Weight Loss Drugs Create Surprising Boom for Gum and Mint Sales

People taking popular weight loss medications are buying more gum and mints than ever before, and candy giant Hershey is cashing in on this unexpected trend.

The company revealed that sales of their breath-freshening products have jumped significantly thanks to users of GLP-1 drugs (medications like Ozempic and Wegovy that help with weight loss and diabetes). These drugs work by slowing down digestion and reducing appetite, but they come with an unpleasant side effect: bad breath.

Why the bad breath happens: • The medications slow down saliva production • Less saliva means a drier mouth • Dry mouth creates perfect conditions for odor-causing bacteria • Result: many users experience persistent bad breath

This side effect has created an unexpected business opportunity. While these drugs typically hurt sales of sugary snacks and candy (since people eat less), they're actually boosting sales of sugar-free gum and mints. Hershey, which owns brands like Ice Breakers mints and various gum products, is seeing this category grow faster than expected.

The trend highlights how major health shifts can create surprising market changes. As millions more Americans start using weight loss drugs, companies are scrambling to adapt. For Hershey, that means focusing more on breath fresheners while their chocolate sales face pressure from people eating less overall.

This is an AI-generated summary. Read the original article at: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/30/hershey-gum-mints-ozempic-breath.html