Is Chewing Gum Considered Candy? A Breakdown of the Sweet Debate

Is Gum Considered Candy?

When looking for a sweet treat, gum and candy seem like obvious choices to satisfy a craving. But is chewing gum actually a type of candy? There are differences between gum and more traditional candies that contribute to the ongoing debate over whether gum qualifies as a confectionery or not.

Attributes of Candy

To determine if gum fits into the candy category, it helps to first define what makes a food a candy. Some general attributes include:

• High in sugar - Candy contains some form of added sugars like sucrose, glucose, fructose, maltose, dextrose, etc.
• Sweet flavor - Confections have a sweet taste, often enhanced by added natural or artificial flavorings.
• Dessert-like - Candy serves as a sweet treat or dessert with little nutritional value beyond calories.
• Processed ingredients - Most candies involve heavily processed ingredients and industrial manufacturing techniques.
• Primarily solid - From hard candies to chewy candies, most are in a solid form as opposed to soft or liquid.
• Bite-sized - Candy is produced in small, bite-sized portions for easy, quick consumption.

How Gum Compares

When evaluating chewing gum against the main qualities of candy, it aligns with some but differs in other aspects:

• Sugar-free options - While some gums contain sugar, many major brands offer sugar-free options sweetened with artificial sweeteners.
• Flavorings - Gum relies on both natural and artificial flavorings to achieve desired tastes.
• Not nutritious - Like candy, gum lacks significant nutritional value aside from a small energy boost.
• Highly processed - Gum base and other ingredients go through extensive processing and manufacturing.
• Solid form - Chewing gum is solid until chewed and softens as it's masticated.
• Portioned - Gum is produced in small pieces wrapped for individual consumption.

So gum aligns more closely with candy in terms of ingredients, texture, serving method and nutritional value. But sugar content seems to be a key point of deviation.

Sugar Content in Gum vs Candy

One of the main distinguishing factors between chewing gum and candy is sugar content. Candy is nearly universally high in some added form of sugar. But many gums are lower in sugar or sugar-free.

Sugar in Traditional Candy

Candy consists of processed ingredients that are predominantly sugar or a sugar substitute. Common sweets and their total sugar content per serving include:

• Skittles - 20g
• Reese's Peanut Butter Cups - 21g
• M&Ms - 27g
• Twizzlers - 22g
• Swedish Fish - 23g
• Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar - 24g
• Jolly Ranchers - 25g

This amounts to around 5-6 teaspoons of added sugar in just a single serving of most popular candies. Excessive sugar consumption has been linked to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and tooth decay.

Sugar Content in Chewing Gum

While some gums do contain sugar, many major commercial brands are labeled as "sugar-free" and are sweetened instead with sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners like aspartame, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, etc. The amount of sugar per piece of sugar-free gum includes:

• Trident - Less than 1g
• Orbit - Less than 1g
• Extra - 0g
• Eclipse - 0g
• Juicy Fruit - 2g

This is significantly lower than traditional candies, with some gums containing no sugar at all. However, there are still ongoing health debates regarding artificial sweeteners as well.

Other Functional Differences Between Gum and Candy

In addition to variations in sugar content, gum differs from candy in other functional ways like:

Chewing

Gum is masticated and chewed, while candy is typically sucked on or quickly bitten and swallowed. The act of chewing provides jaw exercise and stimulates saliva production, which can benefit oral health.

Flavor Duration

Gum maintains its flavor over a longer duration while being chewed, often lasting 30 minutes or more. Hard candies also provide longer-lasting flavor, but most candies are consumed relatively quickly.

Swallowing

Candy is designed to be fully swallowed and consumed. Gum is generally not swallowed and chewed until the flavor dissipates before being discarded.

Dissolvability

Most candies will fully dissolve with saliva and chewing. Gum bases are manufactured not to break down during chewing to maintain gum integrity and texture.

Cohesiveness

Unlike candies that become liquefied and lose shape when chewed, gum holds its cohesive, gum-like consistency during chewing.

Form Factor

Gum has more elasticity and can be blown into bubbles, unlike brittle or chewy candies. But gum still shares a similar bite-size, individually-wrapped form factor.

Are There Any Health Benefits to Gum Over Candy?

With lower sugar content and functional differences, gum may hold some advantages for oral health over regular candy consumption:

Sugar Reduction

The reduced sugar in sugar-free gums contributes fewer calories and lower risk of tooth decay compared to high-sugar candies.

Increased Saliva Flow

Chewing gum stimulates saliva production which helps wash away food debris and neutralize mouth acidity to protect against cavities.

Tooth Plaque Reduction

The increased saliva from chewing gum can reduce dental plaque acids and help prevent erosion of tooth enamel.

Oral Cleansing

The chewing action physically removes debris, tiny food particles and bacteria buildup on tooth surfaces and gums.

Breath Freshening

Gum additives like xylitol and flavors help reduce sulfur compounds that cause bad breath odor.

However, frequent gum chewing can also lead to problems like jaw soreness, headaches, and tooth damage if done excessively. Moderation is key for minimizing risks.

The Verdict: Is Gum Candy?

While gum shares some attributes of candy like sweet flavor, highly processed ingredients, and bite-sized form, differences in sugar content and chewing function set it apart in several ways:

• Sugar-free - Most major gums are labeled sugar-free, unlike candy's predominantly high sugar levels.
• Chewing stimulation - Gum's mastication benefits oral health through increased cleaning and saliva.
• Not swallowed - Gum is discarded after flavor dissipates rather than fully consumed.
• Flavor duration - Gum flavor can last significantly longer during chewing.

Ultimately, sugar-free gum resides in a gray area between candy and oral health products. While not as nutritionally detrimental as candy, gum still lacks significant redeeming nutritional value outside potential limited dental benefits.

For those looking to avoid excess sugar intake, sugar-free gum can provide a sweet treat alternative to candy. But consuming plain options without added flavorings may be the healthiest choice for optimal oral hygiene and avoiding tooth decay risks.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.