Can You Eat Mentos While Fasting?

January 3, 2026 •

4 min read

One piece of original Mentos contains approximately 10 calories and 2 grams of sugar. This caloric and sugar content is the primary reason why eating Mentos while fasting is generally not recommended, as it can disrupt the fasted state and diminish the benefits of a fast.

Quick Summary

Eating standard, sugar-based Mentos will break a fast due to their caloric and sugar content, which triggers an insulin response. For stricter fasts, even sugar-free versions are risky, as artificial sweeteners can provoke a metabolic reaction. The decision depends heavily on your fasting goals.

Key Points

Standard Mentos Break a Fast: Due to their sugar and calorie content (approx. 10 calories per mint), standard Mentos will trigger an insulin response and break your fast.
Sugar-Free Mentos are Debatable: The effect of artificial sweeteners in sugar-free Mentos on fasting is controversial; they may still cause a cephalic insulin response, interrupting the metabolic state.
Depends on Fasting Type: For strict fasts like prolonged or autophagy-focused fasts, any form of Mentos should be avoided. For less stringent intermittent fasting, the risk is lower but still present.
Prioritize Your Goals: If your primary goal is weight loss and you can handle minimal calories, sugar-free might be acceptable, but for maximizing metabolic benefits like insulin sensitivity or autophagy, abstain entirely.
Alternatives Exist for Bad Breath: For freshening breath without breaking your fast, safe alternatives include drinking water, using an alcohol-free mouthwash, and scraping your tongue.
Religious Fasting Prohibition: In the context of religious fasting like Ramadan, consuming a Mentos is forbidden as it involves ingesting food, regardless of caloric content.

Understanding the Fasted State and Its Goals

Before determining if Mentos are permissible during a fast, it's crucial to understand the principles behind fasting. Fasting is more than just abstaining from food; it's about shifting your body into a specific metabolic state. The goals of fasting can vary, from metabolic benefits like improved insulin sensitivity and ketosis to promoting cellular repair through a process called autophagy. The consumption of calories, and particularly sugar, can interfere with these processes by prompting the body to release insulin, thereby ending the fasted state.

The Nutritional Breakdown of Mentos

To answer the question definitively, we must look at the ingredients and nutritional information of Mentos. A standard roll of Mentos chewy mints is primarily composed of sugar and glucose syrup. Even a single mint contains a small but significant amount of sugar and calories. This is the key reason they are not compatible with most forms of fasting.

Standard Mentos Ingredients

Sugar: The primary ingredient, which triggers a significant insulin response.
Glucose Syrup: Another form of sugar that provides energy and spikes blood sugar levels.
Hydrogenated Coconut Oil: A source of fat that contributes to the caloric content.

Comparing Different Types of Fasting

Different fasting methods have varying levels of strictness, which directly impacts whether a product like Mentos is acceptable.


Fasting Type	Calorie/Sugar Rules	Can You Eat Standard Mentos?	Considerations for Sugar-Free Mentos
Intermittent Fasting (Weight Loss)	Generally allows a small, sub-50 calorie intake.	No. While a single mint is low-calorie, the sugar content can trigger insulin and disrupt ketosis.	Depends. Some experts believe the minimal calories are fine, while others argue the sweet taste from artificial sweeteners can cause a metabolic response.
Prolonged or Water Fasting	Only allows water and sometimes black coffee or tea.	No. Any caloric intake, no matter how small, breaks the fast.	No. This is a strict fast; even artificial sweeteners can be off-limits due to the potential for a cephalic insulin response.
Autophagy Fast	Prohibits any caloric substances to maximize cellular cleansing.	Absolutely Not. The goal is complete gut rest, so any calories or sweeteners are forbidden.	Absolutely Not. Any sweet taste is a signal to the body that food is coming, interrupting the autophagy process.
Religious Fasting (e.g., Ramadan)	Varies greatly; typically involves abstaining from all food and drink from dawn until dusk.	No. As a confectionary item, it would break a traditional religious fast.	No. The focus is on abstaining from ingestion, making any mint forbidden.

