Vitamin Gummies: The Extra

Vitamin Gummies. Perhaps the greatest invention known to man. Healthy and tasty at the same time. Surely there is no harm in eating a little too many… right?

Perhaps the greatest idea that has come to man is to put vitamins into gummies. Who knows how they actually get the vitamins in the gummies, but it is hard to disagree with the idea that whoever came up with the idea of vitamin gummies was a genius. Vitamins. Things we lack because of our hermit lifestyle. Gummies. Something we wish we could have, but can’t, because of our “healthy” lifestyle. With vitamin gummies, we fix these two problems. Well, mostly. The average serving for vitamin gummies is two gummies. Our yearning for sweet pieces of childhood is hardly quenched by a meager two gummies. Another one won’t hurt… will it?

Why Vitamins Gummies are so Popular

Pills are everywhere. Sick? Take pills. Drowsy? Take pills. Nauseous? Take pills. This has gotten to the point where we suffer from “pill fatigue”, as phrased by Abby Ellin from the New York Times in her article Vitamins Gone Gummy. It is exactly what it sounds like. We’re getting sick of pills. Understandably, too. They are often hard to swallow, tasteless, or nasty tasting. Gummies, however, are quite the opposite. So, chewy, sweet, healthy, vitamin gummies seem to be a gift from heaven. What about the sugar? Gummies often contain only one to two grams of sugar each, so two a day is at max four extra grams of sugar. Not too bad.

But gummies are a kid thing. Vitamin gummies were originally a fun way to get kids to take their vitamins. However, adult gummies have become increasingly popular over the years. Gummies often hide the brutal taste of vitamin pills with flavorings, such as orange, strawberry, or other fruity flavors. And, let’s face it, the chewing of the gummies is a pleasure beyond explanation. Trying to chew those pills may not be such a favorable experience.

However, the serving size of these gummies are fairly small. Sometimes, we get carried away. Just one more gummy. Three gummies a day instead of two. Big deal. But what happens when that three turns into four? Five? What if we eat more gummies every day? They are gummies after all. No major harm can come from sweet chewy pieces of joy. Right?

Wrong.

"No major harm can come from sweet chewy pieces of joy. Right?

Wrong."

Dangers of Extra Vitamin Gummies

Candy of any kind is easy to overeat. Vitamin gummies are no different from that. However, vitamin gummies are different in the sense that overeating them can result in vitamin toxicity. Many people already get their full share of nutrients from their daily diet, so eating too many vitamin gummies may not be a good idea. The National Institute of Health’s Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) states that some supplements may have ingredients that cause a strong reaction in the body. While vitamin gummies usually don’t contain as many nutrients as vitamin tablets, significantly overeating vitamin supplements for a long period of time can have detrimental effects, especially for fat-soluble vitamins. These vitamins stay in the body for a long time, so overeating them will result in a lot of the vitamin staying in the body for a long time. Too much Vitamin A can cause nausea and vomiting, and in the long run may weaken bones and cause birth defects. Too much iron may cause liver damage. (“What You Need To Know”) Kids need less nutrients than adults do. They are also more likely to overeat vitamin gummies, viewing them as treats. However, since they need less nutrients, kids are more likely to get vitamin toxicity. It’s better to stay safe than to be sorry.

How effective are they?

But how effective are vitamin gummies? While they can’t replace an actual variety of foods, vitamin supplements are helpful if one lacks certain nutrients. However, vitamin gummies are a slightly different story. There are so many fillers, flavorings, and additives that there is only so much space for actual vitamins. Some argue that vitamin gummies are just slightly healthier versions of candy. After all, they argue, there isn’t enough quality in the vitamins to make a difference between those gummies and candied gummies.

"There are so many fillers, flavorings, and additives that there is only so much space for actual vitamins."

Yet, at the back of the vitamin gummies, on the nutritional label, it seems to have a good amount of vitamins per serving. However, since vitamin gummies are not medicine, they are not regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). So, the amount of vitamins per gummy in the nutrient list may not be accurate, and the consumers may be getting a different amount of nutrients then they think they are getting. And, although one serving of vitamin gummies may only have two grams of sugar, these grams add up, and add excess sugar in the diet, which is not good for anyone. Still, it is quite ironic that people scramble to buy those vitamin C gummies with only two grams of sugar per serving and actually taste like oranges while the actual oranges sit in the fruit stand, pretty much forgotten. Maybe it’s the gummy part that attracts people. Still, sad, sad, oranges.

Supplements aren’t necessary for the majority of people

As already established, most people already get all the nutrients they need from their daily diet. Vitamin supplements in any form are not usually necessary. Vitamin supplements are for the people who have a nutrient deficiency, or vegans, or very, very picky children who do not get the full amount of nutrients that they should get. After all, vitamin gummies were originally made for those children. For the rest of the population, vitamin gummies are unnecessary.

Don’t be scared, be aware

All of this doesn’t mean that vitamin gummies are horrible and should never be eaten; they are a nice idea. Nonetheless, our knowledge is limited, so it is always recommended to ask a doctor or someone knowledgeable about these fields for specific questions. But of course, these vitamins supplements, no matter how chewy and evocative, will never replace a good meal. So, take that orange instead. Happy, happy orange.