What Candy Is Good For Anxiety: Temporary Relief vs. Long-Term Solutions

January 9, 2026 •

3 min read

According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, over 40 million adults in the U.S. are affected by an anxiety disorder in a given year. In moments of intense distress, some people turn to an unconventional and temporary tool: candy.

Quick Summary

This article explores how some candies, particularly sour or chewy types, offer temporary sensory distraction and grounding during an anxiety spike. It differentiates this short-term tactic from effective long-term management strategies, highlighting the risks of relying on high-sugar sweets and detailing healthier dietary and behavioral alternatives.

Key Points

Sour Candy for Grounding: Intense sour flavor offers immediate sensory distraction during anxiety/panic attacks.
Chewing as a Calming Tool: Rhythmic chewing can provide calming muscle stimuli during stress.
Dark Chocolate's Mild Benefits: High-cocoa dark chocolate may boost mood and reduce stress hormones due to specific compounds.
Avoid Excess Sugar: High-sugar candy can exacerbate anxiety long-term through blood glucose swings, inflammation, and hormone imbalances.
Seek Long-Term Strategies: Sustainable anxiety management involves a healthy diet, hydration, exercise, mindfulness, and therapy.
Distraction is Not a Cure: Candy offers temporary relief but is not a substitute for professional mental health treatment or addressing underlying causes.

Using Sensory Distraction for Immediate Anxiety Relief

When feelings of anxiety or panic begin to spiral, a powerful sensory experience can serve as a grounding technique, pulling your focus away from racing thoughts and back to the present moment. This is where certain candies can be beneficial as a temporary tool.

Sour Candy: The Sensory Jolt

Intensely sour candies like Warheads or Sour Patch Kids can interrupt an anxiety cycle. The sudden, strong taste sensation makes your brain focus on the present, potentially dampening the fear response and providing a moment to use other coping methods like deep breathing. This sensory grounding technique is recognized by some mental health professionals as a short-term aid.

Chewy Candy: The Calming Act of Chewing

Chewing can help manage stress and anxiety. Similar to other repetitive movements, it provides muscle stimuli that can calm and organize the nervous system. Chewing may also increase blood flow to the brain and activate the parasympathetic nervous system, helping to lower heart rate and stress hormones. Chewy candies or sugar-free gum can be a useful tool during a stressful episode.

Dark Chocolate: A Mood-Boosting Indulgence

In moderation, dark chocolate may offer mood benefits due to its chemical compounds, unlike sugary candies that can cause mood swings. It contains polyphenols and flavonoids, antioxidants linked to improved brain function and lower stress hormones. Theobromine provides a mild energy boost, and tryptophan helps the brain produce serotonin, a mood-regulating neurotransmitter. Dark chocolate is also a source of magnesium, a mineral important for stress response. For best results, choose dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa and consume small amounts.

The Risks of Relying on High-Sugar Candy

Using high-sugar candies frequently for anxiety relief can worsen symptoms over time. Rapid changes in blood sugar from sugary treats can cause jitters and mood swings that mimic anxiety. Diets high in sugar are also linked to inflammation, including in the brain, and can disrupt the gut microbiome, both of which are connected to mood. High sugar intake and insulin resistance can also increase cortisol, a stress hormone.

Healthier, Long-Term Alternatives

For lasting anxiety management, focus on a healthy diet and behavioral strategies. Consider incorporating:

Probiotics: Found in foods like yogurt and kefir, they support a healthy gut microbiome linked to better mental health.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Present in salmon, walnuts, and chia seeds, omega-3s support brain function and neurotransmitters.
Magnesium-Rich Foods: Leafy greens, nuts, and seeds are good sources of magnesium, known for its calming effects.
Complex Carbohydrates: Whole grains and oats provide steady energy and promote serotonin without sugar crashes.
Hydration: Staying hydrated is important as dehydration can worsen anxiety.
Behavioral Techniques: Deep breathing, mindfulness, exercise, and therapy like CBT are effective long-term tools.

Comparison of Candies and Their Effects on Anxiety


Type of Candy	Potential Benefit (Short-Term)	Potential Risk (Short-Term & Long-Term)	Recommendation
Sour Candy	Provides intense sensory distraction for grounding during anxiety/panic.	High sugar can cause blood sugar spikes/crashes; not a long-term fix.	Use cautiously as an occasional grounding tool.
Chewy Candy / Gum	Chewing action can be calming and help reduce stress.	Sugary versions cause sugar spikes; sugar-free can cause digestive issues.	Choose sugar-free; focus on the chewing.
Dark Chocolate	Mild mood boost from flavonoids, theobromine, and magnesium; can lower cortisol.	High in calories/fat; requires moderate consumption.	Opt for high-cocoa (70%+) in moderation.
High-Sugar Candy	Temporary 'sugar rush'; fleeting comfort.	Worsens anxiety via blood sugar swings, inflammation, and potential dependency.	Best to avoid.

Conclusion

While some candies like sour or chewy types can offer a temporary, sensory distraction during high anxiety, they are not a long-term solution or cure. Dark chocolate may offer minor mood benefits in moderation. However, relying on sugary treats for emotional regulation carries risks like worsening anxiety due to blood sugar fluctuations and other negative health effects. Effective, lasting anxiety management requires a comprehensive approach including a healthy diet, hydration, exercise, behavioral techniques, and professional support. Addressing the root causes of anxiety is key, rather than relying on temporary fixes. For more information on sugar's impact on mental health, you can consult this Healthline article.

Frequently Asked Questions

The extreme sour taste acts as a powerful sensory distraction. It forces your brain to focus on the present sensation rather than the spiraling anxious thoughts, helping to break the cycle of a panic attack.

No, relying on high-sugar candy is not a good long-term solution. Excessive sugar can lead to blood sugar spikes and crashes, mood swings, and inflammation, which can ultimately worsen anxiety symptoms.

Dark chocolate with high cocoa content (70%+) contains flavonoids, theobromine, and magnesium. These compounds can help reduce stress hormones like cortisol, boost mood-regulating neurotransmitters like serotonin, and offer calming effects.

The act of chewing provides muscle sense stimuli that can be calming and help trigger the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the 'rest and digest' response.

For immediate grounding during a peak anxiety moment, sour or chewy candy can offer a quick, distracting jolt. For a mild mood boost without a crash, dark chocolate is a better option. Avoid high-sugar, low-cocoa choices entirely.

Yes. Healthier alternatives include complex carbohydrates like oats, probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, and foods high in magnesium and omega-3s, such as nuts and fatty fish. Behavioral techniques like deep breathing and mindfulness are also highly effective.

If you experience frequent or persistent anxiety, it is best to seek professional help from a mental health provider. Strategies like candy offer only temporary relief and do not address the root cause of anxiety.