If you’ve spent any time watching television, you’ve probably seen ads featuring actors with enormous smiles and seemingly boundless energy after popping what looks like a piece of candy into their mouths. These ads suggest that the gummy vitamin they just consumed has given them the essential nutrients needed to rise up and seize the day.
But we all know what television ads are meant to do: sell us products that are marketed as amazing without always explaining the negatives.
Let’s take a closer look. Are gummy vitamins really as good for you as they seem?
The Hidden Sugars in Gummy Vitamins
Take sports drinks, for example. Companies like Gatorade will have you believe that their product is key to staying hydrated and energized. What they fail to mention is that a typical 16-ounce bottle contains around 26 grams of sugar. I had a family member who came dangerously close to pre-diabetic blood sugar levels after consuming multiple bottles a day, thinking it was good for him.
The same holds true for many gummy vitamins. According to a New York Times article, gummy vitamins typically contain one to two grams of sugar per serving. This is largely due to the sugary coating on the exterior, designed to make them taste like candy (New York Times). Some gummy vitamins contain much more. The article found that a 1,000-milligram dose of Nature Made Gummy Vitamin C contains a staggering 8 grams of sugar. Taking a pill form of Vitamin C would allow you to avoid the unnecessary sugar altogether.
Fillers and Additives in Gummy Vitamins
Gummy vitamins aren’t just packed with sugar. They often contain ingredients like fillers, food colorings, and artificial preservatives to make them look appealing and extend shelf life. According to the American College of Healthcare Sciences, certain food colorings have been linked to increased hyperactivity in children and offer no valuable health benefits (ACHS). Worse, fillers such as hydrogenated oils, magnesium stearate, and titanium dioxide can contribute to negative health effects when consumed regularly.
Nutrient Deficiencies in Gummy Vitamins
Perhaps most concerning is the fact that gummy vitamins often fail to meet the 13 essential vitamins our bodies need as recommended by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to a report by ConsumerLab, which tested 50 different multivitamins, 80% of gummy vitamins did not meet dietary supplement standards (ConsumerLab). The study also found that many gummy vitamins did not meet the nutrient percentages listed on their labels.
Why Bariatric Patients Should Avoid Gummy Vitamins
For patients who have undergone bariatric surgery, gummy and chewable vitamins may seem like an easy option, but they are far from an effective multivitamin. Bariatric patients have unique nutritional needs due to reduced nutrient absorption post-surgery, and the added sugars and fillers in gummy vitamins are not conducive to maintaining health.
Television ads may show people consuming gummy vitamins as high-energy, ultra-efficient, and perpetually happy, but this marketing is often smoke and mirrors. In reality, gummy vitamins come with significant downsides.
The Better Option: Vita4Life! Multivitamins
For bariatric patients and anyone serious about maintaining good health, it’s important to choose a multivitamin that is both filler-free and meets FDA standards. Vita4Life! Multivitamins contain no fillers or preservatives and provide the 13 essential vitamins recommended by the FDA—plus more!
Make Vita4Life! Multivitamins a part of your daily regimen to ensure your body gets the nutrients it needs without the added sugar or harmful ingredients.