The Debate Over Artificial Sweeteners

While sugar-free Mentos or other breath mints might seem like a loophole, the reality is more complicated. Many sugar-free products use artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols like sorbitol or xylitol. The scientific community remains divided on whether these zero-calorie sweeteners can trigger an insulin response. Some studies suggest a cephalic insulin response can occur just from the taste of sweetness, preparing the body for incoming sugar and potentially halting the fasted state. Others maintain that as long as there are no calories, the effect is negligible for weight-loss-focused fasting. However, for those aiming for deeper metabolic benefits like ketosis or autophagy, avoiding all forms of sweeteners is the safest approach.

Alternatives for Bad Breath During a Fast

If bad breath is your primary concern during fasting, there are several fast-friendly alternatives to Mentos that won't compromise your efforts. Bad breath is a common side effect of fasting, especially during ketosis.

Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water is the simplest and most effective solution, as it helps wash away odor-causing bacteria.
Tongue Scraper: A tongue scraper can remove the build-up of bacteria that often causes bad breath during fasting.
Mouthwash (Alcohol-Free): Using a mouthwash that is both alcohol-free and sugar-free can freshen your breath without breaking your fast. The key is not to swallow any.
Brushing and Flossing: Maintaining excellent oral hygiene is essential for combating bad breath.
Herbal Tea: Unsweetened herbal teas, like peppermint, can help with breath and soothe the stomach without breaking your fast.

Conclusion: The Final Verdict

In summary, eating standard Mentos will unequivocally break your fast. Their sugar and caloric content trigger an insulin response, which reverses the metabolic state and defeats the purpose of fasting for weight loss, ketosis, or autophagy. For those on stricter fasts, even sugar-free versions are a risk due to the potential for artificial sweeteners to cause a cephalic insulin response. The decision ultimately depends on your specific fasting goals and level of strictness. If your goal is to maximize the metabolic benefits of fasting, the best practice is to avoid Mentos and all other sweetened products completely. For bad breath, simple, no-calorie solutions like drinking water and using a tongue scraper are the safer options. Read more on fasting from the Cleveland Clinic for further information on blood sugar and fasting protocols.

Final Recommendation: Stick to water, black coffee, or unsweetened herbal tea during your fasting window and save the Mentos for your eating window to ensure your fast remains intact.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, a single standard Mentos will break an intermittent fast. The sugar and carbohydrates in the mint are enough to trigger an insulin response, which pulls your body out of its fasted state and ends the metabolic benefits you are seeking.

It is generally not recommended to eat sugar-free Mentos while fasting. While they contain minimal calories, the artificial sweeteners can provoke a cephalic insulin response, effectively signaling to your body that food is coming and potentially halting the fasting process.

During fasting, especially when the body enters ketosis and begins burning fat for fuel, a substance called acetone can be produced. This can give your breath a distinct, sometimes fruity odor, which is a sign that you are in a fasted, fat-burning state.

To combat bad breath while fasting, you can drink plenty of water, use an alcohol-free mouthwash without swallowing, or use a tongue scraper. Brushing and flossing regularly is also essential. Unsweetened herbal teas like peppermint are another safe option.

Similar to sugar-free mints, chewing gum with artificial sweeteners might break a fast. While the caloric impact is minimal, the sweet taste can stimulate an insulin response in some individuals, disrupting the metabolic state.

A standard piece of Mentos typically contains about 2 to 3 grams of sugar, depending on the flavor and location of manufacture. This amount of sugar is enough to cause a noticeable spike in your blood sugar and insulin levels.

Yes, a religious fast that requires abstaining from all food and drink, such as Ramadan, would be broken by eating a Mentos. Ingesting any food or confectionary item, regardless of its size or content, is forbidden during the fasting hours.