The Sweet Truth About Gummy Candies: Why They Might Not Be So Harmless

Gummy candies in various shapes and colors can be harmful to your health. They contain a mix of components that really shouldn't be going into our bodies, especially the bodies of our children. We know they're unhealthy, yet their bright, shiny allure is hard to resist.

Ever wondered what's really inside these treats?

The primary offender is white sugar—glucose, which damages teeth. It's empty energy that adds nothing positive and leads to a buildup of toxins that the body struggles to eliminate.

Sugar contributes to obesity and cravings for even more sugar.

Today, children suffer from illnesses once seen only in adults, thanks to processed foods with gummy candies being part of the problem.

The artificial colors in sour candies are among the worst offenders—similar to the paint used on walls, just in smaller amounts. Just because it says "food coloring" doesn't mean it's fit for consumption, just that it contains dyes.

The more you consume these dyes, the more damage they do. Children, who have smaller body weights, are particularly vulnerable.

The blue dye, Sunset Yellow E-110, can cause digestion issues, bloating, and stomach pains.

Yellow dye, Tartrazine E-102, is known to cause skin rashes and itching.

Red dye, Allura Red E-129, may lead to respiratory issues, hyperactive behavior, and attention disorders.

The black dye, E-153, is synthetically derived from coal.

Palm oil, present in these candies, is a hardened and unhealthy fat.

These and other components are derivatives of harmful chemicals that are best avoided, particularly when it comes to our children.

Another ingredient in gummies is gelatin—a protein derived from the bones, cartilage, and skin of animals. In Israel, fish gelatin is used because of kosher guidelines. Therefore, it's important to purchase sealed packages and verify the product's origins and level of kosher certification. Gelatin is used in food manufacturing as a stabilizer in desserts, creams, marshmallows, and more. It's marked in ingredients as E-441. Consuming large quantities of gummy candies can be tough for the digestive system to break down, potentially weakening the stomach and causing constipation.

Zohara Shavit is a naturopath N.D and an iridology expert with many years of experience in treatment, advice, and workshop facilitation. To book a free workshop, call 073-2221290