Sugar-Free Chewing Gum Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By flavour Type (Spearmint, Peppermint, Fruit flavour, Others), By Application (Hypermarkets, Retail Stores, Online Stores, Others) And Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

There has been an increasing awareness among consumers about the adverse effects of consuming sugar and sugar-based products. As people consume gum and mint products, there is a continuous supply of sugar to the teeth, which fastens the erosion and leads to teeth decay. Hence, to combat the harmful effects of chewing on sugar-based gums, companies are developing alternatives such as sugarless or sugar-free gum for consumers who love to chew gums. 

As sugar-free gums are devoid of any sugar, additional ingredients are mixed with them to provide a taste similar to sugar. These sweeteners or ingredients include sugar alcohols derived from fruits like xylitol, maltitol, mannitol, aspartame, and stevia. Other chemical components are also added to these gums to improve the texture and shelf life of the products.

There have been several advantages associated with the use of chewing gum.  As per a study conducted by the University of Liverpool, chewing gum helps curb food cravings and thus reduces weight gain. According to this study, people who chew gum consume 36  calories less than their regular daily diet. It is also associated with burning calories, with an estimate of 11 calories burned per hour. Chewing sugarless gum also helps protect the gum as it increases the saliva flow in the mouth and removes the food debris attached to the teeth. As per an experiment conducted by the Journal of Oral Science, people who chewed sugar-free gum had fewer oral bacteria in their mouths after chewing. Organizations such as American Dental Association(ADA) also emphasized that chewing sugar-free gum, especially after eating, helps to reduce tooth decay.

Additionally, these products also have secondary effects on health. They help to increase the flow of blood to the brain and improve memory. Chewing sugarless gum also helps to reduce depression, heartburn and prevent drowsiness.

Excessive chewing gum eating is associated with specific negative health impacts, including migraines and temporomandibular joint disorder. The stress created on the jaw due to the overuse of muscles caused by chewing gum also leads to neck pain, ear pain, and other problems.  Sweeteners such as sorbitol also act as a laxative that may cause bowel disorders when consumed more frequently.  It has also been linked with other conditions such as malnutrition and weight loss.

Key Players Covered:

The key players of the global sugar-free chewing gum market are The Hershey Company (U.S.), Perfetti Van Melle Group B.V. (Italy), Mondelēz International, Inc (U.S.), Lotte Corporation (Japan), The PUR Company Inc. (Canada). Other key players include Mars Incorporated (U.S.), Health Made Easy Group (U.K.), Ferndale Confectionery Pty Ltd (Australia), Ferrero SpA (Italy), Verve, Inc. (U.S.), Kraft Foods Inc (U.S.), Haribo GmbH & Co. Kg (Germany), The Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company (U.S.), Topps Company Inc. (U.S.).

The products are available in various flavours in the market. These include spearmint, peppermint, fruit flavour, among others. Among these, mint-flavoured products are trendy among consumers owing to the freshness associated with them.

The sales of sugar-free chewing gums through brick and mortar stores are expected to remain stagnant due to growing purchases from online portals. Moreover, online channels provide the convenience of purchasing products from home and offer a wide variety of products.

Regional Analysis:

The market of sugar-free chewing gum in the U.S. is expected to register a promising growth in the upcoming period due to the increasing adoption of a healthier lifestyle. As a part of the growing trend, sugar-free gum is expected to be a suitable alternative against snacks that have harmful effects on the body. As per the research conducted by research firm Packaged Facts, an estimated 85  percent accounts for sugar-free chewing gum compared to regular sugar-based gum products. Hence, to attract more customers, major companies such as Mars and Cadbury are innovating their products by launching flavourful and non-calorie sweeteners for the market.

Segmentation

Key Industry Developments

• In May 2021, Cadbury owned gum company Stride, announced the launch of four new gum flavours in the Australian market. These flavours include Mango Peach, Lim Passionfruit, Peppermint and Lemonade. These products are available at RRP $3/bottle.


• In May 2021, Nudd, a company based in UK launched plastic free, plant based , sugar free biodegradable chewing gum in the market. The company aims to create awareness among the customers about the plastic waste caused by regular gums in the world. The product is available in two flavours such as peppermint and spearmint.