Do gummy vitamins work? Until recently, gummies were considered vitamins just for kids. However, gummy vitamins such as those from Goli Nutrition, vitamin C gummies, and other simplified options aim to make supplementing more about the truth and less about what is trending.
Read on for the real deal about gummy vitamins and find out whether they are the right choice to suit your lifestyle and tickle your taste buds.
What Are Gummies?
The word gummies is technically the plural form of the word gummy. It refers to the consistency of the object it describes. Gummy vitamins are just as sound: chewy, gum-like vitamin supplements where flavor and functional nutrients meet.
A scientific study is not needed to prove that a gelatin-based, candy-like gummy with a fruit flavor seems more appealing than the conventional pill. Besides, tangerine flavored gummies and those made with real apples are a delightful alternative to capsules with a metallic taste.
Giving Vitamins Variety
Vitamin gummies are commonly made from gelatin, starch, water, sugar, and coloring. Sugar and coloring are often where the ingredients can get complicated. It is important to look at the label and determine what was used to sweeten or color the vitamin.
The best options only contain natural sweeteners or a low amount of sugar. They also get their colors and flavors from fruits like cherry, lemon, orange, and raspberry.
Vitamin Gummies vs Normal Vitamins
Although they come in different forms, scientific studies have found no major differences in the absorption or bioavailability of gummies compared to conventional vitamins. Recent research on vitamin C gummies found that they were equally as effective as pill capsule equivalents.
Normal Vitamins
Standard vitamin and mineral supplements come in the following forms, depending on which is most bioavailable:
- Pill
- Capsule
- Caplet
- Tablet
- Chewable
- Liquid
- Injection
Some supplements need to be taken multiple times a day, with food, or alongside a glass of water for the full effect. Even though companies try their best to mask the flavor and make supplements smaller, many people find that supplements are difficult to take and have an unpleasant aroma or taste.
Vitamin Gummies
Many experts claim that because gummies are more appealing, people take them more consistently. The numbers seem to follow this notion, but more research will need to be done to really confirm if gummies hold a candle to other kinds of supplements.
Are Gummies Just for Kids?
Vitamin gummies are great for kids because many young children often have a hard time swallowing pills. There is a reason the saying is “a tough pill to swallow”. Choking down a pill can also be difficult for adults.
For both children who can properly chew and adults alike, gummies present vitamins in an appealing package. But, be careful to keep vitamin gummies in a safe place. Children have been known to like them so much they confuse them with candy and can overconsume to a dangerous amount.
Gummies for Grownups
Gummies may actually be the safer option for older adults as well. The pill industry reports that as Americans get older, they have an average of 4.5 prescriptions to take per adult each month. This can cause “pill fatigue”, an industry term used to describe the tired habit of washing down pills each day.
Vitamins that are gummies seem much more appealing and can even help adults or those who struggle with swallowing large pills. Flavors also help mask bitter, chalky, and otherwise unpleasant tastes. Gummies help add variety when adults get to the age where taking multiple supplements multiple times a day can get to be a drag.
Do They Work?
Gummy vitamins sound great, but do they actually work? Let’s take a closer look at why experts and companies claim they do.
Gummies Engage the Senses
So much of health involves sensory aspects. Vitamin gummies have proven effective because they have appealing qualities. These include being:
- Colorful
- Sweet tasting
- Flavorful
- Able to mask unpleasant tastes
- Chewable
- Capable of helping those with deficiencies meet their nutrient needs
Do the Pros Outweigh the Cons?
Gummy vitamins are not all good news, however. These candy-like chewables have more problems to look out for than traditional vitamins including an increased price tag and added grams of sugar.
Gummies are harder to manufacture than pills or capsules, which may be reflected on the price tag. However, most gummy vitamins are comparable in cost to multivitamins on the market.
Supplement gummies can also contain higher levels of added sugar or other harmful ingredients. Just like other supplements, the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate gummies the same way food or drugs are regulated. It is difficult to know if they really contain the ingredients listed on the label.
Take a Look at the Label
It can be challenging to determine whether or not gummy multivitamins actually contain the amount of nutrients they claim. The following steps can help identify how sound a supplement is:
- Look for varieties of gummy vitamins certified by a third-party, such as NSF-International, US Pharmacopeia (USP), Informed-Choice, Consumer Lab, or the Banned Substances Control Group. These organizations complete rigorous testing to see if quality and manufacturing claims are true.
- Check the ingredients. Beware of additives like saturated or trans fat, added sugar, sodium, “natural” flavors and artificial coloring. Try and find a gummy vitamin made from real food.
- Consider other important aspects that are pertinent to health such as if the gummy is gluten-free, vegan, non-GMO, etc. Many companies choose to donate to Vitamin Angels, which is an organization that helps to lessen the threat of malnutrition globally. While charity work may not be a top factor in decision-making, knowing a purchase will have an impact on more than just one person’s health can be empowering.
Just because a brand isn’t third-party tested doesn’t mean it is “bad”. However, most reputable gummy vitamins will have some sort of certification or seal ensuring an outside organization has taken a look at their operations.
Goli Nutrition
Goli Nutrition is one particular brand of gummy vitamins, including their popular apple cider vinegar gummies. Beyond supporting weight management and improved immunity, the ACV Goli gummies were additionally fortified by:
- Multiple superfood ingredients
- Enriched sources of B vitamins
- Ingredients better for tooth enamel
- Sensory appeal (great taste, yummy smell)
- An easy to take amount instead of liquid estimates
Made in an FDA-approved facility, Goli Nutrition meets multiple levels of certification. They also provide website pages complete with the studies behind Goli and why they believe gummies can be a great choice for everyone. Backed by a Nutritional Advisory Board, Goli aims to make the world a little more healthy and delicious, one gummy vitamin at a time.
Additionally, Goli vitamins are available at CVS Pharmacy, a company that announced on May 15, 2019, that it would only sell vitamins tested by a third party for safety. Should products not meet their requirements, they are removed from the shelves or the manufacturers must update their labels or formulas.
The Bottom Line
Overall, gummy vitamins provide an easy solution for many populations. Those with swallowing struggles, special nutrient needs, picky eating preferences, or challenges maintaining a strict supplement regimen can benefit from gummies.
More than an alternative option, gummies present a unique and appealing package for delivering vitamins, maybe even better than traditional pills and capsules.
Overall, though, and while incorporating apple cider vinegar gummies and other supplemental types, they should not displace a balanced diet.
References:
Ducharme J. CVS Will Only Sell Supplements That Have Been Third-Party Tested for Safety. TIME.
Evans M, Guthrie N, Zhang HK, Hooper W, Wong A, Ghassemi A. Vitamin C Bioequivalence from Gummy Caplet Sources in Healthy adults: A Randomized-Controlled Trial. J Am Coll Nutr. 2020;39(5):422-431. doi:10.1080/07315724.2019.1684398.
Sagon C. Gummies for Grown-ups. AARP. 2017. https://www.aarp.org/health/drugs-supplements/info-2017/gummy-vitamins-for-adults-fd.html.
Streit L. Do Gummy Vitamins Work, and Are They Good or Bad for You. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/gummy-vitamins#:~:text=What%20Are%20Gummy%20Vitamins%3F,may%20not%20like%20swallowing%20pills.
