Halloween is a holiday for all ages. You’re never too old to dress up in a costume, attend a Halloween party and indulge in lots of candy. Although those Twizzlers, Snickers and M&Ms taste sweet on October 31, they can quickly turn sour in your stomach and cause heartburn, gas and constipation.
Heartburn
There are many spooky treats that can trigger acid reflux and cause heartburn. Acid reflux occurs when the muscle between the esophagus and stomach called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) abnormally relaxes and gastric acid backs up in the esophagus. Certain foods like chocolate, peppermint and citrus can aggravate heartburn. This means that Peppermint Patties, Junior Mints, Starbursts, Lemonheads, and Hershey bars could prove to be more bitter than sweet!
Gas
Candy is comprised mostly of sugar. When sugar breaks down, it produces gas as natural by-product. Too much candy can cause gas build-up and stomach pain. Be especially wary of high carbohydrate treats like hard candy, bubble gum and candy apples. Sugar-free candy can also cause tummy trouble because many sugar-free candies contain sorbitol, a natural sweetener in fruits. Sorbitol can cause gas, abdominal pain and upset stomach (Source: Live Strong).
Constipation
Almost everyone loves chocolate, especially at Halloween. Kit Kat, Almond Joy, Twix, and Milky Way are just a few favorites that you might find in your trick-or-treating loot. Chocolate, especially milk chocolate, can have a bitter side as well as sweet. Many people find that milk chocolate is constipating because of the lactose it contains. Chocolate also contains caffeine which can cause dehydration and dry stools (Source: Health line).
Candy and chocolate are an enjoyable part of any holiday, but practice moderation this Halloween. Pay attention to how you feel when you try various sweets and treats, and pay attention to any discomfort you may experience. Using some self-control will have tremendous benefits for your waistline, your dental health AND your tummy!
