What to Do with Leftover Purim Candy: An Israeli Doctor's Advice

Purim is synonymous with an overflow of sweets: gummy candies, lollipops, chocolates, and various snacks. But after the festivities, what's the best approach to managing this sugar surplus?

Is it wise to leave them for the kids to consume at will, or is there a smarter strategy? Dr. Tal Ratzon, a pediatric dentistry expert, sheds light on navigating the post-Purim candy chaos.

Dr. Ratzon suggests initially 'disposing' of as many candies as possible due to their harmful ingredients: artificial food colorings that can potentially cause cancer, salt, and an astronomical amount of sugar. These are a few problems with the 'candies' and 'snacks' that both children and adults (not just during Purim) love to eat. Dr. Ratzon discussed these points in an interview with the site 'Mako'.

He advises removing sticky candies like toffees that adhere to teeth and palate, potentially causing irreversible damage not only to teeth but to the entire mouth. He further mentions that if you decide to keep some sweets, timing their consumption after meals is probably significant, rather than before.

Wondering how much candy is okay? Dr. Ratzon recommends limiting to one or two treats, specifically at the end of a meal.

"Anytime we eat, our acidity levels rise, which can lead to the microscopic breakdown of enamel.

"Our saliva does reduce acidity, but it's best not to eat sweets throughout the day. Timing sweet treats closer to meals is beneficial, as that's when this process still occurs."