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Vitamin Gummies - An Overview

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Especially compared to taking no supplements, vitamin gummies provide more vitamins and minerals. Read further to know more.

Written by

Dr. Aysha Anwar

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Achanta Krishna Swaroop

Published At March 28, 2024
Reviewed AtMarch 28, 2024

Introduction

Chewable multivitamins are available in various sizes, flavors, and forms. Their creators assert that it improves the supplement experience for adults and children while providing health benefits. The goal of gummy vitamins is to satisfy all dietary requirements.

What Are Gummy Vitamins?

Gummy vitamins are chewable in various flavors, colors, and forms. They taste and feel like gummy candy. It is among the most widely used vitamin varieties. Both adults and children who may not enjoy ingesting pills may find these vitamins appealing. Gelatin, cornstarch, water, sugar, and other colorings are frequently used to make gummy vitamins. Orange, lemon, raspberry, and cherry are popular flavors. It could contain various vitamins and minerals or just a few specific ones, including calcium and vitamin D.

Which Vitamins Are Necessary for Healthy Nutrition?

For the human body to function as it should, it needs specific nutrients. The majority of these nutrients are found in a balanced diet. Experts advise that this consists of

  • Vitamin B6.

  • Borate Vitamin C; Biotin; Vitamin B12.

  • Calcium.

  • Vitamins D2 and D3.

  • Vitamin E.

  • Folic acid.

  • Iron Iodine.

  • K-complex.

  • Magnesium.

  • Molybdenum.

  • Niacin.

  • Pantothenic acid.

  • Calcium.

  • Riboflavin.

  • Mineral Selenium.

  • Vitamin Zinc Thiamin.

What Are the Doubts About Consuming Gummy Vitamins?

Although it tastes better than conventional vitamins, gummy vitamins have several drawbacks.

  • Sugar: An excessive sugar intake can increase the risk of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and obesity. If one is not careful, gummy vitamins and other unexpected sources could introduce more glucose into the diet. Most gummy vitamins have two to eight grams of sugar per serving. While that may not seem like much, doctors suggest limiting daily sugar intake to no more than 25 grams for women and 36 grams for men. Gummy vitamins could contain additional sweeteners, like sugar alcohols or high-sugar fruit juice, even if one is sugar-free. These can lead to unpleasant digestive problems.

  • Artificial Flavors And Additives: Gummy vitamins' primary sweetening agents include sugar, gelatin, cornstarch, and water. However, many nutrients have an unfavorable metallic taste, including iron, zinc, and B vitamins. Manufacturers utilize artificial coloring and flavoring to hide the taste of these nutrients and produce a more palatable product.

  • Reduce Their Power Over Time: Since the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has no regulatory authority over supplements, it might be challenging to ascertain which nutrients are taken. However, it is particularly difficult to identify the vitamins and minerals found in gummy vitamins. Compared to conventional supplements, gummy vitamins have a longer shelf life. With time, their potency decreases. Manufacturers frequently overdose on gummy pills with vitamins to counteract the drop. This means that gummy vitamins that are recently packaged can include more nutrients than required, while those from older containers might contain less than what is stated on the nutrition label.

  • Boost Overdose: Taking more than the suggested amount is easy when vitamins taste good. However, one must exercise caution since certain vitamins, such as A, D, E, and K, can be overdosed. Moreover, adverse consequences, including vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain, might result from having too much iron and zinc. Diarrhea and vomiting are typical signs of vitamin overload. However, over time, an excess of these minerals and vitamins may raise the risk of liver failure.

What Amount Is Excessive?

If taking more than the suggested amount listed on the bottle, one takes too many vitamins. ”If some are good, then more is better." It is just not true, as stated. When used more than the allowed dosage, vitamins and supplements can be hazardous and have negative consequences, according to Prude. Numerous gummy multivitamins contain minerals, fat- and water-soluble vitamins, and additional nutrients, including choline and omega-3 fats.

These are some typical nutrient kinds that might include:

  1. Fat-Soluble Vitamins: If taken in excess over an extended period, fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) can build up and become poisonous in the body.

  2. Water-Soluble Vitamins: Although excessively high dosages of water-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins C and B, usually result in excretion through urine, excessive use can still have negative effects.

  3. Minerals: Numerous gummy vitamins include calcium, potassium, and magnesium. Yet, excess mineral intake can be harmful, as much as excess vitamin intake. "The absorption of other nutrients may be hampered by consuming excessive amounts of some vitamins or minerals. For instance, consuming large amounts of calcium may hinder the body's ability to absorb iron, increasing the risk of iron insufficiency. Furthermore, a copper deficit may arise from prolonged high doses of zinc.

What Happens When Vitamin Gummies Are Consumed Too Much?

Gummy vitamins are sweet, chewy, and occasionally even covered in sugar. They are similar to chewy candies but differ in what is inside. Depending on the manufacturer, gummy vitamins can contain important minerals and nutrients. The aftertaste of multivitamin pills and chalky chewable vitamins pale compared to their flavors, which may indicate a potential risk factor for overindulging. One can encounter side effects if one takes too many gummy vitamins.

  • One Could Get Into A Digestive Disorder: "Digestive issues like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea may indicate that one is taking too many vitamins at once," explains Whole & Happy Living owner Whitney Prude, Pharm.D., BCPS, NBC-HWC. More precisely, taking too much vitamin D can cause nausea and vomiting by increasing the body's calcium levels. Due to the laxative properties of magnesium, excessive levels of unabsorbed magnesium salts in the colon may cause gastric movement and diarrhea, according to the NIH. When taken in excess, zinc can also be a digestive miscreant, leading to nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and gastric distress, according to the NIH.

  • The Taste and Smell may be Off: If one consumes too many nutrients, one favorite meal could taste or smell different. Several nutrients that are consumed in excess might affect taste buds and change the way they taste and smell, in addition to producing digestive issues.

  • Could Take in Too Much or Too Little Iron: Iron deficiency anemia is more likely to occur in early childhood and during pregnancy due to low iron levels. Due to their taste and texture, iron can be tricky to include in gummy vitamins, so many manufacturers exclude it. Iron supplementation is recommended for pregnant women and children at risk of iron deficiency; many gummy vitamin brands do not contain iron, but some do. When consumed excessively, iron can have harmful side effects, from iron poisoning to gastrointestinal irritation.

  • One Might Consume More Added Sugars: One can receive more added sugars from daily gummy vitamins than had anticipated. It promotes consuming less added sugar to make room for nutritious meals. Candy, sweets, sweet snacks, and beverages with added sugars are the usual sources of added sugars.

Conclusion

Gummy vitamins are excessive for most people who eat a well-balanced diet. Gummy vitamin use, however, might be advantageous for some groups of people, such as those who suffer from nutrient deficiencies—problems with absorption. Gummy vitamins are available as an alternative to gritty chewable tablets. Even yet, since gummy vitamins do not include tablets' binding agents, experts still advise taking them with food.

Dr. Achanta Krishna Swaroop
Dr. Achanta Krishna Swaroop

Dentistry

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