Gummy minerals have quickly become one of the hottest product categories on the supplements market. Consumers love them due to their flavor, texture and convenience.
However, chewable vitamins may contain additional sugars and sugar alcohols and do not always list their nutrient content accurately on labels. Furthermore, overconsumption may result in vitamin and mineral toxicity.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient essential to wound healing and immune health. As an antioxidant it also protects cells against damage. Gummies are an easy and tasty way to consume Vitamin C; with various doses available at various price points. Unfortunately, their sweetness comes from sugar or its replacement; according to the American Heart Association they should contain no more than 25 grams for women daily and 36 for men per day; additionally even sugar-free options still contain citric acid which wears away at tooth enamel.
Vitamins and minerals should ideally come from various food sources, with fruits and vegetables providing ample vitamin C content, while cereals and grains also contain it. Animal products also contain this mineral; for those following vegan or vegetarian diets gummy supplements may be an alternative solution.
Magnesium
Magnesium is an essential mineral, playing an essential role in over 300 body processes such as nerve and muscle function, blood sugar regulation, blood pressure management, protein production and DNA synthesis. Magnesium can be found both naturally in foods as well as taken supplementallly; commonly it’s used to treat constipation and ease heartburn while preeclampsia/eclampsia complications of pregnancy can also benefit greatly from taking magnesium supplementation; finally torsades de pointes is another condition magnesium can treat.
Gummies offer an easy and tasty way to increase magnesium consumption. A fitness brand partnered with a contract manufacturer to develop post-workout magnesium gummies marketed towards athletes to aid muscle recovery, and another specifically targeted towards seniors as an aid for bone and heart health. Both varieties appealed to broad consumer bases while increasing daily supplementation compliance.
Melatonin
Melatonin levels fluctuate throughout the night and day in our bodies, impacting sleep-wake cycles. If insomnia disrupts these rhythms, taking melatonin supplements may help some individuals fall asleep faster – in addition to treating insomnia or treating other sleep disorders as well as alleviating symptoms associated with jet lag.
Before taking melatonin, it is advisable to speak to your healthcare provider as it may interact with certain medications. Melatonin may increase the effectiveness of anticoagulants and blood-thinners; alter anticonvulsant effects; affect sugar levels when taking diabetes medication; increase sedative effects from central nervous system depressants and may have adverse side effects when taken alongside drugs for high blood pressure.
Melatonin gummies are sold over-the-counter as dietary supplements without being subject to FDA regulation, with one study conducted in 2023 concluding that 22 out of 25 such products contained inaccurate labeling with actual amounts ranging between 74% and 347% of what was advertised on their labels.
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has long been touted as an effective home remedy, and is currently trending as a potential wellness drink on social media. But it’s essential that we fully assess whether consuming ACV really does offer as many claimed health benefits.
ACV is produced by fermenting apples into alcohol, which then breaks down through natural bacteria into acetic acid. While most store-bought ACV is pasteurized and filtered, some companies sell raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar that includes “the mother,” which may provide additional wellness benefits.
Some small studies have demonstrated that ACV consumption may help alleviate bloating and indigestion symptoms, although more research needs to be conducted in order to confirm these claims. It’s recommended to avoid taking ACV within an hour before bedtime as this may trigger gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), potentially leading to heartburn in susceptible individuals.
