The festive season of Halloween is upon us, bringing with it costumes, decorations, and heaps of sugary treats. But while children eagerly anticipate this spooky holiday, many parents dread the challenging bedtime that often follows a day of candy indulgence. A recent survey from Mattress Online has delved into the relationship between sugar consumption and sleep, particularly in the aftermath of Halloween.

Mattress Online’s survey revealed that an overwhelming 86% of parents find it harder to get their children to bed after they’ve consumed sweets. Although scientific consensus on sugar’s direct impact on sleep remains elusive, parents are keen to understand which candies have the highest sugar content. This awareness allows them to make informed decisions when it comes to their children’s treat consumption.

In light of the upcoming Halloween festivities, Mattress Online took it upon themselves to investigate the sugar content of popular UK sweets. They also explored any e-numbers that the Food Standards Agency believes might be connected to increased hyperactivity in some children.

Here’s a look at the top 10 sugary culprits:

• Parma Violets. Leading the list with a whopping 94.5g of sugar per 100g.
• Skittles. Close behind with 90.0g of sugar per 100g, these also contain three hyperactivity-linked e-numbers.
• Love Hearts. These have 85.4g of sugar per 100g.
• Refreshers. Contain 82.5g of sugar for every 100g.
• Liquorice Allsorts. With 78.0g of sugar per 100g.
• Jelly Babies. Contain 74.0g sugar per 100g and two hyperactivity-linked E-numbers.
• Werther’s Originals. Have 71.6g of sugar per 100g.
• Jelly Beans. These sweets contain 70.0g of sugar per 100g.
• Mini Eggs. Have 68.0g of sugar for every 100g.
• Crunchie. This popular chocolate bar contains 65.0g of sugar per 100g.

For parents looking for popular yet lower-sugar alternatives, Haribo Starmix is a crowd-pleaser with only 47.0g of sugar per 100g. Other popular options with below-average sugar levels include Wispa, Flake, Twirl, and Cadbury Dairy Milk. The sweets with the least sugar from a list of 61 analysed are Percy Pigs, Bonbons, and the sugar-free Fruitella.

James Wilson, a sleep expert at Mattress Online, shared his insights on the matter: “Halloween is a once-a-year celebration. While it’s essential for parents to be aware of their children’s food intake, it’s also crucial to remember the context. The excitement of the festivities, combined with the sugar, might make sleep a bit challenging that night. However, it’s all part of the Halloween experience.”

Parents should be mindful of their children’s candy consumption this Halloween, especially with high-sugar candies that could impact bedtime routines. However, it’s also important to strike a balance and let kids enjoy the holiday.