you’ll also often find sugar alcohols in sugar-free versions of candy, frozen desserts, chocolate, diet/low-calorie packaged products, and baked goods.

Sugar alcohols can also sometimes be present in mouthwash, toothpaste, and multivitamins, but those sorts of products generally don’t contain a high enough concentration to cause any issues.

Any other recovering sugar-free gum addicts out there?

Like nutrition-related hot topic posts? Here are some others you might like then, too:

  • Should Everyone Go Gluten Free?
  • Why the Low Fat and Cholesterol Diet Craze was a Huge Fail (still ordering fat free lattes and eating egg whites? read this)
  • 7 Common Nutrition Myths (that you shouldn’t be fooled by!)
  • How to Get Rid of Sugar Cravings
- anne
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What Causes Sugar Cravings (+ How to Stop Them!)

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Why I Don’t Recommend Whole30

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116 comments
  • Whitney April 28, 2015 · 4:17PM:
    Love this! I am an RD also and have found this to be a sneaky little culprit for both my clients and friends.
    Reply
    • Jeff March 5, 2019 · 10:28AM:
      I have had stomach pain and diarrhea for the last three months. Our home water plant sent out a notice that a high level of THM was present in the water, so I assumed it was the water. Maybe? Today I read this article on sugars in candy. I eat Life Savers butter Rum all day long, for years. Recently they have had a fermented taste when you first put them in your mouth, and then it taste fine after that. I don't know if anyone else has had problems with the Butter Rum Life Savers,but I would bet there is. jt
      Reply
    • Devin August 1, 2019 · 11:17AM:
      I had the same issue. Chewed lots of sugar free gum for years with no issue, then suddenly developed severe cramping and diarrhea. Directly related to the gum. Finally found one sugar free gum that does not contain sorbitol: Icebreakers. Can chew it without issues.
      Reply
      • Jim C. January 22, 2020 · 3:22PM:
        Hmmm, that's interesting, because Icebreakers are what brought me to this article. Icebreakers mints contain both sorbitol and maltitol as the first ingredients - gas city! I guess maybe the gum is different.
        Reply
  • Cara
    April 28, 2015 · 4:20PM:
    NOOOOOOOOOOO! I so didn't want to read this....I think if I gave it up I would gain 10 pounds lol......
    Reply
  • Nicole W April 28, 2015 · 4:26PM:
    YESSSS- I gave up chewing gum years ago bc it made my stomach hurt so badly! People look at me like I am crazy when I tell them why I don't chew gum!
    Reply
    • Sovanny December 15, 2018 · 10:30PM:
      Years ago I noticed chewing gum hurt my stomach so I hardly ever chew gum. When I do to freshen my breath quickly, I chew half piece of gum and for only a couple of minutes. No gum is best. Thanks for the informative article. Now I know why gum hurts my tummy.
      Reply
  • Nikki
    April 28, 2015 · 4:31PM:
    I wish I'd found this article about 5 years ago -- that's when, after years of chewing sugar-free gum (and eating sugar-free candy), I finally realized the effect sorbitol has on my stomach. I avoid it like the plague these days! Thanks for sharing, though, hopefully you save someone else some pain!
    Reply
    • Chere D Thompson April 22, 2016 · 1:15PM:
      The aspartame in sugar fee gum and candy is also really hard on the stomache. I have found this same problem in sugared gums as well. I have IBS and it makes the IBS worse and causes bad stomache cramps. If I chew one piece. I am okay, more then that, not so much, and found it is not really worth it. My stomach pain came on very suddenly and was really painful. I just blaimed it on the IBS until I realized what it really was. And not only does it cause stomach problems also can give you a headache.
      Reply
      • Anne
        April 22, 2016 · 1:29PM:
        Glad to see you found out what the problem was for you!
        Reply
    • Lauren F August 29, 2016 · 10:16AM:
      How long did it take to notice a difference?
      Reply
  • Amanda @ Slimplify Life
    April 28, 2015 · 4:42PM:
    CCA - Chain Chewers Anonymous - Hi, I'm Amanda, and I am a chain chewer. I gave up gum cold turkey a few months back and really did notice a difference! Though, I do have to admit, it slowly has come back into my life because sometimes it is the exact thing I need when I am craving something sweet at night but don't really need the food.
