Valentine's Day 2010 is history, but with Easter around the corner, candy season is still in full swing. That justifies a look at a peculiar Valentine's-themed story from the Sacramento Bee about the possible nutritional benefits of candy, which was picked up by the Sun Sentinel in Florida this week.
"What if candy were as good for you as it is good tasting?" reporter Carlos Alcalá mused hopefully. "Some ingredients in candy may be healthful, but does that make the candy beneficial?"
Alcalá came up with reasons why specific candy might do a body good (listed below in parens), then provided the expert opinion on those purported nutrition benefits from UC Davis nutrition professor Judith Stern.
Almond Joy (High in fiber?)
"It's better than some of the bigger bars," Stern was quoted. "We don't get enough fiber, (but) it wouldn't be your first choice."
Sweet's Cinnamon Bears (Cinnamon lowers cholesterol, relieves arthritis and improves memory?)
"There's probably not enough cinnamon and it's mostly candy. It's calories. Brush your teeth afterward," Stern said.
Young and Smylie Licorice (Licorice helps with peptic ulcers, HIV infections, skin problems, hepatitis, PMS and more?)
"I don't think you want to take it for health," Stern told the reporter. Even if licorice root is beneficial, "I don't know that 11 pieces (per serving) would be enough."
3 Musketeers (Label says "45% less fat"?)
"The problem is the serving size," Stern said. The bar's 260 calories are more than an eighth of the daily allocation for an average woman.
York Peppermint Pattie (Peppermint oil effective in relieving irritable bowel syndrome?)
"Look where you find it on the list of ingredients," Stern advised. Alcalá noted that sugar and corn syrup are first and second on the list. "And the oil of peppermint at the way end," Stern added.
Dark Chocolate Raisinets (Label says, "Natural source of fruit antioxidants"?)
"Antioxidants are fine. You usually don't get much from chocolate," Stern was quoted. "What I care about with chocolate, please, is taste."
Snickers (Peanuts contain protein?)
"Most people get plenty of protein," Stern said. "You're not eating it for nutrition. You're eating it for the taste."
Starburst (50 percent of daily value of Vitamin C?)
"Mostly what you get from Starburst is sugar," Stern said. "It's like adding Vitamin C to Pepsi."
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