Yes, cough drops do break a fast. Most of them contain approximately 10 – 15 calories which can technically break your fast.
But that’s if you live by the rule that even a single calorie breaks a fast.
If you are fasting only for weight loss, 15 calories from a cough drop will technically break your fast, but will not make you gain weight.
When I catch a severe cold, I usually either take a break from intermittent fasting and seek medical attention, use some home remedies, or just go ahead and take a cough drop.
That doesn’t mean cough drops have no serious impacts on intermittent fasting.
You see fasting goes beyond weight loss to gut rest and healing, longevity, and autophagy, among other benefits.
The only way to get all those benefits is if you do clean fasts – water or other zero-calorie beverages unless you are on your intermittent fasting cheat day or eating window.
What About Sugar-Free Cough Drops?
Sugar-free cough drops contain negligible and sometimes zero calories so they do not break your fast.
Some sugar-free and “fast-friendly” brands of cough drops include Halls Sugar-Free, Ricola Sugar-Free, Luden’s Sugar-Free, Fisherman’s Friend Sugar-Free, and CVS Health Sugar-Free.
When choosing a cough drop during a fast, look for cough drops that do not contain calories or any other ingredients that may break your fast.
I personally always go for Halls Sugar-Free, only when I need more than a home remedy.
More On Cough Drops And Fasting.
Cough drops are medications used to relieve symptoms such as throat irritations, coughs, and cold or flu symptoms.
They come in various flavors, types, and even brands, with different active ingredients.
Common ingredients found in cough drops include menthol, eucalyptus oil, honey, zinc, vitamin C, pectin, propolis, and acetaminophen.
Sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and glucose are also common ingredients in regular cough drops.
Some types of cough drops use sugar alternatives like aspartame, sorbitol, xylitol, or stevia, and are marketed as sugar-free.
These are preferred by people who have diabetes, are watching their weight, or are simply trying to reduce their sugar intake.
So, Do Cough Drops Have Calories?
Yes, cough drops have calories. On average, a single cough drop contains approximately 10-15 calories.
It is important to note that even the “sugar-free” cough drops may still contain calories but to a lesser extent.
The presence of calories in some brands of cough drops is thanks to artificial sweeteners and sugars which might be added to make them more palatable.
Other ingredients like honey also contribute to the caloric load of the cough drops.
What To Take Instead Of Cough Drops During A Fast.
Gargling with hot water and salt can reduce throat irritations. Use warm water and a quarter to a half teaspoon of salt and gargle for 15-30 seconds.
Salt will also give you sodium, which, just like magnesium, is important for fasting.
You are considering using cough drops on a fast because you feel sick.
If your symptoms are severe or persistent, you should discuss them with your doctor.
If they are manageable, you will be better off with home remedies that will not break your fast.
Summary.
Whether or not the cough drop you want to take will break your fast will depend on the ingredients it contains, but as discussed already most contain 10 – 15 calories which might (strictly speaking) break your fast.
