Gummy supplement

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Gummy supplements, are dietary supplements delivered as gummy-candy-like products, most commonly comprising vitamins. [1] [2] They are often used as a more palatable alternative to other supplement formulations.

Contents

The price of gummy supplements varies by brand, but can be considered comparable to the cost of similar supplements. [3]

The gummy supplement market is rapidly growing, driven by growing awareness of preventive care, rising cases of undernourishment in developing countries and a rise in new product offerings from both major traditional pharmaceutical companies, as well as new startups. [4]

Global sales of gummy vitamins in 2022 are estimated to be over US$7 billion, [5] with some sources predicting a rise to US$42 billion by 2030. [6]

Common constitution and varieties

Most commonly, gummy supplements are made from gelatin, cornstarch, water and sugar, along with flavorings. [7]

Although gummy vitamins are the most popular type of gummy supplements, they may also be derived from herbal supplements, containing extracts from plants like ashwagandha [8] and cannabis (e.g., CBD), [9] as well as the algae-derived astaxanthin. [10]

Gummy supplements for hair health have been advertised in social media by influencers but there are concerns regarding efficacy and safety. [11]

Other novel types of gummy supplements include 3D printed gummies, [12] collagen gummies. [13]

The rising popularity of gummy supplements has led to many high-profile celebrity endorsed campaigns and product lines, including lines by Kourtney Kardashian, [14] Martha Stewart [15] and Alicia Silverstone. [16]

Health effects and benefits

Gummy supplements often provide similar benefits to their traditional multivitamins or other dietary supplement equivalents, due to generally comprising the same active ingredients. The primary benefit of gummy supplements over their counterparts, however, is their imitation of candy, providing a pleasant taste and easy-to-consume nature, which appeals to many children and adults who may not like swallowing pills. [17] [18]

Criticisms and adverse effects

Although marketed to the general population, research suggests that most people who eat a balanced diet do not need to take vitamin or mineral supplements. [19]

Often the appealing taste of gummy supplements comes from added sugars, which may lead to excessive sugar consumption, [20] linked to obesity, heart disease and dental cavities. Due to this, increasing sugar-free options now exist, [21] however these can often contain sugar alcohols, which can lead to diarrhea or nausea. [22]

Many gummy supplements contain artificial food colorings, which have been linked in some studies to behavioral issues in children. [23]

Due to their nature replicating candy, they may be susceptible to overconsumption, particularly in children, which may lead to vitamin or mineral toxicity. [24]

In the United States, gummy supplements are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration as a food, meaning less rigorous research and testing is required than medicines. The FDA does not have the authority to approve supplements for safety and effectiveness, or to approve their labeling, before being sold to the public. [25]

Due to the necessity to contain other ingredients for taste, texture and color, gummy supplements can have lower amounts of the active ingredient than traditional methods. [26]

Notable gummy supplement producers

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Food additive</span> Substances added to food

Food additives are substances added to food to preserve flavor or enhance taste, appearance, or other sensory qualities. Some additives have been used for centuries as part of an effort to preserve food, for example vinegar (pickling), salt (salting), smoke (smoking), sugar (crystallization), etc. This allows for longer-lasting foods such as bacon, sweets or wines. With the advent of ultra-processed foods in the second half of the twentieth century, many additives have been introduced, of both natural and artificial origin. Food additives also include substances that may be introduced to food indirectly in the manufacturing process, through packaging, or during storage or transport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vitamin</span> Nutrients required by organisms in small amounts

Vitamins are organic molecules that are essential to an organism in small quantities for proper metabolic function. Essential nutrients cannot be synthesized in the organism in sufficient quantities for survival, and therefore must be obtained through the diet. For example, vitamin C can be synthesized by some species but not by others; it is not considered a vitamin in the first instance but is in the second. Most vitamins are not single molecules, but groups of related molecules called vitamers. For example, there are eight vitamers of vitamin E: four tocopherols and four tocotrienols.

