MARS vs Snickers - Health impact and Nutrition Comparison

Summary

Mars bar is higher in carbs, calories and has a higher glycemic index. On the other hand, snickers are richer in proteins and are higher in fats. Their vitamin and mineral profiles are poor. Consumption should be minimal because of their increased risks for different health disorders.

Introduction

Mars and snickers are chocolate bars that are widely known around the world. However, in the United States, mars bars are marketed in a milky way that comes in brown packaging. A global version of the milky way comes in a blue wrap; however, the two milky ways are not similar. Mars bars are marketed as the milky way in the US that come in a brown wrap.

Snickers, on the other hand, are widely known all over the world to be the same. It has many versions that are available worldwide.

In this article, we will discuss the difference between mars bars and snickers bars according to their nutritional content, health impacts, diets and weight loss, and variations.

What are the actual differences?

There are many differences which are regional availability, price, taste, and flavor.

Regional availability

Mars bars are available worldwide except in the US. However, the milky way in the US is the same as the mars bar.

Snickers, on the other hand, are available worldwide.

Price

Mars bars and snickers have similar prices. However, as varieties of each exist, the prices might be different between those.

Taste and flavor

The main difference of a mars bar is that it is made of a layer of nougat, caramel and all over coated with milk chocolate. In comparison, the main difference in snickers is the extra peanuts added to the nougat, caramel, and milk chocolate layer.

Nutritional content

The following sections will be discussed according to 100g of each. However, 1 bar of mars weighs 58g, and 1 bar of snickers weighs around 53g.

Calories

Mars bars and snickers have similar amounts of calories. However, when comparing each bar, due to the smaller weight of snickers, it has lower calories than mars.

Glycemic index

Mars bar has a higher glycemic index than snickers. Mars bar has a glycemic index of 62, whereas snickers have a glycemic index of 51.

Carbs

Mars contains higher amounts of carbs than snickers. It is important to note that they both contain very high amounts of carbs, which should be a matter of consideration while eating. In addition to that, the source of carbs is nearly totally from refined sugars.

Protein

Snickers contain higher amounts of protein than mars. Mostly from milk and egg, which is from the nougat and chocolate.

Fat

Snickers contain higher amounts of fat than mars. The fat content of both is nearly 99% from saturated fat sources.

Minerals

They don't have rich and versatile mineral profiles; however, they contain significant amounts of calcium equal for both. In addition to that, they contain iron and sodium. Mars is richer in iron whereas, snickers has higher amounts of sodium.

We can see the difference in their mineral charts in the following diagram.

Mineral Comparison

Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" chart below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food

MARS

2

:

0

Snickers

Contains more Iron +26.5%

Contains less Sodium -28%

Equal in Calcium - 90

MARS

Snickers

Contains more Iron +26.5%

Contains less Sodium -28%

Equal in Calcium - 90

Vitamins

Their vitamin profiles are very poor. Small amounts of vitamin A are present, however, not of much significance.

We can see the difference in their vitamin charts in the following diagram.

Vitamin Comparison

Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" chart below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food

MARS

1

:

0

Snickers

Contains more Vitamin A +39.2%

Equal in Vitamin C - 0.5

MARS

Snickers

Contains more Vitamin A +39.2%

Equal in Vitamin C - 0.5

Mars bars and snickers are mostly made of macronutrients mainly focused on refined sugars and saturated fats.

Varieties

In the case of Mars bars, there are different varieties. These are what are available in the market. Some may be discontinued in certain regions.

• Almond bars
• Midnight
• Lite
• Bisc &
• Gold
• Triple chocolate
• Mix
• Lava
• Maple
• Planets
• Dark and light
• Rocks
• Miniatures
• 100% caramel
• Honeycomb
• Delight
• XXX
• Frozen dessert bar
• Midnight ice cream bars
• Mini eggs
• World cup
• Red
• Fling
• Vanilla
• Chill
• Loaded

In the case of snickers, there are also many varieties, for example:

• Original
• Almond
• Brownie
• Protein bar
• White
• Creamy peanut butter
• Crisp
• Hazelnut
• Crisp duo
• Peanut butter
• Minis
• Bites
• Mix
• Duo bar
• Candy tree
• Yard

As we can see from the list, there are different varieties for each; there are ice cream versions that also have varieties. Protein bars are available for each, which have a different macronutrient profile and are more expensive.

There are deep-fried versions of mars and snickers. A breading over the bar is done before frying. This is highly filled with refined sugars, fats, and trans fats.

Weight loss and diets

Mars bars and snickers are mostly composed of high amounts of refined sugars and saturated fats; thus, they are not an option to be part of a diet during a weight loss program. It can be called "unnecessary calories"; thus, it is better to avoid them. However, some days when extra tired and nothing is accessible as quickly as a snickers or mars bar, they serve as a great energy booster and help maintain sugar levels in case of hypoglycemia.

Keto

Mars and Snickers bars are forbidden to be consumed on a keto diet. They are packed with refined sugars and have very high carb levels. Thus avoid at all costs.

Vegan

Mars and snickers contain milk and egg products; thus, they should be avoided during the vegan diet. However, they are considered vegetarian. It is important to take into consideration their high amounts of sugars and fats.

Health impacts

Cardiovascular health

Refined sugars and high amounts of saturated fats are some of the main risks of increased cardiovascular diseases. As mentioned above in the macromolecular section, both mars bar and snickers contain high amounts of saturated fats and refined sugars. These are one of the main factors of increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. (1)

This study shows no association with

Diabetes

Diabetes and metabolic disorders are some of the main reasons for high mortality among populations. High caloric intake, high amounts of saturated fats, and refined sugars are the main reasons to increase risks of developing type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. (2) Mars bar and snickers bar fit the category of high saturated fat and high sugar foods.

Cancer

Mars and snickers contain high amounts of sugars which are directly indicative of increased risks of cancer. The increased risk of cancer development is between 23% and 200%, which is highly significant. (3)

Guidelines

Overall, guidelines indicate that to maintain good cardiovascular health regarding diet restrictions and control, there has to be a reduction of saturated fat and reduced intake of refined sugars. The saturated fat intake shouldn't surpass 10% of the total caloric intake. (4)

References

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26586275/
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11508264/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29801420/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5642188/