The Effects of Candy on the Body
Most people like to indulge in a candy bar now and then, but doing so regularly has negative effects on your health. Candy is high in sugar and many types also contain unhealthy amounts of fat and calories. Sweets often contain no nutrients, making them empty calories that contribute to health problems. About $2 billion is spent on candy each year at Halloween alone, reports the Journal Broadcast Group. Cutting back will keep you healthy.
WEIGHT GAIN
The ingredients used to make candy are full of calories. Sugar, chocolate, caramel, nuts and nougat are several examples of ingredients used to make candy that are high in calories and, in some cases, fat. Eating too many calories every day results in weight gain if you cannot burn them off. An average of 40 percent of the sugar people consume is stored in the body as fat, reports Evolving Wellness. To keep weight under control and still enjoy candy, choose "fun-size" versions and stick one piece. A king-size Snickers bar has 54 g of sugar and 510 calories, while one Reese's Peanut Butter cup only has 10 g of sugar and 115 calories.
REDUCES NUTRIENT INTAKE
If you are filling up on candy, you leave little room for nutrient-dense foods that support your health. Candy contains no vitamins and very small, if any, amounts of minerals, which means you are satisfying hunger but doing nothing to meet your daily nutrient intake requirements. Furthermore, high sugar intake actually robs you of much needed nutrients, such as calcium, because your body must use them to digest sugar. This contributes to the development of nutrient deficiencies, including iron, vitamins A and C, and calcium, which results in a variety of health problems, including anemia and a lowered immunity.
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Candy is not good for your overall health.
The Effects of Candy on the Body
By Eliza Martinez Oct 03, 2017
Most people like to indulge in a candy bar now and then, but doing so regularly has negative effects on your health. Candy is high in sugar and many types also contain unhealthy amounts of fat and calories. Sweets often contain no nutrients, making them empty calories that contribute to health problems. About $2 billion is spent on candy each year at Halloween alone, reports the Journal Broadcast Group. Cutting back will keep you healthy.
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WEIGHT GAIN
The ingredients used to make candy are full of calories. Sugar, chocolate, caramel, nuts and nougat are several examples of ingredients used to make candy that are high in calories and, in some cases, fat. Eating too many calories every day results in weight gain if you cannot burn them off. An average of 40 percent of the sugar people consume is stored in the body as fat, reports Evolving Wellness. To keep weight under control and still enjoy candy, choose "fun-size" versions and stick to one piece. A king-size Snickers bar has 54 g of sugar and 510 calories, while one Reese's Peanut Butter cup only has 10 g of sugar and 115 calories.
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REDUCES NUTRIENT INTAKE
If you are filling up on candy, you leave little room for nutrient-dense foods that support your health. Candy contains no vitamins and very small, if any, amounts of minerals, which means you are satisfying hunger but doing nothing to meet your daily nutrient intake requirements. Furthermore, high sugar intake actually robs you of much needed nutrients, such as calcium, because your body must use them to digest sugar. This contributes to the development of nutrient deficiencies, including iron, vitamins A and C, and calcium, which results in a variety of health problems, including anemia and a lowered immunity.
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TOOTH DECAY
Eating too much candy leads to the development of cavities. Sugar plays a large role in this process because the bacteria that causes cavities feeds on sugar. The more sugary candy you eat, the more this harmful bacteria is able to multiply and damage your teeth. Evolving Wellness notes that eating a lot of candy also plays a role in bleeding gums and losing teeth because sugar allows bacteria to damage your teeth and surrounding gums, leading to corrosion and deterioration. Caramel, taffy and other chewy candies stick to teeth, eroding the enamel and leading to decay.
Livestrong Logo
Share on Facebook
Candy is not good for your overall health.
