10 Most Toxic Ingredients Found in Candy + The Harmful Effects of Artificial Additives

By The Mladenoff Clinic of Arizona Team
•
02 Oct, 2023

While the past century has brought incredible advancements in food preparation, most of the candy found in today’s grocery stores contains additives and chemicals which are known to harm the human body. The best way to avoid these is to eat an all-natural diet high in fruits and vegetables.

Each of the following additives, sweeteners, and colors can have a negative impact on health if consumed regularly. Here are the 10 most toxic ingredients found in candy.

1. Artificial Colors

Artificial colors like Blue 1, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and Red 40 have been linked to some cancers, and could even cause hyperactivity – particularly in children. If you have young children at home, be certain to check any candy wrappers for these colorings and consider choosing a healthier alternative if one or more of these colors are present.

2. t-Butylhydroquinone

t-Butylhydroquinone, or TBHQ for short, is a synthetic antioxidant. It is primarily used to prevent food from spoiling. While it is FDA approved, some scientists have claimed that it could potentially increase the risk of cancer.

3. High Fructose Corn Syrup

This sweetener is manufactured from corn starch sourced from genetically-modified crops. It has replaced natural sugar in many candies and soft drinks and is linked to obesity, heart issues, arthritis, diabetes, and insulin resistance.

4. High Amounts of Sugar

Before purchasing candy or other sweet treats like donuts, try to remember to check the sugar content of the product. Many candy bars contain exorbitant amounts of sugar, which can contribute to weight gain, tiredness, and long-term health issues.

5. Polysorbate 60

Polysorbate 60 is an artificial thickener that is used in baked goods like donuts, bread, and croissants, as well as other sweet treats like ice cream and milkshakes. Studies have suggested that it acts as a cancer-causing agent in animals, which means it could also be harmful to humans.

6. Camauba Wax

This chemical is used to give longevity to bubble gum. It can also be used as a glaze in other sweet foods. Camauba wax is thought to cause cancerous tumors.

7. Sucralose

While sucralose is often marketed as a healthier alternative to sugar, you should be aware of the dangers of consuming too much. Increased intake of sucralose is associated with shrinkage of the thymus gland and swelling of the kidneys and liver.

8. BHT/BHA

Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) are related preservatives that are primarily used to extend the shelf life of candy and other foods. In recent years, both have been linked to the growth of cancerous tumors.

9. Aspartame

Aspartame is a sweetener that is also an excitotoxin. It is known to cause headaches, dizziness, stomach problems, and blurred vision, and is also thought to be carcinogenic.

10. Sodium Nitrate

Sodium Nitrate is often added to processed food to prevent the growth of bacteria. It has been linked to cancer in humans and is considered one of the most harmful food additives.

Food Dye and ADHD

Can food dye cause hyperactivity?
What is in food dye?
Does sugar cause symptoms of ADHD?

For more than 30 years, scientists have examined the relationship between food coloring and hyperactive behavior in children, but with mixed results. To date, no conclusive evidence has been found to show that food coloring causes ADHD. Some studies, though, have suggested an association between the two. Most likely, ADHD is caused by the combination of changes in brain structure, environmental factors, and heredity.

Can food dye cause hyperactivity?

A study of nearly 300 children by the United Kingdom’s Food Standards Agency in 2007 showed that the consumption of foods containing dyes could increase hyperactive behavior in children. In the study of 3-, 8- and 9-year-olds, children were given three different types of beverages to drink. Then their behavior was evaluated by teachers and parents.

One of the drink mixtures contained artificial food colorings, including:

Sunset yellow (E110)
Carmoisine (E122)
Tartrazine (E102)
Ponceau 4R (E124)

It also contained the preservative sodium benzoate. The second drink mixture included:

Quinoline yellow (E104)
Allura red (E129)
Sunset yellow
Carmoisine

It also had sodium benzoate. The third drink mixture was a placebo and contained no additives.

The researchers found that hyperactive behavior by the 8- and 9-year-olds increased with both the mixtures containing artificial coloring additives. The hyperactive behavior of 3-year-olds increased with the first beverage but not necessarily with the second. They concluded that the results show an adverse effect on behavior after consumption of the food dyes.

What is in food dye?

Food coloring consists of chemicals used to add color to food. Food coloring (dye) is often added to processed foods, drinks, and condiments. They are used to maintain or improve the appearance of the food.

Manufacturers usually add dye for the following reasons:

To add color to colorless foods
To enhance colors
To avoid color loss due to environmental elements
To provide consistency when there are variations in the coloring of the food

The FDA regulates color additives to ensure that they are safe for human consumption. Regulation also helps ensure that foods with coloring are accurately labeled so that consumers know what they are eating. To determine the approval of an additive, the FDA studies the composition of it and how much is consumed and notes any health effects and safety factors that need to be observed. Once the food dye is approved, the FDA determines an appropriate level of use for that additive. The FDA only allows an additive to be approved if there is a reasonable certainty of no harm to consumers.

There are two types of approved color additives - dyes and lakes. Dyes are water-soluble and usually come in the form of powders, granules, or liquids. Lakes are not water-soluble. They are found in products containing fats and oils.

Some food colorings are synthetically produced. Examples of these color additives include FD&C Blue Nos. 1 and 2, FD&C Green No. 3, and FD&C Red No.40. Other food colorings come from pigments of vegetables, minerals, or animals. Examples of these natural additives include beta-carotene, grape skin extract, caramel color, and saffron.

Does sugar cause symptoms of ADHD?

Processed sugars and carbohydrates may have an effect on a child’s activity level. These sugars produce a rapid increase in blood glucose levels because they enter the bloodstream so quickly. A child may become more active due to an adrenaline rush produced by this blood sugar spike.

Decreased activity in the child is sometimes noted as the adrenaline levels fall.

If you are still looking forward to handing out treats, here are some yummy, healthy Halloween candy alternatives for your trick-or-treaters:

100 calorie packets.
Granola bars.
Mini box of raisins or other dried fruits.
Fruit snacks.
Packets of popcorn.
Organic cheese cracker packets.
Juice pouches.
Honey Sticks.
Oranges/Cuties/Clementines with Pumpkin Faces
Mini Water Bottles
Drink Packets like Liquid IV or Crystal Light.
Glow Sticks.
Bubbles.
Halloween Bouncy Balls.

For more information contact Dr. Diana Mladenoff. TEXT or call our Arizona Wellness Clinic at 1 (602) 524-0222.

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