Are gummy vitamins actually healthy?

Gummy vitamins, those colorful, candy-like chewable supplements, are soaring in popularity and not just among children.

While gummy vitamins were originally marketed to kids, adults are now their primary consumers. In fact, you can find gummies that are marketed containing multivitamins, vitamin D, probiotics, immune support nutrients, collagen and fish oil to name a few.

While gummy vitamins are used to support health and wellness, are gummy supplements actually healthy?

Gummy vitamins are typically made from gelatin, corn starch, sugar, water and natural and artificial colors and flavors. Gummies labeled as vegan, containing no animal products, may contain carnauba wax, pectin and agar instead of gelatin.

Gummy vitamins are a soaring $6 billion industry, expected to grow by 50 percent over the next five years. With about 30 percent of the population reporting difficulty swallowing pills, gummy vitamins offer an alternative to hard-to-swallow tablets. While some vitamin supplements are available in powder, non-gummy chewable and liquid form, gummies are often favored for their taste and texture. In addition, gummy vitamins tend to be easier to digest, causing less nausea and upset stomach, compared to traditional multivitamin tablets.

While gummy supplements may be easier to consume and more palatable, there are some downsides to gummy vitamins.

Here are some important considerations when choosing gummy supplements:

Gummy vitamins often contain added sugars

Gummies can contain half a teaspoon to two teaspoons of added sugar (2 to 8 grams) per serving. While this might not seem like a lot of sugar, gummies can contribute to overall excessive sugar intake, especially when one or more gummies are consumed daily. When choosing gummy supplements, read the supplement