    Reply
    • Anne
      April 28, 2015 · 4:59PM:
      Lol to CCA! Glad you're feeling better. For nighttime sweetness, I find flavored tea can help! :)
      Reply
      • Tracie August 20, 2018 · 3:43PM:
        I am on medication that causes severe dry mouth. I have been using Xylimelts because they melt slowly, takes about 4 hrs. and help so I am not awakened by seriously dry mouth. I also would occasionally chew sugar free gum or suck on a sugar free Jolly Rancher, after I brushed my teeth for the night. I have been having a lot of gas and stomach pain. I guess I will have to cut back or quit. Biotene products didn't help me at all. I cant drink too much to combat thirst all night, I have to wake up to pee several times a night already. I cant afford any more cavities.
        Reply
        • Patricia Cartwright
          November 6, 2019 · 6:28PM:
          Hi,I also use Xylimelts at night.I also was chewing sugar free gum with xylitol,the cramping in my stomach was awful. I have not had any gum for 3 days and am feeling better but,my lower left abdomen feels tender. A few time I was doubled over with pain.
          Reply
  • Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona
    April 28, 2015 · 4:59PM:
    I never would have thought gum could cause so much trouble!
    Reply
  • Hillary | Nutrition Nut on the Run
    April 28, 2015 · 5:04PM:
    I recently (like this week) started chewing gum again and my stomach has not been feeling good. Thanks for the reminder of WHY I don't need gum. Mints to the rescue. Plus, I hate consuming artificial ingredients.
    Reply
  • Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment
    April 28, 2015 · 7:47PM:
    I was never an addict, but I certainly chewed my fair share! I now chew spree which I buy Whole Foods and use on occassion.
    Reply
  • Gretchen April 28, 2015 · 8:02PM:
    I used to chew so much gum, too, especially in college and right after. Then I met my husband, who is allergic to aspartame. Several months after we started dating, he finally told me that he didn't understand how I could be so health conscious but still chew a bunch of gum with artificial sweeteners all the time...and I finally gave it up! For months afterward, I would have these recurring dreams where I would chew gum and not be able to handle the taste of the aspartame anymore...I haven't actually tried gum since to see if I would notice the taste that much in real life, though!
    Reply
  • Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday
    April 28, 2015 · 10:36PM:
    My junior year of high school, I could easily go through a pack of gum in two days! I started feeling the adverse effects, though, and when I realized gum could be the culprit, I cut it out cold turkey. I still had (and have) stomach issues, but cutting gum out helped a lot. I still chew it sometimes because it helps me focus, but I definitely find that if I start having more than usual, my stomach feels the consequences. So then I try to cut back a little more :)
    Reply
  • Ash Diamond
    April 29, 2015 · 3:14AM:
    Such a great post which I am going to share with friends and family! I gave up sugar-free gum a few years ago but never realized quite how bad it was. Too bad I chewed it obsessively through college and my 20s!
    Reply
  • Nikki April 29, 2015 · 8:15AM:
    I chew several pieces of gum a day but not sugar free. I eat healthy and hardly eat any sweets so for me regular gum is okay,
    Reply
  • Erin April 29, 2015 · 9:27AM:
    This doesn't surprise me at all. The only low calorie sweetener my stomach can handle is stevia. I know sucraolse (Spelnda) is not a sugar alcohol, but any idea why it bothers my stomach? After realizing that artificial sweeteners were upsetting my stomach, I thought long and hard abut what I put into my body. I have switched to a (mostly) whole foods diet and have felt better ever since!
    Reply
    • Anne
      April 29, 2015 · 10:27AM:
      Splenda/sucralose is similar in that it is calorie-free because it doesn't get absorbed/digested by the body. So the stomach issues are likely for similar reasons I described in this post! Glad you're feeling better!
      Reply
    • Chere D Thompson April 22, 2016 · 1:50PM:
      I can't do Stevia at all. I have never had so much pain in my stomach as I did after I ate Stevia, and I didn't even eat that much. my Chiropractor said I am sensitive to it and need to stay way from it. And it amazes me how many products they are starting to put Stevia into. I am already limited I don't need any help from these food companies
      Reply
  • Renae L. April 29, 2015 · 12:14PM:
    Kinda wish I hadn't just bought an 18 pack of gum from Costco... It would be hard for me to give up gum mostly because I'm so scared of having bad breath. Maybe I had too many teachers with bad coffee breath in my lifetime. I'd be interested in hearing from some of you who quit chewing gum for tips on how to keep fresh breath throughout the day!
