Do gummy vitamins really work?

Last Updated: June 4, 2021

Love the idea of eating a treat and getting the nutrition your body needs? Learn the sweet truth about gummy vitamins from Grove.

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If the idea of swallowing a bunch of huge pills that taste awful fills you with dread, you're probably a victim of pill fatigue. The good news is that you're not alone — lots of adults reach a point where they dread the daily routine of tossing back a handful of pills.

When taking your vitamins feels like a hard pill to swallow, just remember that a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down — remember Flintstones vitamins? There's a reason your kids won't touch a vitamin unless it actually tastes good, and you don’t have to, either. Here's the sweet truth about whether gummy vitamins are too good to be true.

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with a physician or other healthcare professional regarding any medical or health related diagnosis or treatment options.

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How do gummy vitamins work?

There's a good reason why adult multivitamins are so popular. According to The Council for Responsible Nutrition, many Americans don't get all of the nutrients they need through diet alone.

That's where gummy vitamins can be helpful. These tasty, chewable supplements are easy to take and work similarly to pill-form vitamins — they carry nutrients into your body through your mouth — but you don’t need giant gulps of water to get them down (*cringe*). And you may be more likely to stick with your supplement regimen if the daily routine isn’t something you dread.

Gummies come in single-vitamin and multivitamin formulas. Whether you want to take the guesswork out of it all with a multivitamin or you have a specific health concern that a specific vitamin will address, it’s easy to choose a gummy vitamin that targets your health and wellness goals.

Here are a few common gummy vitamin supplements for different needs.

For a healthy microbiome

A gummy probiotic helps the collection of healthy bacteria in your gut proliferate, improving digestion and the function of numerous other body systems.

For skin support

Good nutrition is central to healthy skin, and a supplement with antioxidant vitamins helps nourish and protect the skin and fight sun damage.

For better sleep

Gummy supplements like Natural Vitality’s Calm Gummies can help you relax and de-stress naturally so sleep comes more easily.

For immunity

These days a boost to your immune system is invaluable. Immune vitamin supplements, even those in gummy form, are high vitamin C, zinc, and echinacea to keep your body strong. Elderberry is another immune booster too.

Are gummy vitamins good for you?

So, are gummy vitamins good for you? If you’re more likely to take your vitamins if they’re in the form of a gummy, then yes — gummy vitamins are good for you. They’re also a great solution for adults and kids who can’t swallow pills but who need a daily supplement.

Should you be confident that a sweet, squishy treat can deliver the nutrition your body needs? Surprisingly, the simple answer is "Yes!" More and more adults are getting on the gummy vitamin bandwagon, and for good reason — they're delightful! In fact, according to AARP, gummy vitamins are one of the fastest-growing segments in the vitamin industry.

Note: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Potential downsides to gummy vitamins

On the flip side, there may be some potential downsides to taking gummy vitamins, depending on your relationship with sugar. One of the main appeals of gummy supplements is their crave-worthy taste — which usually comes from added sugar.

While the sugar content in a gummy vitamin might not seem too high, it can add up. If you have a sweet tooth, stick to the American Heart Association's recommendation of consuming no more than 9 teaspoons of sugar per day for men or 6 teaspoons per day for women. Since this is the biggest criticism of gummy vitamins, you can actually find low-sugar options for your daily supplement, including those in gummy form.

Gummy vitamins vs. capsules and pills

So which is better: gummy vitamins or pill vitamins? Well, the answer isn’t that simple as there are different components that make one type better for certain people instead of the other.

If you have trouble swallowing pills, gummies are most likely for you. Here are a few more differences between gummy vitamins and capsules or pills.

Do gummy vitamins work as well as capsules?

If you don't take vitamins consistently (don't worry — we don't judge!) a capsule version might be a better option for you than gummies, simply because gummies degrade in the bottle faster than their pill counterparts. Over time, gummy vitamins also lose their potency — check the expiration date whenever you clean out your cabinets.

Are gummy vitamins absorbed quicker than pills?

When you sprain an ankle or your Aunt Flo comes to visit, what form of pain reliever do you reach for first — a pill or a liquid? Liquid actually absorbs more quickly, and since gummies are easy to digest and they dissolve quickly, they have a similar absorption rate to liquid vitamins.

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Easy does it!

If you're suffering from a case of pill fatigue or you need an incentive to take your daily vitamins, gummies might just become your new best friend! But follow the dosage directions on the bottle, and don’t overdo it just because they’re delicious. In general, two to three gummy vitamins are the equivalent of one tablet.

Are vitamin gummies safe?

Figuring out whether gummy vitamins are safe is, of course, a top concern, especially if you are using gummy vitamins for children. And, if you buy natural products, most gummy vitamins are very safe and have little concerns when it comes to side effects.

However, we dived a bit deeper into the concerns around gummy vitamins and are answering your top concerns below.

Do gummy vitamins have side effects?

You might think that you can't have too much of a good thing, but taking too many gummy vitamins could cause some unwanted side effects, like an upset stomach, constipation, and diarrhea. But as long as you take the recommended daily amount listed on the label, side effects are rare.

What happens if a child takes too many gummy vitamins?

Because of the sheer amount of filler ingredients in gummy vitamins, including sugar, your child might have an upset tummy after eating too many. Taking too many vitamins in a short period of time could also cause vomiting or nausea. It’s best to call your pediatrician if you think your child overindulged in gummy vitamins. To reduce that risk, keep all vitamins and supplements out of sight and out of reach, and don’t call them — or treat them like — candy!