Friday, May 10, 2024

Wall Street Journal: Gummy Vitamins Are No Better Than Candy

What’s not to love about gummy vitamins? Well, as it turns out, a lot.

According to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, Caroline Susie, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, refers to gummy vitamins as nothing more than “glorified candy.”

And as problematic as gummy vitamins may be for adults, the problem gets even worse for children, who often take gummy vitamins to fill in common nutritional gaps.

Ada Cooper, a dentist and spokesperson for the American Dental Association, says taking gummy vitamins can be compared to treating kids to “candy 365 days a year”.

What makes gummy vitamins so problematic? First they often include added sugars, which can be detrimental to children’s health. According to Neha Vyas MD, a family medicine physician at the Cleveland Clinic, gummy vitamins often include two to eight grams of sugar per serving, making them “sugar pills” disguised as a health product.

To put that number in perspective, according to guidelines established by the American Heart Association, children under two should consume zero added sugar while older children should consume a maximum of 20-25 grams of added sugar on any given day. This means that if you give your child a daily gummy vitamin, your vitamin may include 30% of the daily maximum kids should ever eat.

In addition to including added sugar, many gummy vitamins are known to include potentially problematic ingredients, such as citric acid and gelatin. These additives and sugar are known to wreak havoc on children’s teeth, leading to cavities, tooth decay, compromised enamel, and countless trips to the dentist.

To make matters even worse, gummy vitamins are known to be the least stable form of vitamins which means that if you give your child gummy vitamins, you can’t be sure your child is getting the nutrients you are expecting. Dr Vyas advises that “gummy vitamins actually have fewer vitamins and minerals than regular vitamins.”

In particular, gummy vitamins are more likely to have issues with quality than other forms of vitamins such as tablets and liquids.

Or as Dr Vyas says, “Even if the label has a certain amount of vitamins, in reality, you’re probably not getting what’s on the label.”

So, what’s a parent to do to ensure their kid gets the vitamins and minerals they need in a healthy way?

Since pills and capsules can be dangerous for children, experts agree the solution is often a quality chewable.

And when it comes to an ideal option, many experts agree the leading chewable vitamin on the market is Hiya. Formulated by pediatricians and supercharged with 15 vital vitamins and minerals known to support healthy growth and development in kids, Hiya includes a blend of 12 fruits and veggies. Hiya is sweetened with monk fruit and zero added sugar for a taste kids love. And since there’s no gummy junk, cavities become much less of a concern.

Hiya was created by two dads who sought a solution for their own children to ensure they were getting essential vitamins and minerals while avoiding the downsides of gummy vitamins. After consulting pediatricians, scientists and parents, they created Hiya, a super-powered chewable vitamin that is gluten-free, sugar-free, and vegan.

Plus, while traditional gummies are known to be notoriously unstable, Hiya is packaged and delivered fresh. The vitamins are delivered with a refillable glass bottle kids can decorate with stickers followed by refills to pour into your bottle. So, Hiya isn’t only good for healthy habits, it’s also good for the environment.

“We really like these vitamins for our 2 year old. Since she’s been taking Hiya we’ve noticed a difference in her mood. Love that there isn’t any sugars & it’s not a gummy. She really likes the taste. Thanks so much for making an excellent vitamin for kiddos.”

“Love these vitamins. I've tried most vitamins you can pick up from the grocery store and my daughter wouldn't eat them. She has eaten every one of these vitamins since I've started giving them to her. Exactly what I hoped for with these vitamins.”

“Super happy with this vitamin. My almost 3 year old loves taking it every day and it’s given mom peace of mind that he’s getting the vitamins he needs to grow healthy and strong when it can be hit or miss some days with the foods he chooses to eat.”

“I am so thrilled I found this for my daughter. I suspect she has the MTHFR variation and this vitamin has been a game changer for her. Her appetite has increased and she finally gaining steady, healthy weight. Her body is able to absorb all this goodness and its making all the difference. Thank You HIYA for changing my daughter's life, and mine.”

“My son lovessss his vitamins! He can’t wait to take them every morning. I also love that these are natural, allergen friendly vitamins for my son who has multiple food allergies/sensitivities.”

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Source: WSJ – Gummy Vitamins Are Surging in Popularity. Are They Healthy or Just Candy?

Anita Quinn

Anita Quinn (31) is a Staff Writer for The Daily Post focusing on Beauty, Fashion, and Health. Her extensive traveling for various environmental and wildlife conservation groups has taken her to 24 countries and 37 U.S. states. The three things she packs for every trip are: a good mystery novel, a moisturizer with a high SPF, and her mother's old camera.

Wall Street Journal: Gummy Vitamins Are No Better Than Candy

Anita Quinn

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