    Reply
    • Anne
      April 29, 2015 · 1:44PM:
      Just keep a travel toothbrush and toothpaste in your purse/bag - problem solved. :)
      Reply
  • Beth Rosen, MS, RD @ Goodness Gracious Living
    April 29, 2015 · 1:59PM:
    So true, Anne! I recently taught a class on becoming sugar savvy and I used a Quaker Chewy Granola Bar as an example. Not only were there 17 sources of added sugar in one bar (!), but one of those additions was sorbitol. Sugar alcohol use by manufactures may increase as artificial sweeteners become more vilified (ie Pepsi pulling Nutrasweet from their diet soda). Thanks for a great article.
    Reply
    • Anne
      April 29, 2015 · 2:48PM:
      17?! That's insane!
      Reply
  • Gina Maslow April 29, 2015 · 2:07PM:
    Thanks for getting out the word! I have always known the issue with the alcohols in sugarless gum and they always cause major gas! I have something called Burning Mouth Syndrome and as you might guess, my oral cavity always has a metallic, burning taste. So I chew gum to alleviate. I've searched high and low for sugarless gum that does not contain xylitol but no luck. One of those syndromes that will not kill me but certainly affects my quality of life. sigh.....
    Reply
    • Anne
      April 29, 2015 · 2:48PM:
      Oh gosh, I'm so sorry to hear that! I hope they make some xylitol-free gum alternatives for you soon!
      Reply
      • gwetoyking February 2, 2016 · 2:42PM:
        Greetings - and what's wrong with "regular" gum? The small amount of sugar in regular gum isn't going to make your teeth fall out (brush your teeth after chewing the gum or, at least, rinse with water), nor is it going to turn you into a blimp (just cut down on donuts, etc.). Cheers, Gary.
        Reply
        • Anne
          February 2, 2016 · 4:26PM:
          I still avoid gum, even the regular kind, because the ingredient list is full of all sorts of not so great additives. It's your decision though - do what works for you!
          Reply
        • Chere D Thompson April 22, 2016 · 1:55PM:
          They are both hard on your stomach. Trust me I know. Used to only chew sugarless, and to quit chewing gum because it gave me bad stomach aches. Figured out it was the aspartame so switch to double bubble which is just a sugared gum, and just recently the stomach pains started. The other thing I noticed is how rubbery it is. Kinda gross
          Reply
    • Brandi April 7, 2016 · 11:58PM:
      Hi Gina, I don't know if you will ever see this, but this article indicates a woman with the same syndrome and it was caused by HSV-1 (the virus that causes cold sores, which most people carry but have no symptoms). She had no cold sores, but her saliva was full of the virus particles. Maybe, if you haven't already, you could have your doc test you to see if that's the cause. I hope you get some relief! http://www.livescience.com/50455-burning-mouth-syndrome-herpes.html
      Reply
  • Sarah April 29, 2015 · 8:38PM:
    I struggled with GI upset for YEARS, thinking I had everything form lactose to gluten intolerance, and nothing seemed to make a difference until I cut out sugar alcohols. I am not a gum chewer and never have been, but I consumed sugar alcohols in numerous food and drink items. Since I have made this change my GI issues have virtually disappeared. I actually thought cutting out soy was the key for me, but after reading your post tonight I realize it was the artificial sweeteners!! So THANK YOU!
    Reply
    • Anne
      April 29, 2015 · 8:51PM:
      Yay, I'm so happy to hear that you're feeling better!
      Reply
  • Amy April 29, 2015 · 9:29PM:
    Awesome post, I love your posts like this! Would you consider doing one about FODMAPS? I know you mentioned your thesis in grad school was on it
    Reply
    • Anne
      April 30, 2015 · 10:38AM:
      Glad you enjoyed it! Regarding FODMAPs, probably not, because I'm not sure I could boil it down into one post. I thought about writing a post about it after I finished my masters paper, but I was so burned out on it by that point I didn't want to. ;) Also, I don't want to encourage people to do the "Dr. Google" kind of self-diagnosis that can happen when reading about things like that... that said, I'll keep your request in mind! Thanks for reading! :)
      Reply
      • Chere D Thompson April 22, 2016 · 2:04PM:
        I am done some research on FODMAPs. I think it is very over whelming. I have IBS, and gluten free, corn free, dairy free and just limited in general, so looking at stuff like that for me is overwhelming. I live on a pretty bland boring diet, but never know what to eat any more. I was doing really good for a while until I started having horrible stomach problems and had my gallbladder removed, then 6 months later needed another surgery. My stomach is just not happy.