The term Vitamin E refers to a group of eight molecular-structure related compounds that include four tocopherols and four tocotrienols. The tocopherols function as fat-soluble antioxidants which may help protect cell membranes from reactive oxygen species. Vitamin E is classified as an essential nutrient for humans. Various government organizations recommend that adults consume between 3 and 15 mg per day, while a 2016 worldwide review reported a median dietary intake of 6.2 mg per day. Sources rich in vitamin E include seeds, nuts, seed oils, peanut butter, vitamin E-fortified foods, and dietary supplements. Symptomatic vitamin E deficiency is rare, is usually caused by an underlying problem with digesting dietary fat rather than from a diet low in vitamin E. Deficiency can cause neurological disorders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Biotin</span> Chemical compound (vitamin B7)

Biotin (also known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H) is one of the B vitamins. It is involved in a wide range of metabolic processes, both in humans and in other organisms, primarily related to the utilization of fats, carbohydrates, and amino acids. The name biotin, borrowed from the German Biotin, derives from the Ancient Greek word βίοτος (bíotos; 'life') and the suffix "-in" (a suffix used in chemistry usually to indicate 'forming'). Biotin appears as a white, needle-like crystalline solid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Molasses</span> Viscous by-product of the refining of sugarcane, grapes, or sugar beets into sugar

Molasses is a viscous byproduct, principally obtained from the refining of sugarcane or sugar beet juice into sugar. Molasses varies in the amount of sugar, the method of extraction and age of the plant. Sugarcane molasses is usually used to sweeten and flavour foods. Molasses is a major constituent of fine commercial brown sugar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dietary supplement</span> Product providing additional nutrients

A dietary supplement is a manufactured product intended to supplement a person's diet by taking a pill, capsule, tablet, powder, or liquid. A supplement can provide nutrients either extracted from food sources, or that are synthetic. The classes of nutrient compounds in supplements include vitamins, minerals, fiber, fatty acids, and amino acids. Dietary supplements can also contain substances that have not been confirmed as being essential to life, and so are not nutrients per se, but are marketed as having a beneficial biological effect, such as plant pigments or polyphenols. Animals can also be a source of supplement ingredients, such as collagen from chickens or fish for example. These are also sold individually and in combination, and may be combined with nutrient ingredients. The European Commission has also established harmonized rules to help insure that food supplements are safe and appropriately labeled.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gummy bear</span> Fruit gum candy

Gummy bears are small, fruit gum candies, similar to a jelly baby in some English-speaking countries. The candy is roughly 2 cm (0.8 in) long and shaped in the form of a bear. The gummy bear is one of many gummies, popular gelatin-based candies sold in a variety of shapes and colors by various brands such as Haribo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pyridoxamine</span> Chemical compound

Pyridoxamine (PM) is one form of vitamin B6. Chemically it is based on a pyridine ring structure, with hydroxyl, methyl, aminomethyl, and hydroxymethyl substituents. It differs from pyridoxine by the substituent at the 4-position. The hydroxyl at position 3 and aminomethyl group at position 4 of its ring endow pyridoxamine with a variety of chemical properties, including the scavenging of free radical species and carbonyl species formed in sugar and lipid degradation and chelation of metal ions that catalyze Amadori reactions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Multivitamin</span> Dietary supplement containing vitamins

A multivitamin is a preparation intended to serve as a dietary supplement with vitamins, dietary minerals, and other nutritional elements. Such preparations are available in the form of tablets, capsules, pastilles, powders, liquids, or injectable formulations. Other than injectable formulations, which are only available and administered under medical supervision, multivitamins are recognized by the Codex Alimentarius Commission as a category of food.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nootropic</span> Compound intended to improve cognitive function

Nootropics, colloquially brain supplements, smart drugs and cognitive enhancers, are natural, semisynthetic or synthetic compounds which purportedly improve cognitive functions, such as executive functions, attention or memory.

