The majority of sweets aren’t very good for you – they taste nice and can provide a rush of endorphins, but otherwise they’re high in calories with little to no nutrients. But not all sweets are wholly evil. Certain types of candy can have benefits, and could be a more healthy choice if you’re in the need for a sugar rush. Below are a few examples of sweets that can have health benefits.
Dates for natural sugar energy
Dates are a natural, whole food that tastes like an ultra-processed sweet. They are packed full of sugar, but it’s natural sugar and not added sugar, so your body has a better idea of how to digest it. Because they are fruit, they are also packed full of other nutrients – this includes potassium, magnesium and various antioxidants. You should still be careful of eating too many dates because of their high sugar content, but as an alternative to fudge or Haribo, they’re much healthier overall.
Dark chocolate for heart health
Chocolate is great for providing a burst of energy, because it contains both sugar and caffeine. But otherwise, most chocolate products have no positive effects on the body. The exception of dark chocolate – specifically bars of dark chocolate that are 70% cocoa or higher. Cocoa contains antioxidants called flavanol, which can actually be very good for the heart – studies show that consuming flavanol can lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease.
CBD gummies for relaxation
CBD is a chemical compound extracted from the cannabis plant that is known for its inflammation-reducing and stress-reliving properties without providing the high associated with weed. As a result, CBD products are now widely legal in many places – many people find that consuming CBD makes them more relaxed and that it improves sleep quality. You can buy all kinds of CBD products nowadays including CBD sweets. While regular sweets can energise people and sometimes exacerbate stress, these types of sweets may actually help to relieve anxiety and make you feel ready for bed.
Ginger sweets for nausea
Ginger has long been recommended as a treatment to nausea. While there are many foods that you can mix ginger into, ginger sweets are an excellent choice if you want a sugar rush but also want to stop feelings of sickness. Many pregnant women eat ginger sweets as a morning sickness remedy. They may also be a good type of sweet to store in the car if you or a passenger experiences motion sickness.
Sugar-free sweets for maintaining blood sugar levels
Not all sweets contain sugar. Some are sugar-free and contain artificial sugar instead to provide sweetness. For people with diabetes or those trying to reduce their sugar intake, sugar-free sweets can be a good solution. You can buy all kinds of sweets in sugar-free form jelly sweets or chocolates – search for online diabetic sweet shops to explore a variety of different products. Be wary that artificial sugar can have its health downsides too.
