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Ingredients: enriched wheat flour, icing sugar, sugar, shortening (palm oil, soybean oil, modified palm oil), water, liquid whole egg, blueberries, butter (contains milk) baking powder, glucose, modified potato starch, salt, natural flavours, guar gum, xanthan gum, sunflower oil*
Enriched Wheat Flour
Purpose
Enriched wheat flour is added for the formation of the scone and is used to make the pastry.
Health Benefits
Enriched wheat flour is refined, which means it is stripped of many of the nutrients (1). The flour is then enriched, adding vitamins but not fibre (2). Fibre helps prevent constipation and acts as a fuel for your good bacteria (3).
Potential Health Risks
Because fibre slows down digestion and makes you feel less hungry, consuming products with too little fibre may lead to weight gain (4, 43). People who eat excess simple carbohydrates like white flour may consume more calories than they need, increasing the risks of weight gain and diabetes (6). Lack of fibre may also trigger symptoms of regurgitation, indigestion, and heartburn (5).
Recommendation
Choose whole-grain flour more often and limit the consumption of white and refined flour.
Icing Sugar/Sugar/Glucose
Purpose
Icing sugar and sugar are both used for the taste of sweetness found in or glazed on scones. Variations of these ingredients may be found in other blueberry scone products, but all act as a sweetener for the scones and help with the texture of baked goods (46).
Health Benefits
Sugar provides a source of energy for the human body.
Potential Health Risks
Eating too much sugar can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, acne, diabetes, fatty liver, and high blood pressure, which can lead to other conditions (7). Although there has been a publication stating that invert sugar can induce glucose intolerance in rats, this is not a significant concern for an otherwise healthy person (44). By damaging the pancreas, blood glucose levels rise which can lead to diabetes; uncontrolled high blood sugar can damage your blood vessels and organs, including the brain and the kidneys, (46, 7). Producing too many hormones may thicken the arteries, causing heart problems and strokes as well (7).
Recommendation
Added sugars are not needed for people, but if someone wants to include some in their diets, the highest daily recommended intake of added sugars is approximately 25 grams for women and 37.5 grams for men (7). It is better to consume naturally occurring sugars from fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and overall consume less sugar while making sure we don’t go over the maximum recommended daily intake, in order to avoid any problems caused by overconsumption.
Palm Oil/Modified Palm Oil
Purpose
Palm oil is a widely used vegetable oil because of its cheapness, and because it is found in many products, it is difficult to avoid (8). It is used to produce the soft texture and crumble of the scones (8).
Health Benefits
Palm oil can help those who are vitamin A deficient or at risk of deficiency (9). It also contains tocotrienols, a form of vitamin E with strong antioxidant properties that may help to maintain brain function (9). Despite the health benefits, most companies do not use pure palm oil. Modified palm oil is a good source of fats, yet it generally provides just that.
Potential Health Risks
Overeating palm oil, modified or not, can increase saturated fat intake into the body and can lead to heart diseases, heart attacks and strokes from potential plaque clog in the arteries by raising “bad” (LDL) cholesterol (10).
Recommendation
Generally, palm oil is okay to consume; however, as palm oil is high in saturated fat, it is recommended to consume less of this oil and instead consume oils that contain unsaturated fats. As palm oil is made from palm trees, a reason for consumers to avoid it is environmental impacts such as deforestation, loss of biodiversity, greenhouse gas emissions, and pollution which will only intensify due to global warming (42).
Soybean Oil
Purpose
Soybean oil is a kind of vegetable oil used in the scones to enhance the texture of the scones and to make the scones more palatable.
Health Benefits
Pure soybean oil can reduce LDL cholesterol levels because it contains polyunsaturated fats instead of saturated fats (11). It may also help maintain bone health due to its vitamin K content and skin health as it is rich in vitamin E (11). However, most companies will not use pure soybean oil. Most might use hydrogenated soybean oil, and because it is trans fat, it can lead to metabolic disorders and heart disease (12).
Potential Health Risks
When overconsumed, effects include increased risks of weight gain and diseases like diabetes (12). Soybean oil also has high amounts of omega-6 fatty acids called linoleic acid (12). Overeating omega-6 changes the ways cells interact with each other, which is harmful to the heart and blood vessels, further leading to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (12).
Recommendation:
Generally, consume soybean oil in moderate amounts. The amount of oil you should consume depends on your health conditions and other variables like your overall food and nutrient intake.
Water
Purpose
Water is needed for the consistency of the scones and for the pastry to have moisture, and it helps blend the ingredients of the scones together (13).
Health Benefits
Water is great for all systems of the body and important for all living things to survive. It is beneficial for our immune system and is needed in close to all bodily functions in the human body. As there is not enough water in the scones, consumers don’t receive any health benefits unless consuming a high water content beverage or product like fruits and vegetables.
