Are ICE BREAKERS ICE CUBES good for you?

November 1, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the American Dental Association, chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after eating can help prevent cavities. Given that, many people wonder, are ICE BREAKERS ICE CUBES good for you? The answer involves weighing the oral health benefits of sugar-free gum against the potential drawbacks of its artificial ingredients and processing.

Quick Summary

This article examines the health implications of ICE BREAKERS ICE CUBES, covering dental benefits, side effects of ingredients like xylitol and other sweeteners, digestive impact, and overall processing concerns. Key comparisons with regular gum are also discussed.

Key Points

Dental Health Benefits: Chewing ICE BREAKERS ICE CUBES, particularly with xylitol, can help prevent cavities by increasing saliva and fighting harmful bacteria.
Digestive Side Effects: Sugar alcohols like xylitol and maltitol can cause gas, bloating, and diarrhea if consumed in excessive amounts.
Artificial Ingredients: The gum contains a cocktail of artificial sweeteners (like aspartame and sucralose), colors, and flavorings that classify it as a highly ultra-processed food.
Not a 'Health Food': While it's a better choice than sugar-filled gum for oral health, the high level of processing and artificial ingredients means it should not be considered a truly healthy product.
Moderation is Key: Occasional use is likely fine for most people, but frequent consumption can increase exposure to artificial additives and lead to digestive issues.
Superior to Regular Gum: In a direct comparison, sugar-free gum is superior for oral health, as it doesn't feed decay-causing bacteria like regular, sugar-filled gum does.

The Dual Nature of Sugar-Free Gum

ICE BREAKERS ICE CUBES are a popular sugar-free chewing gum, and their health profile is complex. On one hand, chewing any sugarless gum, including ICE BREAKERS, offers scientifically supported benefits for oral health. On the other hand, a closer look at the ingredients and processing reveals potential downsides that warrant caution. The truth is that while they are certainly a better choice for your teeth than sugar-laden gum, they are far from being a 'health food'.

The Oral Health Benefits: A Closer Look at Xylitol

One of the main ingredients in ICE BREAKERS ICE CUBES is xylitol, a sugar alcohol that has been shown to offer significant dental benefits. Xylitol works by inhibiting the growth of Streptococcus mutans, the primary bacteria responsible for tooth decay.

Promotes Saliva Flow: The physical act of chewing stimulates saliva production, which helps wash away food particles and neutralize the acids produced by bacteria in the mouth.
Fights Bacteria: Unlike sugar, xylitol is non-fermentable by oral bacteria. This means that instead of feeding the harmful bacteria, it starves them.
Supports Remineralization: Increased saliva flow can help redeposit minerals like calcium and phosphate back into tooth enamel, strengthening it and reversing early decay.
Reduces Plaque and Gingivitis: A 2017 review suggests xylitol reduces the amount of decay-causing bacteria, which leads to less plaque formation and can aid in reducing gingivitis.

Potential Downsides: Artificial Sweeteners and Digestive Issues

While great for your teeth, the other ingredients in ICE BREAKERS ICE CUBES raise some red flags for overall health, particularly concerning the digestive system and the use of highly-processed additives. The gum contains a blend of artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols, including Maltitol, Mannitol, Aspartame, Acesulfame Potassium, and Sucralose.

Digestive Discomfort: Sugar alcohols like xylitol, maltitol, and mannitol are not fully absorbed by the body. This can lead to fermentation in the large intestine, causing gas, bloating, and diarrhea, especially when consumed in large quantities. People with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are often advised to avoid them.
Ultra-Processed Food: The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has classified ICE BREAKERS ICE CUBES as an unhealthy ultra-processed food due to its long list of artificial ingredients, including colors and flavors. Some studies link the consumption of such foods to higher risks of chronic diseases.
Controversial Artificial Sweeteners: The gum contains aspartame, a sweetener that has been the subject of controversy regarding potential side effects like headaches and its impact on mental health. While regulated and deemed safe for human consumption by agencies like the FDA at approved levels, some studies warrant further research into long-term effects. Additionally, some studies suggest a link between certain artificial sweeteners and a change in gut microbiota, which can impact overall health.

