Gummy vitamins are popular supplements that come with an appealing candy-like taste, perfect for filling gaps in diet or providing essential nutrients like fiber, calcium, iron or melatonin.
But these supplements also come with potential drawbacks; to meet vitamin needs best, it is wise to consume a balanced diet.
Easy to swallow
Gummy vitamins may be a suitable option for many adults as they’re easy to swallow and taste delicious – which increases their likelihood of regular usage. But keep in mind that these sweet treats may contain significant amounts of sugar; in addition, some contain citric acid which could damage tooth enamel.
Gummy vitamins contain sugar, erythritol, mannitol, isomalt and other sugar alcohols to create their sweet flavor, and these ingredients may cause diarrhea, bloating or other digestive issues in some people. Furthermore, being classified as food rather than drugs means they do not undergo stringent nutritional testing and therefore typically have lower nutrient levels than advertised on their labels.
Gummies do not provide sufficient iron, an essential mineral for women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, nor may they contain pork-derived gelatin and carmine, both of which could present issues for vegans and those following kosher diets.
Added sugar
Gummy vitamins contain too much sugar despite being advertised as “sugar-free,” even though many contain up to 8 grams per serving – more than is recommended by the American Heart Association daily! In addition, additional sugar from gummies contributes to tooth decay while some use citric acid as an artificial sweetener that could potentially cause digestive issues or cause bloating.
Too much added sugar has been linked with obesity, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Furthermore, excessive amounts of added sugar make it harder for the body to absorb vital nutrients if taken in large quantities; also, gum often uses sugar alcohols such as sorbitol which can lead to digestive upsets.
Less nutrients per serving
Gummy vitamins may be appealing for those who struggle with swallowing pills, yet typically provide less nutrients per serving due to sugars, colorings, and filler compounds used to create their sticky texture.
Although these gummies contain some choline, DHA and iron, they lack magnesium which is an essential nutrient during gestation. Therefore, it would be wise to only use them as a last resort and meet your nutrient needs through food intake if following a vegan diet.
Gummy vitamins can be difficult to digest and leave a bad aftertaste in your mouth, in addition to often containing sugar alcohols that cause bloating and stomach upset in some individuals. This particular gummy vitamin stack uses erythritol – an extremely low calorie sugar alcohol that may not suit everyone; third party testing ensures it is free from allergens or additives – for an improved experience.
Lack of regulation
Gummy vitamins offer an easy and tasty alternative to traditional vitamin pills; however, their drawbacks must be carefully considered prior to adding them as part of a daily supplement regimen.
One of the primary issues associated with gummies is their high sugar content. Many are sweetened with either sugar or sugar substitutes, adding extra calories to our diets and increasing weight gain and tooth decay. Furthermore, their sticky texture causes them to adhere directly to teeth, contributing to plaque buildup.
Gummies do not fall under the same regulation as traditional supplements, making it harder to assess exactly how much of each vitamin or mineral you’re getting. Furthermore, their half-liquid/half-solid form makes them less effective and could even lead to nutritional deficiencies – ultimately the best way to ensure you receive all of your necessary vitamins and minerals is a balanced diet.
