Candy is the most comforting food in the world. Candy is any confection where sugar is the main ingredient. Because of its high sugar concentrations, if you keep it their original packaging at room temperature in a dry, dark location it will be safe to eat for months, or even years. Even though according to FDA guidelines candy has very little nutritional value, it is very usual in the world of medicine. Before we had modern medicine our ancestors put their faith behind herbs, plants, and spices to cure their ailments. Many of which are used in candy today.
Peppermint has been a popular culinary and medicinal herb since 1240AD. It is a hybrid plant, a crossover of watermint and spearmint. It can be found growing wild in moist regions. Peppermint speeds up the digestive process by stimulating the stomach’s lining. This is why it helps treats irritable bowel symptoms. It helps ease tension headaches. Peppermint oil acts as an anti-microbial solution. The rosmarinic acid found in peppermint helps reduces the inflammation caused by asthma. Mix oil with lotion to soothe skin irritations.
Butterscotch is generally butter and brown sugar with a few extra ingredients. As the confection is being made the batch is cut, or scotched, before hardening. It gained popularity in 1851 because the company used an image of Queen Victoria on the tins. Butterscotch is very rich in protein and Vitamin A. They help support muscle growth by increasing your energy. Sucking on a piece helps soothe an upset stomach. They support bone growth and contain as much calcium as an 8 oz glass of milk. It can even help manage healthy skin.
Hard candy, or boiled sweet, is a sugar candy where syrup is heated to 320°F, cooled completely, and broken into smaller pieces. Consumers spend 483 million dollars on just hard candy. The number one most sold hard candy are Jolly Ranchers. Historically, hard candy has been used as cough drops. People with hypoglycemia carry them to help combat low blood sugar episodes. It helps stimulate saliva production, which helps digest food. They provide a nostalgic feel and by bringing back happy memories you’ll lower your stress.
It is one of the oldest candies in the world. Chocolate has been around since ancient times, according to the ancient texts from various cultures. The US may produce that most chocolate, the Swiss consume the most of this delicate goodness. It takes 400 cocoa beans to make one pound of chocolate with each tree making 2,500 beans a year. If your chocolate has a high cocoa level (85%) it could be very nutritious for you. They are a powerful source of antioxidants. It improves blood flow and lowers blood pressure. The flavonols found in dark chocolate can protect your skin from the sun. This ingredient also improves the blood flow to the brain.
This candy comes from the Glycyrrhiza glabra, which is a form of weed. It can grow four feet tall and produce purple flowers. Licorice root is one of the most popular herbs in the world. Even today in some cultures doctors prescribe licorice to treat many illnesses. It’s good for the adrenal glands. Used to treat the pain associated with ulcers, by speeding up the repair of the stomach lining. It cleanses the upper respiratory system. It can be combined with creams to relieve eczema. Holistic health practitioners recommend applying it to tooth decay to kill bacteria.
A simple candy, but powerful none the less. Caramel is just sugar browned and melted. It was originally a type of hard candy but grew softer over time. Caramel is used by diabetes to help balance their blood sugar. It supports the body’s digestive system. They help boosts your immune system. It can be used to help you with your diet to maintain sugar cravings. It helps your body absorb Calcium & Vitamin B easier.
Gum has evolved over the years. When gum first made it on the scene during the caveman time it was tree saps and aromatic twigs. Gum is usually a base, color and flavoring, a sweetener, and if it’s chewing gum, a softener. Not only does this candy have medical benefits, but plays a major part in the history of oral hygiene. It was used to help clean the teeth on our historic ancestors. It was also used to freshen breath. Dietitians claim that if you chew gum before eating it will curb your appetite. It helps release nervous tension and anxiety. Some colleges recommend it as a study aid because it helps improve your memory and cognitive functions. It is rumored that if you chew the same flavor gum you did while studying you will associate that flavor with the material. Though research is still working on this theory.