Eating a balanced diet provides most of the vitamins and minerals your body requires, however supplementation may still be beneficial in meeting individual requirements. Gummies provide an appealing alternative to traditional dietary supplement pills for some.
But many gummy vitamins contain added sugars that could contribute to weight gain, dental problems and other long-term health concerns.
Vitamins
Gummy vitamins can be an easy way for people to start taking vitamins. With no tablets or chewable vitamins to worry about, these gummies often include Vitamin A, C and D in addition to minerals like zinc and selenium – helping people establish a daily vitamin habit!
Gummy vitamins present several potential drawbacks that could contribute to weight gain, tooth decay and other health concerns if consumed too frequently. They may also contain artificial dyes or fillers which could cause digestive discomfort for some individuals.
If you want to cut out added sugars and unnecessary additives from your diet, consult with a registered dietitian who can develop an action plan to ensure you get all of the vitamins and nutrients through whole food sources.
Minerals
Minerals are essential elements of life that assist the functioning of tissues, organs and systems in our bodies. Not only do minerals form hard parts such as bones and teeth; they’re also crucial in creating muscle proteins, maintaining acid-base balance and membrane permeability as well as transmitting nerve impulses.
Gummy multivitamins typically provide a blend of vitamins and minerals, while single-nutrient gummies may provide higher doses of individual nutrients. Both types can serve as effective and helpful supplements to address nutrient gaps in our diets.
Gummies are popular treats, yet often high in sugar content. When selecting sugar-free candies and those containing citric acid that could erode tooth enamel. Gummies also find sweetness from other sources like corn syrup, glucose syrup or malt syrup which add shape and texture.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants have become one of the hottest buzzwords in nutrition. Antioxidants are substances that prevent oxidation from breaking down organic molecules and leading to disease, thus protecting our bodies against further degrading them and disease progression.
Foods high in antioxidants include berries, tomatoes and green tea. Food colors can give a hint as to their antioxidant content – for instance red and orange fruits and vegetables tend to be high in the carotenoids lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin; vitamins C, E and selenium are all potent sources of protection.
High dose supplements of some antioxidants may increase health risks; for instance, excessive beta-carotene can increase lung cancer risks among smokers while excessive vitamin E could raise your stroke risks. Therefore, it is wise to obtain antioxidants through whole food sources as this provides greater benefit.
Omega-3s
Gummies often contain omega-3 fatty acids, which form essential parts of cell membrane phospholipids and also serve to provide energy and help produce chemical messengers called eicosanoids that have positive impacts on health.
Omega-3s have long been recognized as essential to brain health and may reduce cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s risk in older adults.[13] Unfortunately, clinical trial results have produced mixed findings.
Before choosing any dietary supplements for yourself, it’s wise to consult your healthcare provider about which may best meet your health goals and provide tailored guidance specific to you. They may also inform you if any may interact with existing medications or cause unwanted side effects*
Vitamin D
Gummy vitamins contain Vitamin D, an essential nutrient for maintaining bone health and immune system functioning. Unfortunately, many of these treats contain more than 8 grams of sugar per serving – an issue when considering that the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines suggest restricting added sugars to no more than 36 grams daily per person.
Gummy vitamins also contain refined sugars that may contribute to obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and tooth decay. Furthermore, these sweeteners such as sugar alcohols may lead to digestive issues like nausea, bloating or diarrhea if consumed regularly.
As with anything in excess, too much of anything over time can lead to toxic levels. For instance, taking too much calcium can interfere with absorption of iron and magnesium by the body while excessive zinc intake may result in anemia.
