Gummy vitamins are designed to be easy for kids and adults to swallow without an unpleasant odor, yet their sweet taste comes from sugar, erythritol, mannitol or isomalt; but beware as some varieties contain too much of certain essential nutrients.
Children may mistake gummies as candy and consume too many, increasing the risk of vitamin or mineral overdose, such as iron overdosage. This situation should be handled very carefully to protect both child health and safety.
Ease of Use
Gummy vitamins may make supplementing enjoyable, and can even help people adhere to a regimen more easily than taking pills alone; however, they’re not suitable for all individuals; in fact some individuals may experience nutritional deficiency from taking gummies vitamins alone. Before making your decision about taking them consult with your primary care physician first to see if gummies are the right option for you.
Since gummies are not regulated by the FDA, it can be hard to be certain of what you’re getting. Many contain sugars and sugar alcohols which contribute to tooth decay, bloating, diarrhea and other unwanted symptoms; others contain artificial food colorings which could harm children or pregnant women.
Additionally, taking vitamins and minerals in gummy form makes it easy to overdose; parents regularly post on Mumsnet forums when their kids consume too many candies. Also, due to gummies having a shorter shelf life than pills or liquid supplements, keeping up with daily dosing requirements may become harder – something especially relevant for busy schedules.
Flavor
Gummies can often make taking vitamins more enjoyable for both children and adults who struggle to swallow pills, or simply prefer candy-like supplements.
These gummies have been laboratory-tested and third-party verified for quality. They’re made without dairy, gluten, synthetic (FD&C) dyes or high fructose corn syrup – plus contain fish oil from small fish sources to minimize mercury exposure.
Fruity-flavored gummies that provide more vitamin C than their competitors are available. Furthermore, these treats do not contain artificial flavors and preservatives – perfect for people who find traditional multivitamins difficult to swallow.
Convenience
Gummy vitamins offer many advantages because they’re easily eaten on-the-go and chewable, making them more likely to be taken than pill-form supplements. Plus, their chewy form appeals to children as well as adults who find swallowing pills unpleasant or difficult.
Gummies do have some drawbacks, including their sugar content ranging between two and eight grams per serving, which could contribute to tooth decay when eaten regularly if sweetened with sugar alcohols or high-sugar fruit juices.
Gummies tend to degrade faster than tablets and capsules, and their flavor may differ less consistently. Furthermore, it can be challenging to determine how much of each vitamin or mineral you’re receiving; thus making it easy to overdose or underdose certain nutrients.
Dedicated gum chewers should look for brands that prioritize premium ingredients and scientific formulation, and check both their nutrition facts label as well as any relevant nutrition guidelines to find products they need.
Health Concerns
Gummies contain significant amounts of added sugars — even sugar-free varieties — which can contribute to weight gain, diabetes and dental issues. According to the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, no more than 25 grams should be added daily and one serving of some gummy vitamins could easily surpass this recommended limit.
Eating healthily typically provides all the vitamins and minerals you require; however, some people – pregnant women, those with limited diet options, or postmenopausal women — may require supplementation of vitamins, particularly minerals like calcium and zinc. Gummies often offer greater amounts than required.
If too much gummy candy is eaten, the body could absorb excess amounts of these nutrients and experience side effects such as digestive upset, nausea and vomiting, or fatigue. Some gummies also contain added sugars that could inhibit absorption of certain nutrients – including iron.