Potential Health Risks
Drinking too much water can lead to overhydration and water intoxication (14). Having too much water in the blood can negatively impact body cells of organs, causing them to swell up from excess water, or reducing the sodium in the body that helps cells signal other cells, which may lead to severe headaches, dizziness, vomiting, difficulty breathing, muscle weakness, increased blood pressure, and/or confusion (14).
Recommendation
About eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day are recommended (15).
Liquid Whole Egg
Purpose
Liquid whole eggs are used in the making of the scones because it is more efficient than cracking eggs when making the scones. Many companies use these eggs for their efficiency to make products. One of the main purposes is to bind ingredients together. Liquid whole eggs differ from normal ones by being cracked and mixed in a container at a certain temperature to kill bacteria (salmonella) (16). They are much safer to use in commercial use (16).
Health Benefits
Eggs provide essential vitamins and nutrients, such as protein, choline and omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce the thickness of blood to prevent cardiovascular and circulatory diseases (17).
Potential Health Risks
Although eggs have cholesterol in the yolk, the cholesterol in eggs doesn't seem to raise cholesterol levels the way other cholesterol-containing foods or foods high in saturated fat do (18). However, health experts suggest limiting dietary cholesterol as bad cholesterol can make the arteries less flexible, making it harder for blood to flow (19). Over time plaque can build up in the arteries, potentially leading to heart disease, strokes and heart attacks (19).
Too many fats may negatively affect how cells use hormones in the body as well (19).
Recommendation
Eating up to two eggs a day is reasonable for the average person, while people with diabetes or other conditions may want to check with their doctor (20, 21, 22).
Blueberries
Purpose
Blueberries are in the scones to provide natural sweetness, tartness, and blueberry flavour of the scones.
Health Benefits
Blueberries are packed with essential vitamins, like Vitamin C, that are important for the body to function the best it can (23). They also help with digestion because they are rich in fibre and have other chemicals to prevent cancer and inflammation (23).
Potential Health Risks
Eating too many blueberries can increases fibre intake drastically, which could be bad for the digestive system (24). This could lead to diarrhea, stomach discomfort, and bloating (24). In addition, this may affect swallowing, breathing, fainting, and skin rashes, increase the risk of internal damage, and may cause fainting (24).
Recommendation
About ¼ cup (59 grams) for one- to three-year-olds, ⅓ cup (79 grams) for four- to five-year-olds, and ½ cup (118 grams) of blueberries for those six years of age and up per day are recommended (23). This, however, may vary depending on your health conditions.
Butter (contains milk)
Purpose
Butter is fat from milk or cream. It is added for flavour and helps the pastry rise.
Health Benefits
It provides fat, which is needed to store energy and fuel the body. Additionally, butter contains many vitamins, including vitamin D, which helps prevent bone diseases (25). Other vitamins found in butter may contribute to healthier skin and better eye health (25). Although butter has these vitamins, they do not have a significant amount to be beneficial.
Potential Health Risks
Butter is high in calories and can lead to weight gain (25). It also contains saturated fats, which can lead to high cholesterol, and this can then result in hardened arteries, causing higher chances of stroke and heart diseases (25).
Recommendation
There is no set amount of butter that everyone should be eating since everyone has different resistances to ingredients and conditions. According to the American Heart Association, those who want to decrease their LDL cholesterol should consume no more than six percent of their total calorie intake from saturated fat (26).
Baking Powder
Purpose
Baking powder is chemicals used in the scones to help them rise, creating a light, fluffy texture (29).
Health Benefits
Baking powder is non-toxic and does not affect the body in small amounts (28).
Potential Health Risks
Overdoses of baking powder can be very harmful due to sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) in the baking powder and can lead to complications, including thirst, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (28).
Recommendation
Regulations prevent overdoses of baking powder from happening, so there is no need to worry about the amounts of baking powder used in food products, plus too much would make an unpleasant taste.
Modified Potato Starch
Purpose
Modified potato starch and other modified food starches are used to thicken food products (29). For example, the scone’s dough could thicken more quickly with modified potato starch as opposed to regular potato starch. Any modified food starch is starch that has been altered, either chemically, physically, or enzymatically, for a specific purpose (30).
Health Benefits
Potato starch helps feed the good bacteria inside the intestines, helping the digestive system (29).
Potential Health Risks:
Potato starch is low in nutrients and vitamins and has only carbohydrates (30). Furthermore, it may cause digestive issues, like bloating and gas (30).
