Although functional gums make up the smallest portion of overall gum sales, they featured the strongest growth in 2008, reports Euromonitor. And while most of these functional favorites are sugar free, many of them also contain energizing ingredients. 

Although functional gums make up the smallest portion of overall gum sales, they featured the strongest growth in 2008, reports Euromonitor. And while most of these functional favorites are sugar free, many of them also contain energizing ingredients.

Launch Energy Drink Gum

Newly developed Launch Energy Drink Gum, for instance, is sugar free and contains caffeine, taurine and B-vitamins. Launch Energy Drink Gum features all the ingredients of an energy drink in a chewing gum. Its time release formula allows for a long lasting spearmint or peppermint taste without the crash. The energy gum is packaged in a tin can, which is resealable and reusable, resembling a mini energy drink. One can of the gum is equal to seven energy drinks, the company says. Although the product was first launched in Canada, it is soon coming to the states. In March 2009, the gum will appear in the United States at 7-11, E-Z Mart, SW Convenience and Transworld stores.

Mad Croc energy gum

Sugar-free Mad Croc energy gum also features caffeine, taurine and B-vitamins, while offering its consumers an energy boost in less than 10 minutes. Two pieces of Mad Croc energy gum equal one 8-oz. energy drink, according to the company. The energy gum is offered in four flavors: Spiked Spearmint, Power Peppermint, Slammin’ Citrus and Cinnamon Kick.

Go Fast! Energy Gum

Go Fast! Energy Gum contains something different from other energy gums – a liquid infused center. Evolving from the Go Fast Sports and Beverage Co., Go Fast Gum Co. recently launched Go Fast! Energy Gum. Each piece of Go Fast! Energy Gum contains about the same amount of energy ingredients as a Go Fast! Energy Drink. The liquid infused center, or “liquid adrenaline,” gets into the consumer’s system three to four times faster than a typical energy drink, the company says. The ingredients contained in the liquid center include caffeine, B-vitamins, ribose and white tea.

VE2 Energy Gum

After two years of research and development, VE2 Energy Gum was born. This caffeinated gum contains vitamins B6 and B12, niacin, ginseng and guarana. To be as environmentally friendly as possible, the company packaged VE2 in a blister pack without an outer paper sleeve. Less paper being used equals less trash being created. The energy gum also saves its consumers money because just two pieces of gum equal one 8-oz. energy drink or a small cup of coffee. With a suggested retail price of $1.69, an entire pack of VE2 Energy Gum costs less than one can of an energy drink, the company says.

Jolt Gum

GumRunners LLC offers Jolt Gum, featuring caffeine, guarana and ginseng for a powerful energy boost. Two pieces of the gum are equivalent to drinking one cup of coffee. Jolt Gum is available in Spearmint and Icymint flavors. The Spearmint gum also comes in a trial size, which holds 100 packets of the gum (2 pieces per packet).

Blitz energy gum

Blitz energy gum comes in flavors Peppermint, Spearmint and Original (which tastes like the leading energy drink) and contains caffeine, vitamin B and taurine. With 55 mg of caffeine per piece, two pieces of Blitz gum have more caffeine than the leading energy drink and almost the same amount as a cup of drip coffee. It takes about 10 minutes for consumers to feel the energy effects.

With each energy gum different from the next, this functional segment is sure to keep consumers energetic over innovation.