Choking Hazard: M&M's Does Not Quickly Dissolve Once It Hits Saliva

Chocolates give kid's bodies the recommended amount of nutrients their bodies need to function, such as vitamins A1, B1, B2, C, and E, and minerals like magnesium. It also reduces cravings and high food intake. It also contains unique antioxidant compounds called flavonols that can help protect the heart and brain, per Super Healthy Kids.

A study entitled Cacao Seeds is a "Super Fruit: A Comparative Analysis of Various Fruit Powders and Products" determined that cocoa beans tested higher in antioxidants than blueberries and acai berries. Flavonols, on the other hand, diminish cell damage and inflammation. Eating dark chocolate can reduce a person's risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, and cognitive decline.

However, the American Association for Pediatrics (AAP) suggests that children should not consume chocolate before the age of two as it is a source of refined sugar, but data suggests that young ones best avoid it due to its caffeine content. Chocolate sizes vary as there are brands that have small and big chocolates.

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Chocolates can be potentially dangerous

While chocolates can appear beneficial to kids, little did most parents know that they pose dangers, specifically the M&M's, despite the children having a complete set of teeth. Candies are not suitable for children, as hard or chewy candies can be a choking hazard. Similar to hard candies, M&M's are colored button-shaped chocolates with the lowercase letter 'm' in every chocolate and many colors. It consists of a candy shell surrounding a filling which varies depending on the preferred flavor of M&M's.

The famous chocolate also contains food dye which became the subject of controversy. The European Food Safety Authority has called for further tests to determine whether the aforesaid dyes are safe. Foods with dyes cannot be sold in the European Union without a printed warning that they may cause hyperactivity in children. However, these chocolates, such as M&M's, are still available in almost all stores in the United States.

The dye breaks down in the blood, which can give one a quick boost followed by a crash and gradually feeds the bacteria in the mouth and produce an acid that damages teeth. Eating too many M&M's can also harm dental health and increase the chances of developing chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.

M&M's is one of the choking hazards for kids

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1 out of every 10 school-aged kids has sustained a medical diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or 41 percent. Kids may get such hyperactivity from food or even chocolates containing food dyes.

While it can give kids negative impacts on their health, M&M's can also serve as a choking hazard as it hardens once it hits saliva, which causes it to block the airway and chokes an individual, specifically kids. Usually, they have peanuts, almonds, gumballs, and round hard mints, which are all choking hazards for children, especially the younger ones. They are kinds of chocolates that don't quickly melt in the mouth, which can be dangerous for kids, per Bright Autumn Sun.

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