Fun with a candy wrapper

"You can spend a really depressing hour googling the ingredients from the wrapper of the candy you just ate," states a two-year-old business magazine article I read recently.
I reckoned the research exercise would be more fun than depressing for me.
With a box of Mike and Ike Berry Blast in front of me, I began my investigation.
Sugar is first on the list, of course. This ubiquitous ingredient is bad for you because it's a mountain of calories without any vitamins, and because it raises insulin levels, which depresses the immune system, causes weight gain, increases your risk of diabetes and has many more unwanted consequences.
Next up is corn syrup, basically just another sugar.
Malic acid, found naturally in apples and other fruit, adds a tartness to the candy. It can actually boost your immune system.
Sodium citrate is another flavouring ingredient, though sometimes it's used as part of treatment for kidney stones.
Confectioner's glaze, also called (depending on use) pharmaceutical glaze, is the most interesting ingredient of the bunch. It's commonly made from an insect secretion.
Magnesium hydroxide, a filler, is sometimes used as a flame retardant in plastics and synthetic rubber. It's also a common antacid and laxative (milk of magnesia).
Overall, I gotta say the information I found doesn't bother me much. I still enjoy my Mike and Ikes -- insect secretions, flame retardant, empty calories and all.
Enjoy those Halloween candies, kids.