What Happens if I Eat Too Many Polo Mints?

January 11, 2026 •

4 min read

According to nutrition experts, a high intake of sugar or sugar alcohols, both found in different types of mints, can cause significant digestive distress. What happens if I eat too many Polo mints depends on whether the mints contain sugar or a sugar substitute, as both can have different negative side effects on your body, including gastrointestinal issues and dental problems.

Quick Summary

Excessive Polo mint consumption can lead to gastrointestinal distress, such as bloating and diarrhea, as well as dental damage from sugar or sugar alcohols. Long-term effects could include nutrient displacement and potential health concerns from artificial ingredients.

Key Points

Digestive Upset: Eating too many mints, particularly sugar-free ones containing sorbitol, can cause bloating, gas, stomach cramps, and diarrhea.
Dental Damage: High sugar content in traditional mints feeds mouth bacteria, leading to acid production that erodes tooth enamel and increases cavity risk.
Laxative Effect: The sugar alcohol sorbitol, common in sugar-free mints, is poorly absorbed by the body and acts as a strong laxative when consumed in large quantities.
Menthol Irritation: Excessive intake of the peppermint oil (menthol) can irritate the gastrointestinal lining and may even trigger or worsen acid reflux and heartburn.
Masking Health Issues: Relying on mints for persistent bad breath can mask underlying problems like poor oral hygiene or gum disease, which require proper dental treatment.
Calorie and Blood Sugar Impact: Sugary mints lead to high sugar intake and blood sugar spikes, while sugar-free options can still contribute to overall calorie intake if overconsumed.

The Dual Threat: Sugar vs. Sugar-Free Polo Mints

When considering the consequences of overindulging in Polo mints, it's crucial to distinguish between the two main types: those made with sugar and those sweetened with sugar alcohols. Each type presents its own set of problems when consumed in excess. For the original sugar-based Polo mints, the primary concern revolves around the high concentration of sugar. For the sugar-free variety, the issue lies with the body's reaction to sweeteners like sorbitol. Both scenarios lead to unpleasant health outcomes that are best avoided.

Gastrointestinal Problems from Excessive Mint Consumption

The most immediate and common side effect of eating too many mints is gastrointestinal upset. Your digestive system is not equipped to handle large quantities of either sugar or sugar alcohols, and it reacts with a clear message of distress.

Sugar-based mints

Bacterial fermentation: The high sugar content provides a feast for bacteria in your small intestine. This fermentation process produces gas, leading to bloating, cramps, and general stomach discomfort.
Sugar rush and crash: An initial burst of energy followed by a rapid crash is a classic side effect of excessive sugar, causing restlessness and difficulty concentrating.

Sugar-free mints

Laxative effect: Sugar alcohols, such as sorbitol, are known for their laxative properties. Your body doesn't absorb them well, and consuming more than about 20 grams can trigger diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating.
FODMAP sensitivity: For individuals with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), sorbitol is a type of FODMAP (Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols) that can trigger or worsen symptoms.

The Damaging Effect on Dental Health

While mints might provide temporary fresh breath, relying on them too heavily can do serious damage to your teeth. This is true for both sugary and sugar-free versions, though for different reasons.

Sugary mints and cavities: As Polo mints dissolve, they bathe your teeth in sugar. The bacteria in your mouth feed on this sugar, producing acids that erode tooth enamel. Prolonged and frequent exposure from continuous mint-eating accelerates this process, dramatically increasing the risk of cavities and decay.
Sugar-free mints are not a perfect substitute: While they don't contribute to cavities in the same way, sugar-free mints are not a replacement for good oral hygiene. Some studies suggest that the acid content in some hard candies can still be problematic for enamel over time. Choosing an ADA-approved sugar-free gum with xylitol is a better alternative for promoting oral health.

The Menthol Factor: What About the Mint Itself?

Aside from the sweeteners, the high concentration of peppermint oil (menthol) can also cause problems when consumed excessively. While a pleasant cooling sensation is normal, large amounts can irritate the gastrointestinal tract and trigger adverse reactions in some individuals.

Heartburn: Peppermint can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, the muscle separating the esophagus and stomach. This can allow stomach acid to reflux, causing or worsening heartburn and other GERD symptoms.
Oral ulcers: In rare cases, eating too many potent mints, like an entire tin of Altoids, could cause mouth blistering or ulcers from menthol irritation.

Comparison: Sugar vs. Sugar-Free Mints


Feature	Sugar-Based Mints	Sugar-Free Mints (with Sorbitol)
Dental Impact	High risk of cavities and tooth decay due to bacteria feeding on sugar and producing acid.	Lower cavity risk. However, some can contain acids that may damage enamel over time.
Gastrointestinal Effects	Gas, bloating, and cramps caused by sugar fermentation in the gut.	Potential for severe diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal pain due to the laxative effect of sorbitol.
Calorie Content	Higher calorie count per mint from carbohydrates.	Lower calorie count, but excessive consumption can still contribute to overall calorie intake and potential weight gain.
Blood Sugar Impact	Causes blood sugar spikes followed by a crash.	Minimal effect on blood sugar, making them popular for diabetics, though moderation is still key.

Conclusion: Practice Moderation and Listen to Your Body

Consuming Polo mints in moderation is unlikely to cause any significant harm. However, a constant habit of eating them excessively, whether for fresh breath or as a general treat, can lead to a host of problems. The primary risks stem from the high content of either sugar or sugar alcohols, which can wreak havoc on your digestive system and dental health. Listen to your body's signals, and if you experience any bloating, discomfort, or frequent diarrhea after eating many mints, it's a clear sign to cut back. For persistent bad breath, addressing the root cause through proper dental hygiene and hydration is a far more effective and healthier solution than relying on mints as a temporary mask.

Visit the Yale New Haven Hospital website for information on sugar alcohol side effects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Eating too many sugar-free Polo mints can cause digestive issues like diarrhea, bloating, and stomach cramps due to the sugar alcohol sorbitol, which has a laxative effect when consumed in large amounts.

Yes, excessive mint consumption can cause stomach pain. The high sugar content in regular mints or the sugar alcohols in sugar-free versions can lead to fermentation in the gut and irritation of the gastrointestinal tract.

Yes, too many mints can damage your teeth. Sugary mints expose teeth to acid-producing bacteria, causing enamel erosion and cavities. While sugar-free mints are a better alternative, they are not a replacement for proper dental hygiene.

Significant digestive issues like diarrhea can occur with as little as 10-20 grams of sorbitol. This can be easily reached by consuming multiple sugar-free mints, as sugar alcohols are poorly absorbed and can have a laxative effect.

While highly unlikely from eating mints alone, a toxic amount of menthol is possible from consuming an extremely large quantity in a short period. Symptoms of menthol toxicity can include nausea, convulsions, and dizziness, though cases are extremely rare.

Yes, consuming too many mints can trigger or worsen acid reflux. The peppermint oil in mints can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing stomach acid to flow back up into the esophagus.

No, mints are not a good long-term solution for bad breath. They only mask the odor temporarily. For a lasting solution, it's best to address the root cause, which often involves proper oral hygiene and dental care.