Are Mike And Ikes Bad For You?
Short answer
Mike and Ike candies are rich in added sugar, which is bad for you in a number of ways. They're also made with artificial dyes, which are most likely bad for you.
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Mike and Ike candies are high-sugar foods: the risks associated with their high sugar content are well established. Harder to parse are the concerns some studies have raised about the artificial dyes that are used to give them their color.
Mike and Ike candies use four artificial dyes for coloring: Red #40, Yellow #5 and #6, and Blue #1. Advocacy groups like the Center for Science in the Public Interest are pushing for these dyes to be pulled from the market or for products which contain them to be marked with warning labels. The CSPI points to studies that say the dyes cause hyperactivity in children, increase cancer risk, speed tumor growth, and can trigger allergic reactions.
The FDA has resisted, saying that evidence that the dyes are dangerous is not yet conclusive and that a ban or warning labels could put serious economic pressure on manufacturers. The International Food Information Council - a foundation that seeks to promote scientific knowledge - agrees with the FDA. The data, they say, is still too thin to prove the dangers of the food dyes still on the market. Furthermore, they claim that labeling foods with these dyes could confuse the public and hurt sales.
There are other good reasons to avoid Mike and Ike candies, however. They're loaded with sugar: 14 grams per serving, or about a third of your recommended daily intake. Those sugars are added sugars, as well; they're more than half of the added sugars you should eat in a day.
When you eat high-sugar foods like Mike and Ikes, you can do damage to your teeth. The sugars feed the bacteria in your mouth; those bacteria, in turn, excrete acid that damages the lining of your teeth. Eat too much sugary food like Mike and Ikes and those acids will break down the mineral lining that protects your teeth. Over the long-term, you can get cavities or gum disease. Be sure to moderate your intake of Mike and Ike candies and to brush and floss on a regular basis
The sugars contained in Mike and Ike candies are quickly digested by your body. They will hit your bloodstream fast, causing your blood sugar to spike. You'll get a temporary "sugar high" in mood and energy followed by a crash. Afterward, your body will take the excess sugar in your blood and convert it into fat for storage. If you're trying to watch your weight, avoid the blood sugar spikes you'll get from eating Mike and Ike.
Eating sugary candies can also cause long-term health problems beyond cavities and increased weight. It can cause insulin resistance - a condition where your body has trouble breaking down the sugars in the blood. It can also increase your chances of contracting Type-II diabetes. Added sugars like those in Mike and Ike further increase your risk of heart disease, according to the American Heart Association.
Possible short-term side effects
- hyperactivity
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allergic reaction
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sugar crash
Possible long-term side effects
- cancer
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cavities
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gum disease
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weight gain
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diabetes
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heart disease
Ingredients to be aware of
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