I was so excited when I found a new product at Target today. Sugar Free Mixed Berry Mentos. I had to buy them. I suspect sugar gives me cankers, and while I’d usually rather suffer with the cankers than cut sugar out, this seemed the best of both worlds. Yummy, chewy candy… hopefully without the cankers. I got out to the car and quickly downed half the box. They were delicious. Wonderful.
Since I’m trying to be a little more health-conscious, and since this was more healthy than other candies, I turned the box over to read the nutrition information. I noticed the serving size was one piece of candy. What? Seriously? One piece? Right.
And then I noticed in small but bold print under the nutrition information box: excessive amounts may cause a laxative effect.
Oh man. If I could have spit out the half-box I’d eaten, I would have. I’m hoping that 15 servings isn’t excessive…
But don’t expect an update on the situation. I’m much too dignified for that. 
Edited to add:
I was surprised I had never heard of this phenomenon. So after I posted this entry, I googled "sugar free mentos laxative" and found I wasn’t the only person surprised by this effect. I found two stories that had me laughing with tears literally running down my face.
If farting stories make you laugh, you have to read this.
And this.
From the looks of these articles, the prognosis isn’t good for me. But you know… it was worth the laugh!
6 Comments
Nice. I was laughting out loud at those stories, too. Just the mention of the work “shart” is enough to set me off. If what happened to you was anything as great as these two stories, you will have to share it next time we have a late night chat among family.
Hey Shannon! THANKS for linking to those two “farting” blog posts I wrote about the “laxative effect” of sugar alcohols like maltitol. I also spoke of these ill effects in my recent YouTube video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gefzTGM20tk) on sugar alternatives.
GREAT blog you have here! KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!
Hey Shannon! THANKS for linking to those two “farting” blog posts I wrote about the “laxative effect” of sugar alcohols like maltitol. I also spoke of these ill effects in my recent YouTube video on sugar alternatives at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gefzTGM20tk .
GREAT blog you have here! KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!
Oh my God. If I’d been drinking anything while reading that first story, it would have spewed forth and shorted out my keyboard. I took your warnings to heart and made sure all was clear before proceeding. My keyboard is fine.
I totally needed the laugh. Thanks!
ROTFLMAO!!! I read both stories. I hope you didn’t have an episode like they did, oh my! All that stuff irritates my system awfully bad, just as too much sugar does.
Fun post!
that’s so funny!