        Reply
  • Roadrunner April 29, 2015 · 10:49PM:
    Very, very interesting. Thanks!
    Reply
  • Andrea May 1, 2015 · 11:21AM:
    I am so addicted to sugar free gum and desperately want to quit!!! I have tried so many times but I honestly can't do it. It's like going through withdrawal. Any suggestions on how to wean myself? I have tried brushing my teeth after meals, chewing on straws, drinking tea. I am an addict! I would so appreciate any tips. Thank you so much.
    Reply
    • Anne
      May 1, 2015 · 11:23AM:
      For me, it was all about not wanting my stomach to hurt anymore, so that outweighed the addiction, I think! I also stopped buying it/keeping it in my purse, so it would have been a lot of effort to go buy some when I wanted it. Maybe see if Google has any tips? Good luck!!
      Reply
    • Jessica Whitehurst January 17, 2019 · 10:21PM:
      I have the same problem. I’ve been chewing nicotine gum for years, and suffer through the stomach issues.
      Reply
  • Emma Hammond May 3, 2015 · 7:28AM:
    Love this post! I recently discovered the exact same thing. Bloating & stomach issues & it's definitely linked to my sugar free gum chewing. Tried cutting back but know I need to stop all together. Has sadly been harder than I thought. Habits!
    Reply
  • Bri
    May 4, 2015 · 9:02AM:
    Yes! Gum, eating too fast, and anything dairy kills me. I also found out my birth control pill made it hard for me to digest things (once I stopped taking them my stomach problems went away... but then I had to go back on and my issues are back :***( )
    Reply
    • Chere D Thompson April 22, 2016 · 2:06PM:
      Are you serious? I wonder if that could be part of my problem. Interesting I have never heard that before. I will have to look into that.
      Reply
  • Adam Trainor
    June 19, 2015 · 10:18AM:
    Great post. I'm not really a gum chewing person, but I bet a lot of people can relate to this post. Reading this post, I'm trying to get my head around it, can other sugar free products give you stomach pain. If they contain sugar alcohols it will cause bloating, cramps, pain, and/or diarrhea?
    Reply
    • Anne
      June 19, 2015 · 11:22AM:
      Yes, any products containing sugar alcohols, if consumed in large enough quantities, can cause GI issues/stomach pain.
      Reply
      • Adam Trainor June 22, 2015 · 1:35PM:
        That's very interesting to know because I can now relate to it when I have eaten or drank something suagr free
        Reply
  • Abbie July 18, 2015 · 5:50AM:
    Thank you so much! On Tuesday I nailed a tonne of sugar free gum and four days later I'm still in pain and very bloated. The Dr said she could not find anything seriously wrong but I couldn't think what had triggered it. Im almost certain it was all the gum. I'm never going to touch the stuff again :-)
    Reply
  • Rose Swanson
    August 26, 2015 · 4:54PM:
    I connected my eating sugar-free gum to stomach issues a couple of years ago. It is hard to find gum that isn't sugar free other than Juicy Fruit. I REALLY appreciated your article/knowledge about this problem and want to know if there are more healthy gums/chewies out there that help with bad breath? I was chewing specifically because I did not want bad breath and in my work as a therapist and supervisor I was talking to many people. Any suggestions about foods to eat that also help with bad breath? There is nothing worse than thinking you might have bad breath but others are too polite to tell you. I don't eat particularly bad breath foods (garlic) :)
    Reply
  • Nikolay @ OrganicPowerFoods.com
    September 11, 2015 · 11:08AM:
    I'm not a fan of gums, I just chew from time to time, but I've too noticed that the really pungent "sugar-free" type of gums give me an irritated stomach, especially if I eat something after I've chewed some gum. Another sneaky thing that could give some people stomach discomfort is coffee.
    Reply
    • Anne
      September 11, 2015 · 11:13AM:
      Yeah, coffee (well, caffeine) gives me issues if I have it on an empty stomach, or if I have too much. Sad!!
      Reply
  • Annette Reynolds January 5, 2016 · 3:45PM:
    I use sugar free gum, because I have an extremely dry mouth. Is there anything else I could use instead of the gum?
