While many of us are eagerly stocking up on gummy snacks and treats over the Christmas holidays, there is one type of confection that many of us may want to avoid: the “viagra” gummy.
The confection may not look scary, but it can pack a powerful punch. Gelato is a delicious Italian confection that is popular all over the world. It is made by softening cream or milk or combining both with fruit juice and a lot of sugar. The mixture is then churned into small pieces of ice cream that are packed with fruit.
If you are unfamiliar, gelato generally refers to the smooth texture of the confection when it’s on the palate. But the dessert also comes in a pill-shaped version that is meant to be swallowed. While the texture and flavor of gelato are similar to ice cream, it is a completely different animal. The pill-shaped gelato is essentially a sugarcube with a gelatin capsule at the center.
If you’re not familiar with gelato, here are a few reasons why you may want to steer clear of the pill-shaped variety.
It’s Probably Not Healthy
Gelato is frequently used as a dessert option in restaurants because it is relatively easy to make and doesn’t require too much labor. As a result, it is quite popular all over the world and can be found in most dessert shops. What makes it special is the way it is manufactured.
The typical process of making gelato is very similar to making ice cream, which we all learned about in school. The difference is that gelato is churned until it becomes smooth and scoopable, while ice cream is left somewhat chunky. Therefore, eating gelato is probably not the same as eating ice cream, and there is some evidence that suggests it may not be healthy. For example, in one study from the United Kingdom, people who consumed the most gelatto had the highest rates of type 2 diabetes. In another study, the same group had the highest risk of heart disease.
The Taste Is Underwhelming
There are many reasons why you may not like something, but the main reason why you should probably avoid gelato is that it just doesn’t taste that good. When you eat the regular, non-pillsized variety, the flavor is quite unremarkable, and you don’t really notice it that much while you’re eating. However, when you take a bite out of the sugar-filled pill, the taste of artificial sweeteners becomes very apparent. The texture is smooth and creamy thanks to the gelatine, but the flavor is quite boring and completely unoriginal.
If you are fortunate enough to have tried gelato, you may notice that it doesn’t melt as much as other desserts once it is placed in the mouth. This is because the gelatin in gelato helps it to remain firm in the colder temperatures of the mouth. When you consider that gelato is frequently used in Italian restaurants as a dessert option, you may realize that this particular variety may not be the healthiest choice. But that’s something you need to decide for yourself, because it’s certainly not my place to judge.
It Has A High Glycemic Index
There is some evidence to suggest that the regular size of gelato has a higher glycemic index than other types of confection. In short, this means that it creates a spike in blood sugar, which may have some serious health consequences if you eat too much of it. The glycemic index of a food or drink is a measurement of how much it raises blood sugar levels compared to other foods. The higher the number, the greater the spike. Some research suggests that the GI of gelato is around 73, which is higher than that of other desserts, including ice cream (GI: 55).
Just because a food has a high glycemic index does not necessarily mean that it’s bad for you. But if you’re sensitive to blood sugar levels or have diabetes, you may want to avoid eating foods with a high glycemic index. This includes many types of cake, doughnuts, and cookies, as well as some salads and pastas. If you have a choice, go for the non-pillsized variety of gelato, because it has a much lower glycemic index than the pill-shaped variety, making it a healthier option for those with diabetes or blood sugar issues.
As you can see, there are many reasons why you may want to avoid drinking gelato. But now that you know the reasons, it’s up to you to decide if you want to continue eating it or change your habits around it. If you decide to continue eating it, be smart about what you choose and make sure that you are aware of how much sugar is in it. Many people underestimate the sweet substance in gelato, so they eat it without realizing how much sugar is in it. If you want to change your habits, choose an alternative dessert option instead. But if you really can’t help it, at least try to choose a smaller portion, so you don’t feel sick afterward.