The Effects of Candy on the Body
By Eliza Martinez Oct 03, 2017
Most people like to indulge in a candy bar now and then, but doing so regularly has negative effects on your health. Candy is high in sugar and many types also contain unhealthy amounts of fat and calories. Sweets often contain no nutrients, making them empty calories that contribute to health problems. About $2 billion is spent on candy each year at Halloween alone, reports the Journal Broadcast Group. Cutting back will keep you healthy.
Advertisement
WEIGHT GAIN
The ingredients used to make candy are full of calories. Sugar, chocolate, caramel, nuts and nougat are several examples of ingredients used to make candy that are high in calories and, in some cases, fat. Eating too many calories every day results in weight gain if you cannot burn them off. An average of 40 percent of the sugar people consume is stored in the body as fat, reports Evolving Wellness. To keep weight under control and still enjoy candy, choose "fun-size" versions and stick to one piece. A king-size Snickers bar has 54 g of sugar and 510 calories, while one Reese's Peanut Butter cup only has 10 g of sugar and 115 calories.
Advertisement
REDUCES NUTRIENT INTAKE
If you are filling up on candy, you leave little room for nutrient-dense foods that support your health. Candy contains no vitamins and very small, if any, amounts of minerals, which means you are satisfying hunger but doing nothing to meet your daily nutrient intake requirements. Furthermore, high sugar intake actually robs you of much needed nutrients, such as calcium, because your body must use them to digest sugar. This contributes to the development of nutrient deficiencies, including iron, vitamins A and C, and calcium, which results in a variety of health problems, including anemia and a lowered immunity.
Advertisement
TOOTH DECAY
Eating too much candy leads to the development of cavities. Sugar plays a large role in this process because the bacteria that causes cavities feeds on sugar. The more sugary candy you eat, the more this harmful bacteria is able to multiply and damage your teeth. Evolving Wellness notes that eating a lot of candy also plays a role in bleeding gums and losing teeth because sugar allows bacteria to damage your teeth and surrounding gums, leading to corrosion and deterioration. Caramel, taffy and other chewy candies stick to teeth, eroding the enamel and leading to decay.
Advertisement
INCREASES THE RISK OF DISEASE
High-fat, high-calorie and high-sugar diets are responsible for a whole host of health conditions. Large amounts of sugar contributes to insulin resistance, which can cause diabetes. Sugar leaches calcium from your bones, making osteoporosis a worry. Eating a lot of fat increases your risk of heart disease, obesity and depression. Poor diets lower the effectiveness of your immune system, making it easier for your body to succumb to a virus. Many of these conditions play a role in the development of others. For example, being overweight increases your risk of heart disease and diabetes.
INTAKE LIMIT AND HEALTHIER ALTERNATIVES
The American Heart Association explains that added sugar intake should be limited to no more than half of your discretionary allowance, which is roughly 100 calories or 6 teaspoons a day for women, or 150 calories or 9 teaspoons a day for men. There are some natural alternatives you can eat that have no added sugar, such as raisins and dates mixed with nuts or dried fruit. Be aware that even though these products have no added sugar, they are still high in sugar content, especially dried fruits that are condensed.
Why Is Candy Bad for Your Health?
While an occasional candy bar can be part of an otherwise healthy diet, eating candy regularly can negatively affect your health. Too much candy can provide you with large amounts of unhealthy substances, such as sugars and fats. Also, if you are eating candy each day, you may not eat enough of the foods necessary for good health. Enjoy candy and other junk foods only sparingly.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Occasionally, you may want to splurge on the calories, fat and sugar in candy and enjoy a special treat. Most of the time, however, find other ways to satisfy your sweet tooth, such as eating naturally sweet berries or small quantities of dried fruit. Some types of candy are also more diet friendly than others. Read labels to find candy that contains no saturated fat, for example. Another option is to take just a bite or two of a large candy bar and to save the rest for another day. Since the antioxidants in dark chocolate are heart-healthy, saving part of your calorie, fat and sugar allotment for a 1-oz. square of dark chocolate a few times per week is also sensible way to satisfy your craving for something sweet.
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