    Reply
    • Anne
      January 5, 2016 · 4:36PM:
      Drink more water. :)
      Reply
  • Tania Majinski February 3, 2016 · 6:15AM:
    I can not eat or drink anything with any artificial sweeteners. Period. Almost instant bloating, cramping and unlike most, constipation. My stomach looks like I'm 5 months pregnant for 3-5 days before relief.
    Reply
  • GAB March 31, 2016 · 11:37AM:
    The first ingredient of the candy I'm having right now - isomalt. Wikipedia says: "Isomalt is a sugar substitute, a type of sugar alcohol, used primarily for its sugar-like physical properties. It has only a small impact on blood sugar levels and does not promote tooth decay, i.e. is tooth-friendly." Sounds like this could be a cause of my recent abdominal pains. Thanks.
    Reply
  • Dave Biucher November 5, 2016 · 12:43AM:
    Thanks for article ... I chewed one whole pack 20 pieces of sugarless gum needless to say it felt like the worse pain I have ever had Very close to a kidney stone but worse Will never ever chew gum again Promise!!!!
    Reply
  • Jane December 29, 2016 · 9:13AM:
    I had same issues! I was chewing sugar-free gum like crazy to keep from eating sugary snacks. Developed severe and I mean severe stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea...to the point of hospitalization at one point. So many tests...and episodes of illness kept occurring. I came across an article such as this and stopped chewing gum immediately. Problems totally stopped...this was approx 3 yrs ago. Sounds crazy until you read about how it can affect your body.
    Reply
    • Anne
      December 29, 2016 · 9:45AM:
      Wow! I'm so glad you found what works for you!
      Reply
  • Wendy February 12, 2017 · 5:12PM:
    I'm pretty sure I have IBS-C and 2 days ago at my naturopath's suggestion I took DGL without looking at the ingredient list....first ingredient other than DGL was xylitol. Unknowingly I took the supplement 3 times and was in pain and spent the day in the washroom. It's a very high FODMAP food (well, it's not a food) but it's on the list. Never again!
    Reply
  • Gerrit
    May 25, 2017 · 7:43PM:
    Very interesting article! In the last few month, my research confronted me with more and more reasons for bloating and stomach pain. The fascinating thing is that most of them are fairly common but rarely diagnosed or treated. Sugar alcohols are one of them. Another is pyloric obstruction: the stomach is unable to empty itself properly. If you would eat sugar alcohols on top of such an obstruction, I would not be surprised if you get into a lot of trouble.
    Reply
  • dz August 9, 2017 · 12:50PM:
    There are quite a few protein bars that have sugar alcohol in them. People should be aware of that as well.
    Reply
    • Anne
      August 9, 2017 · 1:58PM:
      Yes, absolutely!
      Reply
      • steveooo December 5, 2017 · 2:48PM:
        I've been trying to chase down the culprit of some bad gut discomfort, gas, and constipation, and I think I've tracked it to protein bars with sugar alcohols. I noticed that it got worse throughout the day and was better during the weekends and the beginning of the week. I work out m/t/t/f and eat protein bars on those days usually, so it made sense that it might be the sugar alcohols going through my gut. I've got a previous diagnosis for Ulcerative Colitis, which has been in remission for thirteen years, but my gut remains sensitive to all sorts of stuff, which can make zeroing in on a specific problem difficult. While your article is about gum, it is helping to confirm my suspicions about the protein bars.
        Reply
        • Anne
          December 6, 2017 · 4:38AM:
          Glad to have helped!
          Reply
  • Zdeneck Hcterts October 1, 2017 · 8:48PM:
    Great article.....Bloating, Gas, Cramps, Very Sore Back, Pain in the right Gut, all related to sugar alcohols? You can bet your sweet bottom dollar on that !!! Totally gave up Sugar Alcohols, and guess what......Yes, I'm playing volleyball on the beach at Hermosa. All problems resolved in a matter of two days. Sugar substitutes should be banned except for the natural ones such as Stevia, which comes from a plant. The others are GMO manufactured sugars.....why didn't we know that ???
