

While allergic reactions are rare, individuals with bee-related allergies and strict vegans may prefer to avoid gummy vitamins containing beeswax. Beeswaxīeeswax is also used in gummy vitamins as a natural coating agent to prevent sticking and enhance texture.


So if you are vegan, vegetarian, or prefer to avoid animal-derived products for ethical or religious reasons, you’ll want to avoid carmine in gummy vitamins as well. While it is considered a natural coloring agent, carmine is derived from dried insects. CarmineĬarmine is a common colorant used to give gummy vitamins a reddish color. Just be sure to read ingredient lists fully, as some brands use a combination of both gelatin and pectin in their formulations. Many vegan gummy vitamins use pectin, a plant-based gelatin alternative typically derived from plants, including apples and oranges. It is made from animalĬollagen, so if you prefer to avoid animal-derived products for dietary, ethical, or religious reasons, you may want to avoid gelatin in gummy vitamins. Gelatin is a thickening and emulsifying agent that gives many gummy vitamins their chewy texture. If you’re vegan or vegetarian, gelatin is another gummy vitamin ingredient you’ll want to have on your radar. If you’re concerned about potential allergic reactions, sensitivities, or their long-term effects on your health, look for gummy vitamins that are flavored and colored with natural, plant-based ingredients.

Similar to artificial flavorings, the amount of dye used in gummy vitamins is considered proprietary and therefore is not disclosed on vitamin labels. Other studies have found a relationship between food dye exposure and adverse behavioral outcomes in children [ For example, Tartrazine has been linked to allergic reactions from hives and itching to more severe reactions like asthma attacks. Given this, certainty about their safety remains challenging.įood, Drug, & Cosmetic (FD&C) dyes like Red 40, Yellow 5 (Tartrazine), and Blue 1 have been the subject of numerous studies due to their potential safety concerns. While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ensures that all food additives on the market are safe for use, companies are not obligated to disclose them on food labels. However, the safety of synthetic colors and flavors continues to be a topic of ongoing debate and scientific studies. Artificial colors and flavorsĪrtificial colors and flavors are commonly used to make gummy vitamins more visually appealing and taste better. However, if you experience digestive upset with sugar alcohols, pill vitamins may be your best bet as they typically contain no added sugars or sugar alcohols. If you’re trying to limit your intake of added sugar, gummy vitamins sweetened with naturally-derived sugar alcohols, like erythritol and maltitol, can be a sweet and sugar-free alternative. As such, the American Heart Association recommends no more than 25 grams of added sugar for women and 36 grams for men daily [ This may not sound like a lot, but it can add up, particularly if you take multiple gummy vitamins each day or regularly consume other foods and drinks with added sugar.Įxcessive sugar consumption can lead to various health issues, including weight gain, dental problems, and an increased risk of chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Most gummy vitamins contain between 2-8 grams of sugar per serving. These added sugars are often listed under various names, including glucose syrup, tapioca syrup, cane syrup, and corn syrup, to make it less obvious to consumers. Many gummy vitamins contain added sugars to improve their taste and give the exterior a gum-drop-like exterior. Before you pop another gummy supplement into your mouth, let’s peel back the wrapper on six common gummy vitamin ingredients you may want to avoid. And for good reason–they are tasty, convenient, easy to chew, and come in various flavors and shapes, which can make them appealing to adults and children alike.īut all gummy vitamins are not created equal, particularly when it comes to ingredients that have certain dietary, health, or ethical considerations. Gummy vitamins have become incredibly popular in recent years.
