Are Starburst Gluten-Free? (Yes, Here's Why)

Starbursts are individually-wrapped fruit-flavored candies. Their texture is chewy, similar to taffy. They come in original flavors (strawberry, orange, lemon, and cherry) as well as tropical flavors, sours, and jellybeans.

All forms of Starburst candies are gluten-free because they don’t contain any gluten-containing additives. Starbursts contain ingredients like tapioca dextrin and corn starch, but both of these are gluten-free. The best healthier gluten-free alternatives to Starbursts to consider are YumEarth Organic Fruit Chewys, Lovely Candy Co. Organic Chewy Candies, and GoOrganic Organic Chewy Fruit Candy.

Starbursts are considered a classic candy by many. If you’re curious to learn more about Starbursts and other alternatives, you’re in the right place!

Contents

What are Starbursts?

Starbursts are a type of chewy fruit candy manufactured by The Wrigley Company, a subsidiary of Mars Candy. They were first introduced around 1960 in the United Kingdom as Opal Fruits and then introduced in America in 1967 when the name changed to Starburst.

Are Starbursts bad for you?

Starbursts are high in added sugar. The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugar to less than 36 grams per day for men and less than 24 grams per day for women. However, the average person eats around 17 teaspoons of added sugar which equates to 68 grams per day.

What are the risks of eating a lot of added sugar?

While it’s fine to eat added sugar in low amounts, consistently eating a diet high in added sugars comes with health risks. Instead of eating added sugar, focus on healthier more nutrient-dense foods with natural sugar like fruit to get your sweet fix.

1. Weight gain

Eating added sugar contributes extra calories to your diet. If you don’t burn off those extra calories your body stores them as fat. Added sugar is a major contributor to the obesity epidemic. If you’re trying to lose weight, one of the best places to start is by being mindful of how much added sugar you’re eating.

2. Insulin resistance and blood sugar imbalances

Millions of people have a condition called prediabetes, the precursor to developing type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes are caused by insulin resistance.

Insulin resistance is when your body doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t respond to insulin very well. Eating a high-sugar diet can worsen insulin resistance.

3. Reduced blood sugar control in people with diabetes

If you already have diabetes, you probably are well aware of the effect added sugar has on your blood sugar control. Sugar-sweetened foods and drinks raise blood sugar more quickly whereas foods like vegetables, meat, nuts, and seeds don’t raise your blood sugar nearly as much.

4. Increased risk of heart disease

Eating a lot of added sugar contributes to inflammation and high blood pressure, both of which contribute to heart disease.

According to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), people who consume more added sugar (17-21% of total calories) have a 38% higher risk of dying from heart disease compared to people who eat less (8% of total calories) added sugar.

5. Dental caries

Sugar feeds the bad bacteria in your mouth. These bacteria produce an acid that damages the enamel of your teeth. Eating a high-sugar diet in combination with not practicing good oral hygiene can cause dental caries, the technical term for cavities in your teeth.

6. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Diets high in sugar are one of the risk factors for developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD occurs in people who don’t have liver damage from drinking alcohol. Over time, NAFLD can lead to scarring and damage to the liver.

Starburst Nutrition Information

Starburst Sour Gummies

Ingredients:

Corn Syrup
Sugar
Modified Corn Starch
Water
Gelatin
Fumaric Acid
Less than 2% of: Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Calcium Lactate, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Colors (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1).

Nutrition facts (per 1 oz./7 pieces):

Calories: 100
Total Fat: 0 g
Sodium: 0 mg
Total Carbohydrate: 23 g
Total Sugars: 19 g
Added Sugars: 19 g
Protein: <1 g