    Reply
  • Kimmy Miller November 2, 2017 · 12:40PM:
    I've been a Type 1 diabetic for almost 50 years. I knew when I tried my first box of sugar free chocolates (around 1968) because of the warning label. Since then, I've avoided all artificial sweeteners except for Sweet 'N Low which has never caused stomach distress for me. Recently, I had a small bag of Orville Reddenbacher's Kettle Corn and my stomach cramped so bad that I couldn't even stand up for 48 hours! I checked the ingredients and sucralose is in it. This happened 2 times in 2 weeks so that's why I checked the ingredients. The pain was so bad that I thought both times that I should go to the emergency room. I reported it to O.R. company and shame on them for hiding that ingredient and not stating it on the front of the box!
    Reply
  • Miki Si November 6, 2017 · 4:46PM:
    Thank you for info. I thought I'd check out whether chewing gum was causing my stomach pains and swelling. I stupidly eat 40 pieces a day of bubble mint chewing gum. Addicted to it. Love its taste. Getting very bad stomach pains. Now I know why. Thanks for the post
    Reply
  • Anna November 19, 2017 · 12:03PM:
    I had stomach problems for two years and only after cutting out the sweetener (I used to have 6 sweeteners in one cup of tea!) my problems gone away! Must have something to do with the sugar free products! Thank you for very informative article.
    Reply
  • Ashley April 16, 2018 · 2:20AM:
    Hi, Anne! Thanks for the article. I’ve been dealing with similar issues with baked goods containing erithrytol. However, do you think there is any way to reduce the pain besides cutting them out altogether? Like drinking a lot of water perhaps? I have such a sweet tooth and I don’t know if I’ll last that long without those baked goods that I’ve come to depend on as my quick lunch choices. I would really appreciate your comment. Thanks!
    Reply
    • Anne
      April 16, 2018 · 12:10PM:
      I would suggest just having baked goods that don't contain erithrytol... I don't think there's any other way around it. And regarding sweet tooths, check out this blog post: How to Get Rid of Sugar Cravings.
      Reply
      • Ashley April 17, 2018 · 12:54PM:
        Thanks so much for your reply!
        Reply
  • Mike M April 25, 2018 · 1:37PM:
    Having bad stomach pains. Could be from the Chewy granola bars. Also eat the Fruit Snacks chews (has tocopherol). thank you for the article. I'll cut out those items and see if relieves the stomach pain.
    Reply
    • Anne
      April 26, 2018 · 10:11AM:
      I hope it helps!
      Reply
      • Mike M. June 20, 2018 · 11:20AM:
        Yes, my stomach pain went away after cutting out the Fruit Chews. Thank you so much!
        Reply
        • Anne
          June 21, 2018 · 8:55AM:
          Awesome!
          Reply
  • Jennifer June 24, 2018 · 9:16PM:
    Wow! I have been using "Swerve" sweetener which contains erythritol. I was told that this is the more healthy version of artificial sweeteners as I have trouble with so many others. Apparently this is a problem too! Starting now, no more artificial sweeteners for me. The stomach pain is mild but constant. So grateful for this article! Thank you!
    Reply
    • Anne
      June 25, 2018 · 9:43AM:
      I'm so glad this blog post was helpful!
      Reply
  • Tim July 8, 2018 · 9:18PM:
    Gonna cut out my Ice Breakers that I love so much and see if this bloating and abdominal pain will go away. Thanks for this articles
    Reply
    • Anne
      July 9, 2018 · 9:21AM:
      Let me know if it helps!
      Reply
    • Tim September 27, 2018 · 8:21PM:
      Did it help when you cut out the ice breakers? I’m currently hooked on the Ice Breakers Frost and have had horrible abdominal pain and diarrhea. Guess I’ll give them up for a few weeks and see if the symptoms resolve themselves.
      Reply
  • Angie July 18, 2018 · 12:44PM:
    Wow....so much great information! So recently I decided to cut out Sugar more. I have bought Sugar free gum, That will stop. Also am using Swerve. Is there a healthy alternative to a sweetner? Something better that you suggest? I have heard that Erythritol, is also ok. Whats your opinion?
    Reply
    • Anne
      July 19, 2018 · 9:34AM:
      Erythritol is a sugar alcohol like the ones I talk about in this post - so it may also cause digestive issues! I would avoid it.
      Reply
  • Jordana Kozlowski January 5, 2019 · 12:01PM:
    I have stomach pain daily, with the feeling of a sickness, like after eating any sugar at all I will be regretting my decisions and dealing with really painful stomach pain. I don’t usually eat sugar free stuff but I have seen the sugar alcohol names in many of the sugary stuff. I am thinking to cut out sugar entirely and see what happens, because this is my second year of dealing with this pain and I’m beyond done. Will update after I try.
