Cough drops are small medicated lozenges that are designed to provide temporary relief for sore throats and coughs. They usually contain active ingredients like menthol, eucalyptus oil, honey, or other soothing elements to coat and numb irritated tissues in the throat.
With their candy-like appearance and often sweet flavors, some people may wonder if cough drops contain calories like regular candy. The answer is – it depends on the specific brand and ingredients.
Do sugar-free cough drops have calories?
Most sugar-free cough drops do not contain any calories. They are sweetened with non-nutritive sweeteners like aspartame, sucralose, or xylitol rather than sugar. These artificial sweeteners provide a sweet taste without adding any calories.
For example, a typical Halls sugar-free cough drop contains 0 calories. The sweet taste comes from aspartame, and it also contains menthol, eucalyptus oil, and other active ingredients for cough and throat relief without any caloric impact.
Common sugar-free cough drop brands
Here are some popular cough drop brands that are labeled as sugar-free or contain 0 calories:
- Halls Sugar Free
- Ricola Sugar Free
- Cepacol Sensations
- Luden’s Wild Cherry
- Zarbee’s Naturals
As long as you check the nutrition label and confirm the cough drops are sugar-free or contain 0 calories, you can enjoy them without worrying about caloric intake.
Do medicated cough drops have calories?
Medicated cough drops that contain sugar or other caloric ingredients will provide some calories, though the amount is very small.
For example, regular Halls cough drops contain 2 calories per piece. The calories come from sugar which gives them their sweet flavor along with menthol for cough suppression.
Other medicated brands like Luden’s Wild Cherry cough drops contain 5 calories per drop. So medicated options do contain minimal calories, unlike sugar-free versions.
Typical calories in medicated cough drops
Here are the typical calorie amounts found in popular medicated cough drop brands:
| Cough Drop | Calories per Piece |
|---|---|
| Halls (regular) | 2 calories |
| Luden’s | 5 calories |
| Ricola | 12 calories |
| Cepacol | 3 calories |
As you can see, even cough drops with sugar or corn syrup contain minimal calories per piece, ranging from 2-12 calories on average.
Do herbal cough drops have calories?
Herbal cough drops can be calorie-free or contain minimal calories depending on their specific ingredients. You’ll need to check the nutrition label to be sure.
For example, Zarbee’s Naturals Cough Drops are sweetened with honey and contain 5 calories per drop. Other herbal brands like Traditional Medicinals Throat Coat are unsweetened, containing no calories.
Herbal cough drops sweetened with honey, sucrose, or cane sugar will contain some calories, while unsweetened varieties tend to be calorie-free. The calorie content is generally low even in sweetened herbal brands.
Calories in popular herbal cough drops
| Herbal Cough Drop | Calories per Piece |
|---|---|
| Zarbee’s Naturals | 5 calories |
| Traditional Medicinals | 0 calories |
| Throat Coat | 0 calories |
| Ricola Herbal Immunity | 8 calories |
As shown above, herbal cough drops either contain minimal calories or are calorie-free. The sweetened versions provide less than 10 calories per piece.
Do menthol cough drops have calories?
Menthol cough drops can be either medicated or sugar-free. Medicated menthol drops will contain some calories, usually around 2-5 per piece. Sugar-free menthol cough drops will not contain any calories.
For example, Halls mentholyptus cough drops contain 2 calories per drop. The menthol provides the cooling sensation while the calories come from sugar.
On the other hand, Halls sugar-free menthol cough drops contain 0 calories. The menthol is present without sugar or calories.
So in summary:
- Medicated menthol cough drops – 2-5 calories per piece
- Sugar-free menthol cough drops – 0 calories
Checking the nutrition label is the best way to determine if a menthol cough drop product will contain calories or is calorie-free.
Do throat lozenges have calories?
Throat lozenges can be formulated as cough drops or throat numbing lozenges like Sucrets. Like cough drops, their calorie content depends on the specific ingredients:
- Medicated throat lozenges – Contain 2-10 calories per piece
- Sugar-free throat lozenges – Calorie-free
- Herbal throat lozenges – May be calorie-free or contain minimal calories
For example, a Sucrets menthol throat lozenge contains 4 calories, while Cepacol numbing throat lozenges are labeled as sugar-free with 0 calories.
So medicated throat lozenges will contribute some minimal calories, but sugar-free and herbal varieties are likely to be low calorie or calorie-free options.
Do cough drops break a fast?
For people following intermittent fasting or certain diets, a frequent question is whether cough drops will break their fasted state.
The answer depends on the specific diet, but in general:
- Sugar-free cough drops – Do not contain calories or sweeteners that will stimulate insulin, so they are unlikely to break a fast.
- Medicated cough drops – The small amount of calories and sugar may technically break a strict fast, although the impact is likely minimal.
On a water fast, even small amounts of calories from cough drops could be considered breaking the fast. But for low-calorie fasts like intermittent fasting, cough drops fall into more of a gray area.
The minimal calories and sugar in medicated cough drops are unlikely to make a significant difference in the benefits of occasional fasting. But to be strict, sugar-free options are the better choice for fasts.
Do cough drops spike blood sugar?
For people with diabetes, a concern is whether cough drops will spike blood sugar levels due to their sweet taste.
Sugar-free cough drops do not contain carbohydrates or calories, so they will not impact blood sugar levels.
Medicated cough drops only contain around 2-5 grams of carbohydrates per piece. This small amount of sugar is unlikely to cause a significant spike in blood sugar by itself.
However, it’s best for diabetics to monitor their blood sugar levels to see how their body responds to medicated cough drops if consuming multiple pieces per day.
Better cough drop options for diabetics
Here are some good cough drop options for people with diabetes or concerns about blood sugar:
- Sugar-free brands – Halls Sugar Free, Cepacol Sugar Free, Ricola Sugar Free
- Unsweetened herbal brands – Traditional Medicinals Throat Coat, Zarbee’s Naturals
- Limit to 1-2 medicated drops per day – Halls, Luden’s, Ricola
In moderation, medicated drops are unlikely to cause big blood sugar spikes. But sugar-free and unsweetened varieties are the safest options for diabetics.
Conclusion
In summary, cough drops usually contain minimal calories or are calorie-free, depending on the type:
- Sugar-free cough drops contain 0 calories
- Medicated cough drops contain 2-12 calories per piece
- Herbal cough drops may be calorie-free or contain 2-8 calories
For people fasting, sugar-free cough drops are the best bet to avoid breaking the fast. For diabetics, sugar-free and unsweetened cough drops are less likely to impact blood sugar levels.
Overall, the low calorie content means that cough drops should not significantly affect calorie intake or nutrition for most people. But it’s still a good idea to check labels and be aware of the ingredients in your preferred brand.