Recommendation
You should get at least 180 to 358 grams of ideally higher fibre, complex carbohydrates per day (this amount is based on a 1,600- to 2,200- calorie diet) (31). Those with health complications may have to be more aware of their intake and lower the amount of carbohydrates they eat.
Salt
Purpose
Salt is added to the pastry to stabilize the rising of the scones and for texture, flavour, and colour.
Health Benefits
Sodium found in salt plays many roles in the body, from muscle function to nerve transmission (32).
Potential Health Risks
Eating too much salt or more than the recommended amount can lead to high blood pressure over time (32). This can also affect the kidneys by damaging blood vessels, leading to the buildup of water and waste in the body (kidney failure) (33).
Recommendation
For those who are not suffering from cystic fibrosis, the maximum recommended daily intake of sodium is approximately 2,300 mg/day, which is equal to around one teaspoon of added salt (34).
Natural Flavours
Purpose
Natural flavours are used to enhance the taste of the scones (35). There are many chemical additives in them, and they are highly processed (35).
Health Benefits
Manufacturers often do not disclose any data about natural flavours; therefore, we can not make any supported claims on the effects it may have on the organs of the body.
Potential Health Risks
When consumed occasionally, they seem safe for human consumption. The reality is that there are a number of chemicals present in natural flavours; therefore, it is very possible for harmful individual reactions to occur in people.
Recommendation
There is no set recommendation for natural flavours. They are okay to consume every now and then because they are found in numerous foods but remember to be cautious if you are on a special diet or have allergies.
Guar Gum
Purpose
Guar gum is the fibre from the seed of the guar plant (36). Guar gum is used in the scones to thicken the batter and bind the ingredients together.
Health Benefits
Guar gum can regulate the amount of moisture in stool and relieve constipation (36). It may also help lower cholesterol and reduce the amount of glucose sugar absorbed in the stomach and intestines (35).
Potential Health Risks
Eating too much guar gum can block the esophagus and small bowel (36). Digestive symptoms, including gas and bloating, may occur in some people as well (36).
Recommendation
Overeating guar gum should not be a problem as food regulations limit the amount of guar gum in products to a safe amount for consumers. Unless you are eating very large amounts of products containing guar gum, you should not worry about your consumption of guar gum.
Xanthan Gum
Purpose
Xanthan gum is used as a thickening agent in the scones (38). Xanthan gum is made when sugar is fermented with a specific kind of bacteria called Xanthomonas campestris (39).
Health Benefits
Xanthan gum helps stimulate the intestine to push food through it due to its swelling (38). Moreover, it may help decrease the absorption of sugars in the digestive system because it slows the amount of sugar that is absorbed into the bloodstream by turning itself into a gel-like substance (39).
Potential Health Risks
Taking more than 15 grams of xanthan gum can lead to digestive issues, increased gas, and altered gut bacteria (39).
Recommendation
Regulations make the gum safe for consumers to eat. It is very unlikely for people to experience significant negative or positive health effects from xanthan gum in food products. However, it is recommended to not consume more than 15 grams of xanthan gum per day in order to avoid the discussed health risks (39).
Sunflower Oil
Purpose
Sunflower oil is made from sunflower seeds (40). It is used in the scones to enhance the texture of the scones.
Health Benefits
Sunflower oil appears to lower cholesterol and the risk of heart disease due to oleic acid (41).
Potential Health Risks
Due to an abundance of omega-6 fatty acids in sunflower oil, overconsuming omega-6 can change the way cells interact with each other and result in damage to the heart and blood vessels (12). Some other health risks include increased weight, stomach/intestinal pain, and diseases, such as diabetes (40).
Recommendation
Although sunflower oil has health benefits, avoid overconsuming it, especially in combination with other added fats from other sources. One can still consume sunflower oil but in low amounts. According to research, it is recommended to consume approximately 20 grams (1.5 tablespoons) of high-oleic sunflower per day instead of other fats and oils high in saturated fat to reduce the risk of heart disease (40).
Overview: High in Sugar, limit to one every few days
Although blueberry scones are tasty, they are often very high in sugar. limit baked goods to one every few days, especially if larger (more than 4 oz) and if having them, keep in balance with whole food snacks like apples, trail mix, vegetables, etcetera. If consuming more than two scones a day, the effects of higher blood sugar on the body may occur, among other health risks.
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Credits:
Researcher: Ethan Ma
Reviewed by: Karen Giesbrecht (Registered Dietitian) | Lynda Soberanes (Registered Dietitian) | Elena Kwan (UBC dietitian student)
Editor: Tanya
Graphics: Ali. S
Last updated on March 21st, 2022, 4:55 PM PST/PDT
*Disclaimer: Ingredients may vary from company to company and product to product. The information included is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, please consult a registered dietitian for nutrition recommendations that are customized for you.
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