    Reply
    • Anne
      January 7, 2019 · 9:49AM:
      I hope it helps! Let us know!
      Reply
  • NV June 22, 2019 · 2:08AM:
    I can't have any type of artificial sweetener at all as they cause me to have headaches, bloating, gas, diarrhea (in some cases), and horrible stomach pains. It took awhile for me to figure out what was causing all these symptoms and I'm SO glad I did. Now, I stay far, FAR away from any of these ingredients. Another thing that causes the same symptoms is carrageenan, which is found in almost everything dairy these days and even in cold cuts, salad dressings, etc.
    Reply
    • Anne
      June 24, 2019 · 10:47AM:
      I didn't know carrageenan could be a problem, too - that's good to know!
      Reply
  • Donna Brown June 23, 2019 · 8:17PM:
    My stomach hurt so often, I had forgotten what it felt like not to be in pain. I had planned to make an appointment with the GI on Monday and request an endoscopy when I came across your site last night. I can't remember a time when I didn't chew sugar free gum but never suspected this could be the cause of my pain for the past year. I have not had any gum today and it is now 5:00pm and my stomach hasn't hurt at all. I thank God, my lucky stars, the powers that be, and the universe that I found your information. I threw out every pack, stick and canister of gum away. I will continue to monitor my condition and pray this is literally the answer to my prayers. I hope others will be able to find this simple solution to a painful problem.
    Reply
    • Anne
      June 24, 2019 · 10:47AM:
      Wow - I am so happy to hear this - and SO glad that you found my website just in time! I hope you continue to feel much better - be sure to avoid other sugar free products, too - sounds like they don't do your stomach any favors!
      Reply
  • Lovella milam July 3, 2019 · 3:41PM:
    The aspartame was killing me. I had sever stomach cramps and diarrhea I had to crawl to bathroom on my hands and knees I was so weak. I was using aspartame in place of real sugar as I was a diabetic. My dr had me go for a colon test. They told me my colon was clean as a whistle. They said it had to be something I was eating. They had me write down what I ate on a daily base. I made the list and they pointed to the Equal and said to not eat any more. I quit eating it and never have had another attack. I actually thought I had cancer or some other deadly disease. Aspartame can be deadly. I learned the hard way?
    Reply
    • Anne
      July 7, 2019 · 1:17PM:
      I'm so glad you found the cause of the issue, and that it was a simple fix!
      Reply
  • Florence Welch August 23, 2019 · 7:12PM:
    I've had reflux for years. Lately though been having stomach issues. My dr told me to try cinnamon capsules to help with blood sugar. Ever since I've been on it, have had stomachaches, diarrhea, some nausea, reflux started acting up. But I've read it's safe. My body is so sensitive. I believe it's from the cinnamon. Is it possible? I also think I have IBS. Thank you.
    Reply
    • Anne
      August 25, 2019 · 9:18PM:
      Not sure if it's the cinnamon or something else in the capsules (I would bet there are some sugar alcohols in them), but I would talk to your doctor about finding an alternative to the cinnamon capsules!
      Reply
  • April February 23, 2020 · 5:33PM:
    I go through half a pack of Orbit Sweet Mint a day. I have serious gas & Bloating issues! Some days, I look like I'm pregnant. I am going to stop chewing it right now and see what happens. Thank you :)
    Reply
    • Anne
      February 24, 2020 · 10:26AM:
      Let me know if it helps!
      Reply
  • TammY May 13, 2020 · 9:35AM:
    I can relate to all of these symptoms. I would add just a splash of sugar free in my coffee and literally my intestines before inflamed and it would hurt just to walk. It was as though gas was trapped inside. My lower back and touching my abdominal area was painful. If I make sure I don’t touch one drop of fake sugars at all, my waist goes back to normal and zero pain. I have been in keto for about 3 years as menopause came around and I gained 25 lbs abs this keto lifestyle seems to work for me except I will never be able to have sugar free treats. The pain could get so serious that I thought I was literally dying.
    Reply
    • Anne
      May 13, 2020 · 1:26PM:
      I'm glad to hear you found what works for you!
      Reply
  • Steph June 25, 2020 · 3:18PM:
    Oh my gosh! I figured this out on my own too. I am on a low-carb diet, and one of the protein bars kept giving me serious stomach pains. I was also chewing a lot of sugar-free mints. Once I quit the bar for a couple days and cut back on the mints it resolved immediately. I’m wondering, though, on a low-carb diet, do you think these mints inhibit weight loss? Does the fact that they are not digested normally mean they convert to fat?
