Produced by: BusinessToday Desk
That innocent black licorice twist might look old-school fun, but doctors warn its hidden compound, glycyrrhizin, can disrupt electrolytes and spike blood pressure. The FDA even cautioned that too much licorice could cause heart rhythm issues—scary enough for Halloween, right?
Those neon-colored sour powders and sherbet dips that fizz on your tongue? They can literally burn through enamel. Dentists say their acid levels rival lemon juice, and once enamel’s gone—it’s gone for good. One night of thrills, months of sensitivity.
That jumbo chocolate bar seems like a treat until you check the label—some pack over 500 calories and three days’ worth of sugar for a child. Nutritionists call it the “silent binge”—fun-sized is festive, king-sized is chaos.
Halloween’s stickiest villain? Gummies. They cling, coat, and fuel bacteria long after the fun’s over. Pediatric dentists warn that sticky sugars act like slow poison to young teeth, feeding decay every minute they’re stuck. Cute? Yes. Cavity-causing? Absolutely.
The brighter the candy, the darker the side effects. Red 40 and Yellow 5—common Halloween hues—have been linked to hyperactivity and allergic reactions in sensitive kids. Behind those rainbow wrappers lies a chemical cocktail your child’s body doesn’t need.
“Sugar-free” candies promise guiltless fun, but experts say sugar alcohols like sorbitol can trigger bloating, cramps, and diarrhea in children. It’s the Halloween horror no one talks about—especially when parents think they’re choosing the ‘healthier’ option.
Ever notice kids go from hyper to hollow after a candy rush? Pediatric endocrinologists explain it’s a blood sugar spike-crash loop—instant euphoria followed by fatigue, mood swings, and cravings. It’s not just mischief—it’s metabolic mayhem.
Many parents fall for “snackified” Halloween candies labeled with fruits or yogurt. But experts say most are sugar bombs in disguise, with less nutrition than a doughnut. The illusion? Healthy branding masking tooth-rotting reality.
How much candy is too much? Pediatricians advise a Halloween “candy contract”—kids can choose a few favorites, and the rest goes to donation or the freezer. It’s a smart compromise between joy and junk, trick and treat.