Facts about Gummy Vitamins

Let’s unveil the truth about gummy vitamins: how effective are these products, and is there any active ingredient that’s impossible to produce stably in this form?

Let’s start with the advantages of gummy vitamins!

1. The undeniable and most popular advantage of gummy vitamins is their taste experience.
2. The pleasant taste can make their consumption more regular. If we associate a positive taste with something, it’s less likely to be forgotten.

What are the potential disadvantages of gummy vitamins?

1. Due to their gummy texture, manufacturers cannot incorporate unlimited amounts of active ingredients. Some substances can only be added in small doses due to their taste-altering effects or instability.
2. Although sugar-free versions are now available, many gummy vitamins contain glucose syrup, artificial flavors, or colorings, which may not appeal to every health-conscious consumer.

Vegan or non-vegan?

Most gummy vitamins are not vegan. This is because gelatin, an animal-derived thickener, is used to achieve the gummy texture. The good news is that more manufacturers are using plant-based alternatives like pectin, leading to the growing popularity of vegan gummy vitamins.

Which active ingredients are particularly well-suited for gummy vitamins?

Since these healthy gummies are water-based, the following active ingredients are easily incorporated:

• Water-soluble vitamins (C-vitamin, B-complex, folic acid).
• Certain herbal extracts (e.g., ashwagandha, black elderberry, ginseng, echinacea, turmeric, and ginger).
• Certain amino acids (such as theanine, taurine, and acetyl-L-carnitine).
• Some minerals (like magnesium citrate, potassium citrate or gluconate, iron gluconate or sulfate).

Some active ingredients are challenging but feasible to incorporate into gummies. These include:

Omega-3 fish oils.

As oils, they don’t dissolve in water and have a strong fishy taste. Manufacturers use emulsifiers (e.g., lecithin, polysorbate 80) and strong flavorings to address this.

Fat-soluble vitamins.

To overcome solubility issues, manufacturers dissolve the vitamin active ingredients in oil first, then mix them into the gummy base using emulsifiers (as with omega-3 fish oils).

Probiotics.

The challenge is obvious: probiotics are living organisms (bacteria). Their survival is affected by factors like storage and manufacturing temperature, oxygen levels, and pH. Not all bacterial strains survive manufacturing or stomach acid. To stabilize probiotics, manufacturers use techniques like microencapsulation, coating bacteria with a thin protective layer to shield them from heat, moisture, and oxidation. The following probiotic strains are best suited for gummies:

• Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus rhamnosus: These strains are stable and viable in various environments, retaining activity through freeze-drying and microencapsulation.
• Bifidobacterium lactis: This strain is suitable for probiotic gummies due to its resistance to manufacturing conditions.
• Bacillus coagulans: A spore-forming bacterium, it’s more resistant to temperature fluctuations and manufacturing processes.

Some active ingredients cannot be incorporated into gummy vitamins. These include enzymes, which often break down during manufacturing or lose efficacy in this form, and strong-tasting herbs, which pose challenges for manufacturers.

Products that suit the gummy form exceptionally well

Nordic Naturals DHA 600 mg Gummies for Kids - Children's DHA

Omega-3 supplementation for children is increasingly supported by research, particularly for its neurodevelopmental benefits.^1-4 DHA is primarily responsible for these effects. Nordic Naturals’ Omega-3 product has a high DHA content, making it an excellent choice for supporting children’s brain function and neurological development.

The gummy form is one of the best for Omega-3, as many children reject products with a fishy smell. The pleasant taste of gummies makes them especially appealing to kids.

This product contains no added sugars.

Nature's Way Alive!® Premium Kids Multivitamin Gummy

Gummy vitamins for kids started it all, setting the “gold standard” for these products.

Nature’s Way children’s multivitamin is one of the best (if not the best) in Vitamin360’s range. It includes dried fruit and vegetable powders for naturalness and better absorption. The gummies deliver 15 vitamins and minerals in well-balanced doses.

Always consult a pediatrician before using supplements for children and adhere to the manufacturer’s age recommendations on the label.

This product is vegetarian.

Sambucol Kids Gummies

For children’s immune support, this product contains Sambucol’s patented black elderberry extract combined with C-vitamin.

Studies show black elderberry extract can relieve upper respiratory symptoms.⁵ It may also have antitumor, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects, while supporting cardiovascular and neurological health.⁶

This product is vegan and free of artificial colorings.

Vitabiotics Wellkid Peppa Pig Pro-tummy (30 Gummies)

We mentioned that three probiotic strains are stable in gummy form, but some strains’ effects go “beyond the grave.” What does this cryptic phrase mean?

The secret is tyndallization (or heat treatment), a process that sterilizes bacteria, enabling long-term stability in the product. The probiotic effect comes not from live bacteria but from sterilized cells.

The product contains ten probiotic strains, including Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Bifidobacterium lactis, which are well-documented for supporting digestion and immunity.^7-10

In gummy form, it offers a pleasant taste for kids while relieving stomach issues.

Nature's Way Melatonin Gummies (120 Gummies, Strawberry)

The gummy form is also ideal for adult-targeted melatonin. Nature’s Way melatonin gummies contain 2.5 mg of melatonin each—a moderate dose.

Melatonin, the sleep hormone, regulates the body’s circadian rhythm, making us feel sleepier and improving sleep quality. Factors like elevated cortisol levels can disrupt melatonin levels. It’s now scientifically accepted that supplemental melatonin primarily enhances sleep quality and slightly increases sleep duration.^17-20

With a delicious strawberry flavor, just be careful not to overconsume, as proper dosing is crucial with melatonin.

Nature's Way Quercetin Gummies with Zinc (60 Gummies, Lemon)

Quercetin is a potent antioxidant, enhanced by zinc. Quercetin and zinc form a complex that more effectively targets cancer cells, regulates insulin metabolism, and balances the immune system.^21-23

In gummy form, quercetin provides a detoxifying, super-healthy antioxidant boost alongside a delightful taste experience.