Dr. Becky Maes - Is It Bad For You? Approved by Dr. Becky Maes

Is Candy Corn Bad For You?


Grade

F


Short answer

Candy corn is bad for you. It is mostly sugar or high fructose corn syrup with no nutritional value and often has artificial colors and ingredients added.

Grade

F


Long answer

Candy corn is a popular Halloween candy vaguely resembling corn. Most candy corn recipes consist of sugar, corn syrup, confectioner's wax, artificial coloring, and synthetic or natural binders. Sugar is by far the most prominent ingredient - and with around 12 grams of sugar per serving (about 7 pieces), candy corn is pretty bad for you. The World Health Organization recommends limiting added sugar intake to fewer than 25 grams daily. This means a single serving of candy corn would account for about half of your total added sugar for the day.

High sugar diets, and especially the spikes in blood sugar level associated with "sugar rushes", increase the risk for obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. The sugar and sticky texture of candy corn also contribute to tooth decay and the development of cavities. Consuming candies like candy corn, hard milk caramel, or nerds can have negative effects on your dental health after just one consumption, including an almost immediate toothache. Additionally, artificial color like yellow 5 and yellow 6, which are common in candy corn, can have adverse effects for some people, and synthetic binders are often linked to gastrointestinal distress.

If you are going to eat candy corn, just keep in mind that you are essentially eating pure sugar with no nutritional value. While a few pieces once a year on Halloween aren't going to do much damage, making a habit of eating candy corn could lead to more serious health problems.


Possible short-term side effects

  • sugar rush
  • toothache

Possible long-term side effects

  • weight gain
  • diabetes
  • obesity
  • heart disease
  • cavities
  • cancer

Ingredients to be aware of


Big is candy corn bad for you 2

Healthier alternatives

  • homemade candy corn
  • dark chocolate



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Written by Leah Bolton | 01-23-2016

01-23-2016
Written by Leah Bolton
Suggest improvement or correction




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