A Comparison: ICE BREAKERS ICE CUBES vs. Regular Gum


Feature	ICE BREAKERS ICE CUBES (Sugar-Free)	Regular Chewing Gum	Health Impact Comparison
Sweetener	Xylitol, Maltitol, Aspartame, Sucralose	High Fructose Corn Syrup, Sucrose	Better for Teeth: Sugar-free is non-fermentable by oral bacteria, protecting against decay. Regular gum feeds decay-causing bacteria.
Oral pH	Increases (becomes more neutral)	Decreases (becomes acidic)	Better for Teeth: Sugar-free helps neutralize the acids that cause tooth enamel erosion.
Dental Cavities	Prevents or reduces risk	Promotes development	Better for Teeth: ADA-accepted sugar-free gum can help prevent cavities when chewed after meals.
Bacterial Growth	Inhibits harmful bacteria	Promotes harmful bacteria	Better for Teeth: Xylitol actively inhibits bacterial growth, unlike regular sugar.
Digestive Impact	Potential for bloating, gas, diarrhea from sugar alcohols	Minimal digestive impact from sweeteners, but sugar is quickly digested.	Depends: People with sensitive digestion may experience issues with sugar alcohols in sugar-free gum.
Processing Level	Highly processed food with multiple artificial additives	Processed food, but typically with fewer artificial sweeteners.	Depends: Sugar-free may contain more potentially concerning artificial additives and highly processed ingredients than simpler sugary gums.

Making an Informed Decision

The healthiness of ICE BREAKERS ICE CUBES is not a simple 'yes' or 'no' answer; it's a trade-off. For dental health, the benefits are clear, largely thanks to the inclusion of xylitol and the absence of sugar. For overall systemic health, the presence of multiple artificial sweeteners, colorings, and highly-processed components makes them a less ideal choice.

Ultimately, the occasional piece of ICE BREAKERS ICE CUBES is unlikely to cause harm and offers a dental benefit, especially if chewed after a meal. However, frequent or excessive consumption could lead to digestive distress and contributes to a diet high in processed foods and artificial additives. As with most things, moderation and awareness of the ingredients are key. For the absolute healthiest choice, limiting all types of added sweeteners—natural and artificial—is the best approach.

Conclusion

In conclusion, ICE BREAKERS ICE CUBES offer a compelling dental benefit, particularly for preventing cavities, which is supported by dental associations. The chewing action promotes saliva flow and xylitol inhibits decay-causing bacteria, making them a healthier alternative for oral hygiene compared to regular, sugar-filled gum. However, this comes with important considerations. The reliance on multiple sugar alcohols and artificial additives can lead to unpleasant digestive side effects, especially with frequent use. Furthermore, their status as a highly ultra-processed food and the ongoing debate surrounding some of their artificial ingredients mean they are not without potential health concerns. For most people, consuming ICE BREAKERS ICE CUBES in moderation is a safe way to enjoy the dental benefits, but it should not be viewed as a truly healthy product. As always, the best practice is to read labels carefully and prioritize whole, unprocessed foods. More information on reading food labels can be found on the FDA's official website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, chewing sugar-free gum containing xylitol, like ICE BREAKERS ICE CUBES, for 20 minutes after eating has been shown to help prevent cavities by stimulating saliva flow and reducing harmful bacteria.

The sugar alcohols used in sugar-free gums, such as xylitol and maltitol, are not fully digested. When large amounts reach the large intestine, gut bacteria ferment them, which can cause digestive issues like bloating, gas, and diarrhea.

Artificial sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose are regulated and generally considered safe by bodies like the FDA for human consumption within acceptable daily intake levels. However, their safety, especially concerning long-term effects and consumption patterns, remains a subject of ongoing debate and research.

Sugar-free gums are significantly better for dental health. Regular gums contain sugar that feeds harmful oral bacteria, while sugar-free gums, especially those with xylitol, inhibit bacterial growth and promote saliva flow to protect teeth.

Emerging research has linked high blood levels of xylitol to an increased risk of blood clots, heart attack, and stroke, particularly in processed foods. However, the small amounts found in gum are generally considered low risk.

Reading the ingredient list is crucial for understanding what you are consuming. Ingredients are listed by weight, so paying attention to the types of sweeteners, artificial colors, and preservatives can help you make an informed decision.

An ultra-processed food is a food product with a high degree of industrial processing and many added ingredients, often including artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. ICE BREAKERS ICE CUBES fit this description due to their complex list of artificial and non-natural ingredients.