Nutraceutical is a marketing term used to imply a pharmaceutical effect from a compound or food product that has not been scientifically confirmed or approved to have clinical benefits. In the United States, nutraceuticals are considered and regulated as a subset of foods by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabidiol</span> Phytocannabinoid discovered in 1940

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a phytocannabinoid, one of 113 identified cannabinoids in cannabis plants, along with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and accounts for up to 40% of the plant's extract. Medically, it is an anticonvulsant used to treat multiple forms of epilepsy. It was discovered in 1940 and, as of 2024 clinical research on CBD included studies related to the treatment of anxiety, addiction, psychosis, movement disorders, and pain, but there is insufficient high-quality evidence that CBD is effective for these conditions. CBD is sold as an herbal dietary supplement and promoted with yet unproven claims of particular therapeutic effects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fruit snack</span> Fruit-flavored gummy confection

A fruit snack is a type of gummy snack made with fruit flavoring and natural gelatin. They were first made by confectioner Louis Shalhoub in the 1970s as a lightweight high energy snack food for backpackers. Although they are often marketed as a healthier alternative to regular gummy candies, the veracity of these claims is disputed, as fruit snacks typically contain fruit flavoring instead of actual fruit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nutrition facts label</span> Table of nutrition facts on food labels

The nutrition facts label is a label required on most packaged food in many countries, showing what nutrients and other ingredients are in the food. Labels are usually based on official nutritional rating systems. Most countries also release overall nutrition guides for general educational purposes. In some cases, the guides are based on different dietary targets for various nutrients than the labels on specific foods.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Juice Plus</span> Line of dietary supplements

Juice Plus is a branded line of dietary supplements. It is produced by Natural Alternatives International of San Marcos, California, for National Safety Associates. Introduced in 1993, the supplements are distributed by NSA via multi-level marketing. Juice Plus supplements contain fruit and vegetable juice extracts with added vitamins and nutrients.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Picamilon</span> Chemical compound

Picamilon is a drug formed by a synthetic combination of niacin and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). It was developed in the Soviet Union in 1969 and further studied in both Russia and Japan as a prodrug of GABA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gummy candy</span> Category of gelatin-based chewable candy

Gummies, gummi candies, gummy candies, or jelly sweets are a broad category of gelatin-based chewable sweets. Gummy bears, Sour Patch Kids, and Jelly Babies are widely popular and are a well-known part of the sweets industry. Gummies are available in a wide variety of shapes, most commonly seen as colorful depictions of living things such as bears, babies, or worms. Various brands such as Bassett's, Haribo, Albanese, Betty Crocker, Hersheys, Disney and Kellogg's manufacture various forms of gummy snacks, often targeted at young children. The name "gummi" originated in Germany, with the terms "jelly sweets" or "gums" more common in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vegan nutrition</span> Nutritional and human health aspects of vegan diets

Vegan nutrition refers to the nutritional and human health aspects of vegan diets. A well-planned vegan diet is suitable to meet all recommendations for nutrients in every stage of human life. Vegan diets tend to be higher in dietary fiber, magnesium, folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E, and phytochemicals; and lower in calories, saturated fat, iron, cholesterol, long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, calcium, zinc, and vitamin B12.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994</span> 1994 statute of United States Federal legislation

The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 ("DSHEA"), is a 1994 statute of United States Federal legislation which defines and regulates dietary supplements. Under the act, supplements are regulated by the FDA for Good Manufacturing Practices under 21 CFR Part 111. The act was intended to exempt the dietary and herbal supplement industry from most FDA drug regulations, allowing them to be sold and marketed without scientific backing for their health and medical claims.

O Positiv, Inc. is a healthcare company headquartered in Los Angeles. It specializes in dietary supplements aimed at easing the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). The company is the owner of the FLO brand.

