Are Sour Patch Kids Bad For You?
Short answer
Sour Patch Kids are bad for you, and much like other candy, contain no nutritional benefits and should be consumed in moderation, if not avoided entirely.
Recommended Alternative
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
“Sour. Sweet. Gone.” is the slogan used by the M&A Candy company to describe the taste sensations of Sour Patch Kids candy. The ingredients found in this candy are sugar, invert sugar, corn starch, tartaric acid, corn syrup and citric acid. There is also a host of artificial colors and flavors.
To begin with, corn syrup or “high fructose corn syrup” (HFCS) has been linked to diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and many other diseases. It is added to many refined products as it is cheap to manufacture. Studies have found that HFCS contains high levels of mercury, a metal that can cause adverse reactions to your body’s organs, brain, and immune system when consumed regularly. Invert sugar is a combination of glucose and fructose which, funnily enough, are the two same ingredients that HFCS is made out of, however using a different process. So, other than Sour Patch Kids containing actual corn syrup which should be avoided at all costs, there is also a second ingredient which poses equally unfavourable health effects.
Cornstarch is commonly used as a thickener and is (not surprisingly) derived from corn. However, that does not mean it has any health benefits. Especially when it is listed on the back of a Sour Patch Kids’ candy packet as “modified corn starch”.
Other than not knowing if the corn has been genetically modified, corn starch is highly processed and full of carbohydrates and calories. A definite ingredient to avoid if you are looking at maintaining a healthy weight. Modified corn starch can also be a mask for MSG, a known ingredient that poses the risks of headaches, rashes, and nausea.
The multiple food colors and flavors added include “yellow 5” which is derived from coal tar - many studies of which have found arsenic and lead to be present in foods that contain this color. Furthermore, both artificial flavors and colors have been repeatedly linked to hyperactivity in children and an increased risk of cancer.
Possible short-term side effects
- blood sugar spike
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nausea
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hyperactivity (especially in children)
Possible long-term side effects
- weight gain
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diabetes
-
tooth decay
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cancer
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mercury, arsenic and lead buildup within the body
Ingredients to be aware of
Benefits
- short-term boost of energy
Our Wellness Pick
(what is this?)
SmartSweets Sour Buddies
- Only 3g sugar
- Low calorie (100)
- No artificial sweeteners
- Plant-based candy
- Gluten-free snack
Learn More!
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Written by Healthy Living 35
Published on: 01-03-2016
Last updated: 12-15-2023
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Healthy Living 35
Published on: 01-03-2016
Last updated: 12-15-2023
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