Do halls cough drops have xylitol in them?
Picture this: You’re trying to get over your cold, but your throat just won’t stop tickling. So you reach for a pack of Halls cough drops and pop one in your mouth. Ahh…sweet relief! But wait, what’s that suspiciously sweet taste? Is there xylitol in this thing? Let’s investigate.
What the Heck is Xylitol?
First things first, let’s define our terms. Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that looks and tastes like sugar, but with fewer calories (score!). It can be found naturally in some fruits and vegetables (like berries and corn), or it can be artificially produced from birch bark or other plant sources.
So why would anyone use xylitol instead of normal sugar? Well, for starters, xylitol doesn’t raise blood sugar levels as much as regular sugar does. This makes it a popular sweetener among people with diabetes or other blood sugar issues.
But that’s not all! Xylitol also has some surprising health benefits beyond its sweetness. Some studies have shown that it can reduce tooth decay by inhibiting the growth of bacteria that cause cavities (yes please). It may also help prevent ear infections by keeping bacteria from sticking to the lining of the nose and throat (fascinating!).
The downside? Too much xylitol at once can give you diarrhea (ugh, nobody wants that). Which brings us back to those Halls cough drops…
Unwrapping the Mystery
Alrighty, here we go. Let me take one last sip of water before I reveal the answer…
YES! According to their website (whoop whoop), Halls cough drops do indeed contain xylitol as well as several other ingredients like menthol and eucalyptus oil.
But fear not, my friends! The amount of xylitol in each cough drop is small enough that you shouldn’t have to worry about any tummy troubles (unless maybe you eat the whole bag at once, but let’s be real here).
In fact, some people even swear by Halls cough drops as a hangover cure. Apparently the menthol and eucalyptus help clear your sinuses while the xylitol gives you a little energy boost (worth a shot, right?).
Xyli-what Now?
If this whole xylitol thing has got you curious, here are a few more fun facts:
- Xylitol can also be used as an alternative sweetener in baking (just substitute it for sugar 1:1)
- Some brands of chewing gum use xylitol instead of regular sugar because it’s better for your teeth
- Excessive consumption of xylitol can be toxic to dogs (keep those pups away from your snacks!)
And now that we’ve solved the mystery of Halls cough drops, go ahead and enjoy them with impunity. Your throat will thank you!
Recap:
- Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that looks and tastes like regular sugar
- It’s lower in calories than regular sugar and doesn’t raise blood glucose levels as much
- Halls cough drops do contain xylitol along with other ingredients
- You’d need to eat A LOT of these suckers to get diarrhea from the xylitol content
- Xylitol has some health benefits beyond just being sweet
So there you have it folks! Despite their unassuming size and shape, these little lozenges pack quite a punch. Remember next time when someone asks ‘Do halls cough drops have xlytol?’, send them our way!