Do Gummy Vitamins Work? The Benefits and Downsides
Vitamin supplements are incredibly popular all over the world. Many people believe that taking vitamins can improve health or make up for a diet that’s low in nutrients.
There are several different types of vitamins, including chewable gummies.
Gummy vitamins have a pleasant taste and are easy to take. However, most varieties contain added sugars and may not list nutrient content accurately on their labels.
This article tells you whether gummy vitamins are good or bad for your health.
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What are gummy vitamins?
Gummy vitamins are chewable vitamins that have a texture and taste similar to gummy candies and come in a variety of flavors, colors, and shapes.
They’re one of the most popular types of vitamins. These vitamins appeal to children — as well as adults — who may not like swallowing pills.
Gummy vitamins are commonly made from gelatin, corn starch, water, sugar, and added colorings. Popular flavors include lemon, raspberry, cherry, and orange.
They may include several vitamins and minerals or just a few select nutrients, such as vitamin D and calcium.
You can purchase gummy vitamins online and at most supplement or health food stores. The price of gummy vitamins varies by brand but is comparable to the cost of other multivitamins, ranging from approximately $0.05–0.10 per gummy.
Summary
Gummy vitamins are chewable vitamins that come in different colors, flavors, and shapes. They’re consumed by both kids and adults.
Potential benefits
Gummy vitamins have several upsides, including their desirable taste and the nutrients they provide.
May provide beneficial nutrients
Since they’re loaded with nutrients, gummy vitamins may benefit some populations.
Many people consume vitamins to make sure they’re getting all of the nutrients they need.
While this is a common practice, research suggests that most people who eat a balanced diet do not need to take multivitamins (1Trusted Source).
However, some people may benefit from supplements, including those who:
- don’t eat certain foods
- have trouble absorbing some nutrients
- have increased nutrient needs
Affected groups include
- vegans
- older adults
- alcohol-dependent individuals
- strict vegetarians
- those with health conditions requiring increased nutrients or long-term use of medications that alter nutrient absorption
- pregnant people
Gummy vitamins are a good alternative to pills for these populations.
Flavorful and easy to take
Many people prefer gummy vitamins to pills due to their fruity flavors and candy-like taste. This is one of the reasons why they appeal to children who may otherwise be
In addition, gummy vitamins are easy to chew and can usually be taken by people who have difficulty swallowing pills.
So, gummy vitamins may be simpler for both kids and adults to add to their routines and consume on a more consistent basis than other multivitamins.
Summary
Gummy vitamins may provide beneficial nutrients, have a desirable taste, and are easy to chew.
Potential downsides
Even though gummy vitamins may be a good idea for certain people, they have some downsides.
May contain added sugars, sugar alcohols, or food colorings
The appealing taste of gummy vitamins usually comes from added sugars.
For example, one popular variety of children’s gummy multivitamins contains three different types of added sugars, with 3 grams of sugar and 15 calories per gummy
Consuming too much added sugar is linked to obesity, heart disease, and dental cavities
That’s why the American Heart Association suggests :
- no more than 9 teaspoons (37.5 grams) of added sugar per day for men
- no more than 6 teaspoons (25 grams) per day for women
- under 6 teaspoons per day for children ages 2–18
While the added sugar in gummy vitamins may not seem like a large amount, it can contribute to excessive sugar consumption — especially if you take more than one gummy vitamin per day and eat other foods with added sugars.
In order to reduce the amount of sugar added to soft candy vitamins, VITA chose stevia. It has the characteristics of high sweetness and low calorie. Its sweetness is 200-300 times that of sucrose, and its calorific value is only 1/300 of that of sucrose.May contain different amounts of nutrients than listed
Gummy vitamins are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as food, not as drugs. This means the ingredients may interact with medications. Always consult with a healthcare professional before taking any vitamins.
Summary
Ordinary gummy vitamins may have added sugar, sugar alcohols, artificial colors, and fillers. In addition, they may contain fewer nutrients than you think, and it is easy to overeat. But VITA gummies use stevia, low calories, avoid obesity, and use new technology to add high-content nutrients