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 gummy ones.
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.
The Indian gummies market in 2022 was worth Rs 75.8 crore and is growing exponentially. The Indian gummies market is expected to reach Rs 778 crore by 23-2031. While few experts vouch for it and inform that they are helpful supplements. Nutritional experts urge long-term research evidence before such supplements are made commercially available for consumption.
Are gummy vitamins good for you?
Gummy vitamins are designed to be a more palatable (sweeter) alternative to regular vitamins, hoping that people will be more inclined to take them. But regarding health benefits, they’re nowhere near a 1:1 swap. Gummy vitamins actually have fewer vitamins and minerals than regular vitamins.
But it can actually be difficult to determine exactly how much nutritional value they provide basically
due to the fact that gummy vitamins have limited shelf stability and become less potent in time. To ensure that they have at least as many nutrients as their labels claim, manufacturers pack them with more vitamins than the label says, which allows for their strength to wear off with time.
The sugar rush is real. There’s a reason why those gummies taste so deliciously sweet: There’s a lot of sugar in them.
The American Heart Association recommends no more than 25 grams of sugar per day for women and no more than 36 grams of sugar per day for men — but gummy vitamins typically have 2 to 8 grams of sugar per serving, which can quickly make a dent in your daily allotment.
They can make a dent in your dental health, too: As with other sweets, the sugar and citric acid in gummy vitamins can stick to your teeth and quickly lead to cavities.
And while some gummy vitamins are made with sugar substitutes, such ingredients may present issues of their own. Sugar alcohols are associated with gastrointestinal problems and can have a laxative effect — and people who can’t consume sorbitol and similar sugar substitutes should steer clear of gummy vitamins entirely.
What to try instead of gummy vitamins
Instead of going with gummies, try making traditional vitamins easier to stomach — literally — by taking them with food but after exercising and by reducing your dosage.
If your doctor has recommended that you take vitamins, ask them to walk you through your options to figure out what kind you need and what form is best. If you’re unable to take your medication in pill or liquid form, gummy vitamins may, in fact, be the way to go.