What mints are sugar free?: Your Guide to Healthy, Fresh Breath

October 15, 2025 •

4 min read

Over 60% of people consume sugar-free products regularly, with many opting for sugar-free mints as a convenient way to freshen their breath. But with so many options lining the shelves, figuring out what mints are sugar free and which ones are genuinely a healthier choice can be a challenge. This guide will help you navigate the world of sugar-free mints, detailing popular brands, common sweeteners, and the health benefits they offer.

Quick Summary

A guide to selecting healthier mints without sugar, detailing popular brands and their sugar-free status. It explains common sugar alternatives, including sugar alcohols like xylitol and erythritol, and addresses the benefits and potential side effects. Practical advice helps consumers find products that align with their dietary needs, whether for oral health, managing weight, or controlling blood sugar.

Key Points

Check the Sweeteners: Read the ingredient list to see which sugar alternative is used, such as xylitol, erythritol, sorbitol, or stevia.
For Oral Health, Consider Xylitol: Mints with xylitol, like PUR and Spry, are excellent for dental health as xylitol helps reduce cavity-causing bacteria.
Manage Blood Sugar with Stevia or Erythritol: For diabetics or those on keto diets, mints sweetened with zero-glycemic index erythritol or stevia are ideal, such as Velamints Fresh.
Be Mindful of Sugar Alcohols: Excessive consumption of sugar alcohols like sorbitol and xylitol can lead to digestive discomfort, including gas and bloating.
Popular Brands Offer Sugar-Free Options: Many well-known brands like Altoids Arctic, Ice Breakers, and Mentos have sugar-free versions available.
Natural Alternatives Exist: For a whole-food option, chewing fresh parsley or mint leaves is a natural way to freshen breath.

Popular Sugar-Free Mints and Their Ingredients

When seeking out sugar-free mints, it's important to look beyond just the “sugar-free” label and understand the specific sweeteners used. Many popular brands offer a sugar-free line, using different sugar alcohols or plant-based sweeteners.

Altoids

While classic Altoids are sweetened with sugar, the "Altoids Smalls" and "Altoids Arctic" varieties are sugar-free. These mints use sorbitol, a sugar alcohol, to provide sweetness. Sorbitol is a lower-calorie sweetener than sugar and is non-cariogenic, meaning it doesn't cause tooth decay in the same way sugar does.

PUR Mints

PUR Mints are known for their commitment to natural ingredients and are sweetened exclusively with xylitol. Xylitol is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol found in fruits and vegetables that offers a clean, sugar-like sweetness. An excellent feature of xylitol is its proven dental benefits, as it inhibits the growth of bacteria that cause cavities. PUR Mints are also aspartame-free, vegan, and gluten-free, making them a popular choice for those with dietary restrictions.

Ice Breakers

Ice Breakers offers a variety of sugar-free mints, including their popular 'Ice Breakers Duo' and 'Ice Breakers Coolmint' lines. These mints also use sugar alcohols, such as sorbitol and sometimes erythritol. Many varieties include cooling crystals to provide an intense burst of freshness.

Mentos

Best known for their chewy candies, Mentos also produces a "Clean Breath" sugar-free hard mint. These hard mints are designed for long-lasting freshness and are sweetened with a combination of sugar alcohols.

Velamints Fresh

Velamints Fresh is a heritage brand that offers sugar-free mints sweetened with Stevia. Stevia is a natural, zero-calorie sweetener derived from the Stevia plant, making these mints a great option for those who prefer plant-based sweeteners and are on ketogenic or diabetic-friendly diets.

The Role of Sugar Alcohols and Other Sweeteners

Sugar-free mints use sugar alternatives to achieve their sweet flavor. It's helpful to understand the pros and cons of the most common ones.

