Candy lovers may be excited to hear of a new study that found that eating candy doesn't have negative health risks. For full disclosure, the study was funded by the National Confectioners Association, a trade group that represents the candy, chocolate, and gum industry.
"Limited information is available regarding the impact of candy consumption on health," write the authors of the National Confectioners Association study. "The purpose of this study was to investigate associations between typical frequency of candy consumption and body weight status and select cardiovascular risk factors among adults in the United States."
The National Confectioners Association study found that candy consumption has no association with obesity, increased waist circumference, elevated skinfold thickness, blood pressure, low density lipoprotein (LDL) or high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, or insulin resistance. Additionally, the study found that increased candy consumption was not related to cardiovascular risk factors.
"We did not find an association between frequency of candy intake and BMI or cardiovascular risk factors among adults," shares lead author Mary M. Murphy, MS, RD of Exponent®, Inc., Center for Chemical Regulation & Food Safety, in a statement.
"In contrast to what is often assumed, the present study showed that increased frequency of candy consumption was not associated with obesity or cardiovascular risk factors including blood pressure, lipid profile, and insulin sensitivity," write the authors in their discussion.
That said, the National Confectioners Association study did find a correlation between increased candy consumption and "higher energy intakes and higher energy adjusted intakes of carbohydrates, total sugars and added sugars, total fat, saturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids, and lower adjusted intakes of protein and cholesterol."
"There is a place for little pleasures, such as candy, in life. A little treat in moderation can have a positive impact on mood and satisfaction, and as emerging research suggests, minimal impact on diet and health risk," said Laura Shumow, MHS, Director of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs, National Confectioners Association, in a statement.
The National Confectioners Association study may seem hard to believe, but a previous candy study mimicks their findings: A 2011 study from the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center found that people who consume candy and chocolates have smaller waists, weigh less and have a lower body mass index (BMI) than their counterparts who do not indulge in candy and chocolates.
That said, the National Confectioners Association study should be taken with a grain of salt, as other studies have found many risks with consuming too much chocolate and candies. Here are four studies that contradict the findings of the National Confectioners Association study:
1. Sugar's role in cavity formation in teeth has been a long accepted fact, but a recent study found that sour candies do just as much damage, if not more, when it comes to your teeth. Sour candies are acidic and as such, they create a greater risk of dental erosion.
2. A 2010 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study found that snacking (including candy) is a major cause of childhood obesity.
3. A key component of candy is sugar, and new studies suggest that sugar is toxic. Researchers from the University California-Davis have found that excess consumption of high fructose corn syrup increases bad cholesterol, which puts people at risk of heart disease.
4. A recent study from Stanford University has found that obesity isn't responsible for increased rates in diabetes, but instead, sugar is.
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