References

  1. ↑ Janin, Alex (11 October 2022). "Gummy Vitamins Are Surging in Popularity. Are They Healthy or Just Candy?". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2022-11-09.
  2. ↑ Jaqua, Maggie (2022-10-14). "Healthy or Just Candy? CRN Responds to Article Criticizing Gummies/Supplements". WholeFoods Magazine. Retrieved 2022-11-09.
  3. ↑ "12 Best Vitamins for Kids 2023: Comparison, Daily Needs, and FAQ". medicalnewstoday.com. 2 September 2020. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  4. ↑ "Insights on the Worldwide Gummy Vitamin Industry to 2025 - Featuring Bayer, Natrol & Melrob Group Among Others - ResearchAndMarkets.com". www.businesswire.com. 2020-06-04. Retrieved 2023-08-02.
  5. ↑ "Gummy vitamins are more appealing than pills — but they have some serious drawbacks". TODAY.com. 27 October 2022. Retrieved 2022-11-09.
  6. ↑ GreyViews (2023-01-14). "Gummy Vitamins Market will worth USD 42 billion by 2030 : GreyViews". GlobeNewswire News Room (Press release). Retrieved 2023-08-02.
  7. ↑ "Should you take gummy vitamins?". UCLA Health. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  8. ↑ "Goli Ashwagandha Gummies Review". Forbes Health. 2022-10-24. Retrieved 2022-11-09.
  9. ↑ "Royal CBD Gummies Review". Forbes Health. 2022-10-28. Retrieved 2022-11-09.
  10. ↑ "Solabia-Algatech launches Vitamin C astaxanthin gummies". nutraceuticalbusinessreview.com. Retrieved 2022-11-09.
  11. ↑ "Mito ou verdade: Gummy Hair, gominhas de vitamina, fazem o cabelo crescer?". O Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). 26 August 2022. Retrieved 2022-11-09.
  12. ↑ "3D printed nutrient gummy brand Rem3dy Health honoured with King's Award for Enterprise". Business Matters. 2023-04-21. Retrieved 2023-08-02.
  13. ↑ "Sirio Europe debuts collagen gummies for beauty and sports nutrition at Vitafoods Europe 2023". Nutritional Outlook. 2023-05-02. Retrieved 2023-08-02.
  14. ↑ "Kourtney Kardashian's Lemme vagina gummies? Don't bother, say experts". BBC News. 2023-02-07. Retrieved 2023-08-02.
  15. ↑ Stabile, Angelica (2022-08-15). "Martha Stewart drops pumpkin spice CBD Wellness Gummies as limited-edition 'fall favorite'". FOXBusiness. Retrieved 2023-08-02.
  16. ↑ "Alicia Silverstone launches vitamin line". HELLO!. 2017-08-25. Retrieved 2023-08-02.
  17. ↑ Ethan, D.; Basch, C. H.; Samuel, L.; Quinn, C.; Dunne, S. (2015). "An examination of product packaging marketing strategies used to promote pediatric multivitamins". Journal of Community Health. 40 (3): 564–568. doi:10.1007/s10900-014-9972-1. PMID   25416097. S2CID   8756058 . Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  18. ↑ CBD Gummies Reviews
  19. ↑ Kamangar, F.; Emadi, A. (2012). "Vitamin and Mineral Supplements: Do We Really Need Them?". International Journal of Preventive Medicine. 3 (3): 221–226. PMC   3309636 . PMID   22448315.
  20. ↑ "Do Gummy Vitamins Work as Well as Traditional Vitamins?". Cleveland Clinic. 2021-05-14. Retrieved 2022-11-09.
  21. ↑ "Gummy Vitamins: Are They Real Vitamins or Pure Sugar? | HealthNews". HealthNews. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  22. ↑ Mäkinen, K. K. (2016). "Gastrointestinal Disturbances Associated with the Consumption of Sugar Alcohols with Special Consideration of Xylitol: Scientific Review and Instructions for Dentists and Other Health-Care Professionals". International Journal of Dentistry. 2016: 1–16. doi: 10.1155/2016/5967907 . PMC   5093271 . PMID   27840639.
  23. ↑ Nigg, J. T.; Lewis, K.; Edinger, T.; Falk, M. (2012). "Meta-Analysis of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms, Restriction Diet, and Synthetic Food Color Additives". Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 51 (1): 86–97.e8. doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2011.10.015. PMC   4321798 . PMID   22176942.
  24. ↑ Lam, H. S.; Chow, C. M.; Poon, W. T.; Lai, C. K.; Chan, K. C.; Yeung, W. L.; Hui, J.; Chan, A. Y.; Ng, P. C. (2006). "Risk of vitamin A toxicity from candy-like chewable vitamin supplements for children". Pediatrics. 118 (2): 820–824. doi:10.1542/peds.2006-0167. PMID   16882846. S2CID   46235487 . Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  25. ↑ "FDA 101: Dietary Supplements". U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 9 June 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  26. ↑ "FDA 101: Dietary Supplements". U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 9 June 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2023.


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