Candy Ingredients & Health: Licorice Risks vs. Benefits

What are the real effects of candy on the body? Understanding ingredients in black licorice, the risks of DGL varieties, and the digestive impact of chewing gum is essential for long-term health.

Strawberries on a wooden board vintage

The 5 Stages of a Juice Fast

Thinking of starting a juice fast? Go through Joe's journey on a 3-day juice cleanse and see if his results are typical of what most experience during and after his detox diet.

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Overview

The Most Dangerous Diets Ever

Call them fads or quick fixes, but they are the last thing your body needs. Here are 11 of the worst diets ever created and their over-the-top approaches to help you lose weight.

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fish cuisine

How Much Protein Is Right For You?

Suppose you want to lose weight. That means you should probably follow some simple guidelines like eating less sugar. But research also indicates that eating more protein can help you towards this goal.

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Overview

The 20 Most Dangerous Candies

Candy is meant to be a treat, but even when consumed in moderation some varieties push the wellness envelope. To have your sweets and stay healthy too, limit candy that’s particularly high in sugar, unhealthy fats and artificial ingredients. Read on for 20 candies that can really spook your health.

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Gumballs in machine

Can You Be Allergic to Gum?

It is possible to be allergic to a variety of gums due to the many ingredients that are found in them. With respect to bubble gum and chewing gum, you can potentially be allergic to the sugars, syrups and gum bases that go into the product.

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Black Licorice vs. Red Licorice

The differences between red and black licorice involve more than just color and flavor. The root of the licorice plant is used in herbal medicine as well as for flavoring foods, including some types of licorice candy.

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Lollipops

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.

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Bubble gum machines

Does Chewing Gum Cause Intestinal Bloating?

It may surprise you, but chewing gum can cause intestinal bloating and gas. Bloating is the result of trapped gas in your digestive system that can cause your waist line to increase up to three inches, according to ABC’s Good Morning America.

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Bright Red Licorice Candy

Is Red Licorice Bad for You?

Referred to as "sweet root," licorice is used in both Eastern and Western medicine to treat conditions such as peptic ulcers.

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Sweet Red and White Peppermint Candy

Peppermint Candy & Nausea

Peppermint is a native plant of the United States, found in most of the lower 48 states. It has a long history of global folklore use for a diverse array of ailments, ranging from stomach disorders to colds to cancer.

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Licorice strings

Can Licorice Cause Discolored Stools?

Stool color is a topic you may be hesitant or embarrassed to discuss with your health-care provider. Most people have what they consider to be their normal stool color, but when your elimination looks different from your expectations, you may think that your discolored stool is abnormal and cause for worry.

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Close-up of black licorice

Is Licorice Candy Good for You?

The benefits of licorice candy depend on the type you’re eating. Red licorice candy never contains actual licorice root from the licorice plant, and black licorice seldom does so.

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What Are the Dangers of DGL Licorice?

Licorice is an herb that lends flavor to many foods and beverages. The plant’s roots are used in traditional medicine to treat a wide variety of disorders, including gastrointestinal complaints, bronchitis, tuberculosis, malaria, osteoarthritis, liver disease, systemic lupus erythematosus and chronic fatigue syndrome.

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Young woman with toothache putting ice bag on mouth

Why Do My Gums Hurt When I Exercise?

Plaque, which leads to gum disease and cavities, can irritate your gum line and result in painful gums while exercising. The jarring your mouth experiences during running can cause your gums to hurt, for example; a dry mouth resulting from heavier breathing during exertion may also exacerbate the problems.

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Peppermint candy tower isolated, macro.

Peppermint Candy Ingredients

Peppermint candies are not all created equal, but you can bet the primary ingredient is going to be sugar. Sugar tops the list, although the other ingredients and use of color vary by candy type and manufacturer. Despite individual brand differences and sugar, peppermint candy is generally fat- and cholesterol-free.

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Colorful Chocolate Candy

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.

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How to Relieve Aching Jawbone and Gums

Dental pain can make your life miserable. Eating and talking can be difficult when your mouth hurts. Chipped teeth, swollen gums, and sensitivity to hot and cold are relatively common dental complaints. Aches and pain in the jawbone and gums are also common discomforts.

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Licorice Sticks

Ingredients of Black Licorice

Black licorice candy is chewy and has a semi-firm consistency. It is flavored with licorice root extract that comes from the licorice plant. American licorice is a native, perennial legume that grows in temperate climates of North America, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.

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How to Stop Chewing Gum

Bad breath, lack of concentration, dieting and sheer habit are several reasons people chew gum. You may find yourself craving gum throughout the day. Gum addicts commonly chew one or more packs of gum in a 24-hour-period. Constant gum chewing causes aching jaws, dental problems and bloating.

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Colorful Mentos candy

What Ingredients Are in Mentos?

Mentos, the self-proclaimed “FreshMaker,” originated as a hard mint with a chewy center. Over the years, Mentos has evolved to include fruit flavors, sour flavors, sugar-free options and mint gum.

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