    Reply
    • Anne
      June 25, 2020 · 3:24PM:
      As far as I know the mints wouldn't matter either way, but definitely don't chew them anymore if they are hurting your stomach!
      Reply
  • Sam August 28, 2020 · 5:52PM:
    This post was spot on and a life saver for me! I've been having a burning sensation in my stomach and my pelvic area. I couldn't figure out why until I read this and stopped using the sweetener I recently bought and cut out the breath mints. What a relief! I can now go back to eating tomatoes in my salads again. Hooray!!! Thanks Anne I'm truly grateful.
    Reply
    • Anne
      August 28, 2020 · 5:57PM:
      I'm so thrilled to hear this post helped you!
      Reply
  • Lance Sherman July 3, 2021 · 2:11PM:
    I don’t ever and have never chewed sugar-free gum and I’m suffering the same way when I eat normal chocolate sweets pastries but none of them have sugar-free ingredients?
    Reply
    • Taylor July 5, 2021 · 9:57AM:
      Hi Lance, My name is Taylor - I work for Anne and I'm monitoring blog comments while she's out on maternity leave. I'll be sure to pass your question along to Anne once she returns in September. Thanks and sorry for the delay!
      Reply
    • Anne
      September 8, 2021 · 4:51PM:
      Hi Lance! It sounds like something in the chocolate sweets pastries is irritating your gut... if you want to share what the exact ingredients list is, I might be able to make a guess, but no promises!
      Reply
  • Cara October 17, 2021 · 4:34PM:
    Yep! I used to be a sugar free gum addict. I was having terrible stomach cramping and diarrhea. I got to the point I didn't want to eat. I finally stopped chewing the gum and my stomach has improved overall by at least 80% or more.
    Reply
    • Anne
      October 18, 2021 · 9:59AM:
      So glad to hear you feel much better now!
      Reply
  • Kc October 22, 2021 · 11:32PM:
    Loved this! It confirms my suspicion that "monk fruit" sweetener was causing severe pressure and stuck gas in my abdomen and chest. No severe pain but just the urge to burp with no success. I did my research to find that the first ingredient in my sweetener is erythritol. That partnered with 6 sugar free hard candies a night suddenly killed my gut. Any recommendations on how to get this junk out of my system quicker and do you have thoughts on pure monk fruit?
    Reply
    • Anne
      October 25, 2021 · 2:29PM:
      You should feel better pretty quickly once you remove the sugar alcohols from your diet! I don't know much about pure monk fruit, unfortunately...
      Reply
  • Ken April 12, 2022 · 11:10AM:
    My stomach hurts anytime I eat or drink anything I have diarrhea real often and bloating please tell me what to do I am so tired my stomach hurting and diarrhea
    Reply
    • Anne
      April 13, 2022 · 9:39AM:
      I'm sorry, I'm not a doctor so I can't help any more specifically - I hope you can find a doctor that will help you!
      Reply
  • sp April 14, 2022 · 9:21PM:
    I've been chewing xylitol gum - around 4 pieces a day for the last 6 months or so. It didn't affect me at first, but the last couple of weeks or so I've been getting a sore stomach...finally figured out it's the gum...which is a pity as it's cured my constipation and I'm afraid it will come back if I stop chewing the gum. I might just try to cut down and see if that makes a difference.
    Reply
    • Anne
      April 17, 2022 · 11:46AM:
      Hopefully just cutting down will help!
      Reply
  • Justin May 2, 2022 · 8:47PM:
    Thank you for this! I chew a ton of sugar free gum, but I literally never drew a connection between that and HORRIBLE stomach pain!
    Reply
    • Anne
      May 3, 2022 · 9:51AM:
      So happy to hear it was helpful!
      Reply
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anne mauney fannetastic food
Hi, I’m Anne! I'm a Washington D.C. based Registered Dietitian, mother, runner, and lover of travel, adventure, and the great outdoors. I've been blogging since 2009, sharing a mix of lifestyle content, recipes, and fitness tips. Come for the recipes – stay for the fun!
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I’m Anne, a Registered Dietitian and mother. I've been blogging since 2009 and love showing others that eating nutritious foods and staying active can actually be fun rather than overwhelming!

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