Sugar may help make vitamins more bearable, but not all gummy multivitamins are created equal. When selecting your gummy vitamin, look for one with natural fruit flavors and no more than two grams of sugar per serving.
Avoid products containing refined sugars and sugar alcohols like sorbitol that could potentially cause digestive issues in some people, and take note of their ingredients if you have food allergies or sensitivities.
Convenience
Gummy vitamins are easy to take and come with an appealing taste, making them a good solution for adults who can’t swallow traditional pills or capsules. In fact, these tasty vitamins may even be more convenient than tablets because you can simply pop one anywhere you are going!
Gummies tend to contain less added sugars than traditional pill supplements, which is great news for those trying to minimize added sugar intake (which has been linked to obesity, Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease), yet many gummies still contain high amounts of refined sugars or sugar alcohols that could cause digestive issues in some individuals.
When shopping for low-sugar gummy supplements, look for ingredients free from artificial sweeteners and colors, gluten-free status is also an important consideration as some products use fillers, bulking agents and binders which could cause issues for those living with celiac disease or sensitivities. Furthermore, always read labels carefully so you get exactly the amount of vitamins and minerals per serving.
Taste
Gummy vitamins owe their sweetness to sugar or its alternative ingredients such as erythritol, mannitol and isomalt, all of which contribute to their flavor. The American Heart Association suggests 25 grams per day for women and 36 for men – multiple daily doses of gummies may exceed this recommendation. Although sugar-free candies don’t contain added sweeteners such as citric acid that wears away tooth enamel quickly.
Look for gummies with lower sugar contents if you have diabetes or follow a kosher or vegan diet, and avoid artificial sweeteners such as aspartame that have been linked with higher risks of diabetes and neurological conditions.
Ingredients
Gummy vitamins often contain added sugars, sugar alcohols and artificial flavorings which may lead to weight gain, tooth decay and other health concerns. They also often lead to digestive issues including bloating and diarrhea in some people.
Many vitamin gummies contain gluten, which may be dangerous for people living with Celiac Disease and other food sensitivities. Furthermore, many vitamin gummies also contain other additives like binders, fillers, sweeteners, and stabilizers – possibly making these items unsafe to consume.
Gummy vitamins often contain fat-soluble vitamins like A, D and E that can accumulate to harmful levels if too many are eaten by children or adults beyond recommended dosage levels. To protect themselves, seek out supplements with no added sugars, no artificial flavors and no artificial colors listed as ingredients – this will ensure they’re safe to take.
Dosage
Gummy vitamins typically get their sweet flavor from sugar or its alternatives; for some this might not be an issue; however, those looking to reduce sugar consumption might find this a bothersome factor. Furthermore, even “sugar-free” varieties could contain citric acid which wears down tooth enamel over time.
Gummy vitamins contain large quantities of vitamin C, an essential nutrient for immune health and wound healing. Vitamin C also assists wounds to heal faster while decreasing inflammation levels. Other gummies contain magnesium for muscle and nerve function improvement as well as lower blood pressure and managing blood sugar.
Gummies are easy to take and taste good, making them appealing to both children and adults who struggle to swallow pills or liquid supplements. Unfortunately, they don’t always provide all of the same essential nutrients, leading to potential digestive issues if taken in excess. This risk becomes especially concerning with children.
