Candies are one of the most common types of treats known to everyone. Kids and adults enjoy munching into a sweet treat any time of the day. This article will dive into the details of how candies became a staple in our daily lives. It will also try to educate you on how good or bad is it for your oral health.
History of Candies
Making candy is done by dissolving sugar in water or milk to form a syrup. Different types of sweets have different textures. Producing various types of candies need different manufacturing techniques. Adjusting manufacturing variables such as ingredient quantity and temperature is done to achieve desired results. The hotter the temperature, the harder the candy. Chewy candies are made by subjecting the ingredients to lower temperatures. The word “candy” has been used since the 13th century. It was derived from the Arabic word qandi, meaning “made of sugar.”
Throughout recorded history, honey has been the favorites treat for most people. The earliest candies were made by the ancient Egyptians, Arabs, and Chinese by processing fruits. Cooking sweet fruits in slow fire releases their natural sugars. This sugar thickens to form candies.
One of the most preferred types of candies is chocolates. The Mayans and Aztecs are believed to be the creators of this treat. Farming cocoa beans, they invented the dark extract known to us as chocolates. It was in 1519 when Spanish conquistadors in Mexico discovered the cacao tree. They later brought it to Europe, and the chocolate industry exploded. In 1847, Joseph Fry invented the first chocolate candy bar. In 1875, Henry Nestle and Daniel Peter added milk to the mix to make the first milk chocolate.
How Candies are Made Today
Today, making candies is more effortless than how it was in ancient times. As the demand for candies skyrockets with the rise in population, technology helps meet the world’s love for sweets. You can even make your treats at home.
Industrial candy manufacturing can produce hundreds of thousands of candies a year. These factories use a variety of machines and tools ranging from simple mixers to elaborate devices that help in the cooking process. But, mass production is the only thing that is changed. Ingredients used in making sweets are relatively the same as a few hundred years ago. Some factories create their raw ingredients while others prefer to buy theirs from local producers. The advancement in technology also made it easier to transport candies from anywhere in the world. These innovations made these treats a global product.
Are Candies Healthy?
We hear our parents say that we should not consume too many candies. Dentist visits are always going to happen more often if we consume more sweets than we should. It is because sugars tend to stay longer in our mouths. When this happens, a lot of bacterias grow. Too much bacteria growth can lead to cavities forming and will result in tooth decay. Many dentists advise that one should always brush his teeth after eating sweets. Especially those types of candies that tend to stick to our teeth and gums. Brushing after consuming these candies can significantly reduce the risk of too much bacterial growth.
Not only that candies affect our oral health, but they can also affect our weight. Too much sugar in our diet prompts our body to store the excess for later use. The body keeps extra sugar in the form of fat, so the more sugar you consume, the more likely you are to gain weight.
This does not mean that candies are the villains of our diet. An occasional candy bar can be a beneficial part of our diet as well. The body needs enough sugar to function properly. With all types of foods, moderation is always important. We need to make sure that we only eat what is required by our bodies to remain healthy.
The Best Candies to Consume if You Want to Maintain your Oral Health
Answering this question might be a bit tricky. Candies tend to have a negative connotation about oral health. But, this does not mean that it is impossible. Luckily for us, there are now a lot of alternatives for the usual candies that we consume. To maintain your oral health, you do not necessarily have to give up your love for sweets.
One of the best alternatives that you can have might surprise you: chocolates! Being the most popular for all sweet tooths, it is surprising that consuming chocolates will not be as bad as you may think for your teeth. This is because chocolates easily wash off from the teeth. That means that it does not stick to your teeth’ enamel after eating. The lesser time it stays on your teeth, the better. It will not provide the environment needed for bacteria to feast. If you want to take it up a step further, you may choose to consume dark chocolates. Remember that sugars are the ones causing tooth decay. Dark chocolates have less sugar on them, making them better.
The next option that you may consider is sugar-free candies. Not only are they better since they contain less sugar, but they also stimulate saliva production. When your mouth produces more saliva, it helps to wash off bacterias. That is generally a good thing because these microorganisms will no longer have enough time to multiply and cause damage. However, you should always check the label when buying sugar-free candies. Some of them contain harmful chemicals that may be bad for your body. Always read the ingredients before purchasing.
The next best thing for indulging in sweets without guilt is candies with nuts. Aside from providing a different texture and taste profile, nuts in candies help break down the stickiness. This will help in reducing the chances of damaging your teeth due to sugar build-up. Nuts also contain fiber which is good for your health. Adding nuts to your homemade candies will significantly improve their taste and texture.
What Candies Should You Try to Avoid
As mentioned earlier, when it comes to candies, the stickier, the worse. So, you must stay away from sticky candies. They tend to leave hard-to-get residue in your teeth that are the best breeding ground for bacterias. Hard candies are as bad. Sucking on lollipops takes a long time to consume. The time you take in consuming hard candies will also be the perfect environment for bacteria to breed. The last thing that you may not expect to be included in the worst list is sour candies. These type of candies contains acid aside from sugar to produce the sour flavor. Exposing your teeth to sugar is terrible. Adding acid to the mix only makes it worse. The presence of acid in your mouth will make it easier for bacterias to multiply and carve through the enamel of your teeth.
What are the Alternatives for People with Sweet Tooth
For most people, candies are an essential part of our daily routine. It is almost always satisfying to pop a piece in your mouth while traversing through your daily commute. Not to mention that some flavors help in keeping your breath fresh. But, candies can be harmful to your oral and health if not consumed in moderation. Luckily, many alternatives might help you meet your cravings without worries.
The best alternative on top of the list is fresh fruits. Fruits pack natural and healthy sugars that give you a perfectly balanced taste and a fresh flavor. Fruits contain a lot of fiber and very low-calorie content. You can prepare your fruit slices and put them in a plastic container to eat on the go.
If you want another substitute with a more exciting flavor, try dried fruits. As the name implies, these are slices of fruits dried out to remove most of the moisture. Some of the most common ones are dried mangoes, dried tamarinds, and dried peaches. Of course, there are a lot of options that you may choose from your local supermarket. But make sure that the fruits do not contain bad ingredients. Meaning no added sugar or other unnatural ingredients were added.
If you prefer the cold type, you may also make your frozen fruits. Just slice some of your favorite fruits, seal them in a plastic bag, and pop them in the freezer. You will have your frozen delights to keep you fresh and hydrated wherever you go. This will work best on berries, watermelons, and even mangoes.
Takeaway
There are many ways to enjoy our favorite sweets without compromising our oral health and total physical well-being. If possible, we should always choose the healthier alternative. While it has been common to indulge ourselves in the things that we love whenever we can, it will always pay off to choose to be healthy all the time.