There may be Halloween hauls of sweets found in households across the country, but experts have warned of the health perils of eating too many sugary treats.
In an article in The Conversation, Dan Baumgardt, Senior Lecturer at the School of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Bristol, admits he does not buy bags of goodies in readiness for trick or treaters because of his concern about the longer-term impact of sugar on health.
Along with causing cavities in the teeth, Baumgardt highlights how too much sugar also has a role to play in the development of gut inflammation, kidney damage and heart disease.
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One example he gives is a case that made the news recently – a man who devoured a 3kg bag of cola bottle sweets over the course of three days. The sheer volume of gelatine he consumed blocked him up and caused acute diverticulitis, the inflammation of small pouches in the colon which can cause severe abdominal pain, fever and sometimes even rectal bleeding.
Although the man recovered, Baumgardt says the story is a stark reminder that that “too much of a good thing can be dreadful”.
He also highlights how sugar feeds the bacteria in the mouth, causing the release of acids that attack tooth enamel. The build-up of plaque can also cause bad breath due to the release of sulphur compounds from bacteria.
In addition, Baumgardt flags up how sugar causes spikes in blood sugar levels which, along with sugar crashes, can lead to cravings and overeating.
Longer term, eating too much sugar can lead to type 2 diabetes, which in turn carries its own risks, including heart and liver disease, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
As for the dangers associated with specific sweets, Baumgardt points to liquorice, which is made from the root of the plant Glycyrrhiza glabra. Glycyrrhizin can disrupt hormones by mimicking the effects of cortisol and aldosterone, which regulate blood pressure, and fluid and electrolyte balance.
Consuming too much glycyrrhiza can lead to fluid retention, muscle breakdown and even heart, liver or kidney failure, so people with serious heart or kidney disease should avoid traditional black liquorice.
Moving on to sherbet and super sour sweets, which is made by combining sugar and citric acid, Baumgardt highlights how citric acid lowers pH levels which can significantly change the acidity of saliva, which can strip enamel from teeth, particularly milk teeth.
The effect of sherbets and sours on the gut is yet to be established.
Baumgardt concludes: “So, while candies and chocolates can be enjoyed responsibly, it’s worth remembering their wider effects – especially in children, whose sweet tooth is more pronounced. Consider ways to limit sugar intake, so the occasional treat doesn’t quickly become a double-trouble trick. And from there a longer-term issue.
“After all, it’s Halloween – and the last thing you want is your own digestive system playing nasty tricks on you.”
