A wide variety of sugar free candy is available, and iIt is becoming increasingly common for candies and chocolates to be available in a sugar free alternative. Hard candy, jelly beans, caramels, lollipops, gum, gummy candies, and chocolate can all be found without sugar. This meets the needs of dieters seeking a low sugar treat, diabetics, or those wishing to protect their teeth from the decay caused by sugar.
Sweeteners
Sugar-free candies are sweetened using a variety of sugar alternatives in the form of sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners. Sugar alcohols include sorbitol, xylitol and malitol, while artificial sweeteners include aspartame, saccharine and sucralose. In health food stores, you may find candies made with a plant-derived natural sweetener such as stevia or agave nectar. Each sweetener offers a slightly different sweetness and may be associated with different side effects. Artificial sweeteners used in sugar free candy are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and generally recognized as safe.
Calories
Sugar-free candy may not be low calorie; in particular, candies made with sugar alcohols typically have more calories. You should always read the nutrition label for calorie content per portion size. While four hard candies may have only 35 calories and no fat, sugar free chocolate may have 160 calories per 40 g, or five small squares.
Weight Management and Diabetes
While artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes may help with weight management, they should be used only in moderation. Since sugar-free does not equal calorie free, eating too many sugar-free foods can still lead to weight gain. Unlike artificial sweeteners, sugar alcohols can raise blood sugar levels because they're carbohydrates. However, their effect on blood sugar is less than regular sugars. You can consume sugar alcohols if you have diabetes, but you should go your doctor for guidance.
Warnings
Artificial sweeteners have been criticized for many years. Critics claim that they cause a variety of health problems, including cancer. However, the National Cancer Institute and U.S. Food and Drug Administration state there is no sound scientific evidence that the artificial sweeteners approved for use in the U.S. cause any serious health problems. However, according to The Mayo Clinic, sugar-free candies, especially consumed in large amounts, can have a laxative effect, causing bloating, intestinal gas and diarrhea.
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