Common Sugar Alcohols:

Xylitol: Found in many mints (e.g., PUR, XyloBurst, Spry). It has dental health benefits, can be an effective anticavity agent, and has a low glycemic index. However, excessive consumption can cause digestive upset.
Erythritol: Increasingly popular, it's used in brands like DC24 Daily Care and Sweet & Friendly. It has virtually zero calories and is less likely to cause digestive issues than other sugar alcohols.
Sorbitol: Often used in Altoids Smalls and Ice Breakers. It has a subtle sweetness and is less effective at preventing cavities than xylitol.

Common Plant-Based Sweeteners:

Steviol Glycosides (Stevia): Used in Velamints Fresh. A natural, zero-calorie sweetener that does not impact blood sugar, making it an excellent choice for diabetics and those on ketogenic diets.
Monk Fruit: Though less common in mainstream mints, it is a zero-calorie, natural sweetener that is gaining popularity.

Comparison of Popular Sugar-Free Mints


Brand	Sweeteners Used	Key Features	Best For	Potential Side Effects
Altoids Arctic	Sorbitol, Sucralose	Curiously strong flavor, compact tin	Fans of strong, traditional mint flavor	Sorbitol can cause digestive issues in some
PUR Mints	Xylitol	Natural ingredients, dental benefits, vegan	Oral health-conscious, those with dietary restrictions	Excessive xylitol can cause digestive upset
Ice Breakers	Sorbitol, Aspartame (varies)	Intense cooling crystals, variety of flavors	Those who enjoy a bold, cooling sensation	May contain aspartame, a controversial artificial sweetener
Mentos Clean Breath	Sugar Alcohols	Long-lasting freshness, hard mint format	Prolonged fresh breath, convenient dispenser	Less information available on specific sweeteners
Velamints Fresh	Stevia	Natural sweetener, keto and diabetic friendly	Those avoiding sugar alcohols, keto diets	Stevia aftertaste can be an issue for some

Making the Right Choice for Your Nutrition Diet

Choosing the best sugar-free mint depends on your dietary goals and preferences. If your primary goal is oral health, mints with xylitol are an excellent option due to their anticavity properties. For those on a ketogenic diet or monitoring blood sugar, opting for mints sweetened with erythritol or stevia might be the best choice due to their zero glycemic index. Individuals with a sensitive stomach should be mindful of their sugar alcohol intake, as they can cause gastrointestinal discomfort in large quantities.

Alternatively, for a completely natural and minimally processed alternative, consider chewing fresh mint leaves or parsley, which naturally contain chlorophyll to neutralize odors. Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water also helps combat dry mouth, a leading cause of bad breath.

Conclusion

The market for sugar-free mints offers a wide array of options, each with unique ingredients and benefits. By understanding what mints are sugar free and the different sweeteners they contain, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your health and dietary needs. Whether you choose a brand with dental-friendly xylitol, low-glycemic erythritol, or a natural option like Stevia, a sugar-free mint is a simple way to maintain fresh breath without the negative effects of sugar.

For more information on sugar alternatives and healthy eating, visit the American Diabetes Association website.

Frequently Asked Questions

The original Altoids are not sugar-free, but their 'Altoids Smalls' and 'Altoids Arctic' lines are sweetened with sugar alcohols and are sugar-free.

Some sugar-free mints use aspartame, an artificial sweetener, while others like PUR Mints and Velamints Fresh are specifically marketed as aspartame-free.

Yes, many sugar-free mints are suitable for diabetics, especially those sweetened with zero-glycemic sweeteners like stevia or erythritol. However, it is always best to check the ingredients and consult a healthcare professional.

Excessive consumption of mints containing sugar alcohols (like xylitol and sorbitol) can cause gastrointestinal issues such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea in some individuals.

Mints containing xylitol, such as PUR and Spry, are particularly beneficial for dental health because xylitol helps reduce the bacteria that cause cavities.

Yes, for a completely natural breath freshener, you can chew on fresh mint or parsley leaves. Drinking plenty of water also helps to combat bad breath caused by a dry mouth.

Sugar-free mints are often low-calorie, but they are not necessarily calorie-free. The calorie count depends on the type of sweetener used; for example, erythritol has virtually no calories, while other sugar alcohols contain a small number.