Last Updated on November 10, 2022
It all seems so easy, doesn’t it? Just take a deliciously sweet and colorful gummy vitamin and magically transform into your best, healthiest self. Unfortunately, the ease of taking vitamin gummies is exactly what pulls so many into the trap of believing they’re doing something magical for their health. However, there may not be as much benefit to vitamin gummies as you might think.
Celebrities are Jumping on the Gummy Bandwagon
Sometimes, the first sign that something might be nothing more than a trend is when celebrities and influencers start clamoring to endorse it. Of course, that doesn’t mean that all celebrity endorsements lack earnestness. Still, it’s fair to say that many industries reach out to celebrities for endorsement deals when they feel it might add a layer of legitimacy to their product. Unfortunately, many think this is precisely what’s happening in the gummy vitamin industry.
Today.com reported on how quickly the gummy vitamin industry is growing and how celebrities are getting involved:
Global sales for gummy vitamins have exceeded $7 billion in 2022 alone, and celebrities like Kourtney Kardashian Barker are getting in the game. Her new line of “Lemme” gummies promises to boost concentration, debloat your body and help you “chill.” (Lemme did not respond to TODAY’s request for comment.)
There’s no question that there’s plenty of money in the gummy vitamin space. Still, health experts point out that only traditional vitamins are clinically proven to work.
Why are Gummy Vitamins so Popular?
You don’t build a multi-billion dollar industry out of nothing. It’s only possible when you have a product that’s legitimately popular with large segments of the population. Gummy vitamins fit that bill for a number of reasons, including:
- Visual Appeal – Most gummy vitamins are crafted to have a delightful visual appearance. The companies behind these products put a lot of effort into making their vitamins look social media-worthy. People tend to gravitate toward them because they like their appearance, which adds to their popularity.
- Easier to Take Than Pills – Some people have difficulty swallowing pills, which deters them from taking vitamins in pill form. Therefore, they may turn to gummy vitamins because they’re easier to consume.
- Celebrity Endorsements – There’s a reason why companies turn to celebrity endorsements, and it’s because they sell products. Celebrities can easily influence their adoring public, so it’s no surprise that the celeb stamp of approval moves vitamins off the shelves the way they do.
- Social Approval – Many people who take gummy vitamins show them off on social media for the approval of their peers. After all, taking vitamins is considered healthy, and with so many fitness influencers taking over social media, it’s no wonder members of the general public want to fit in.
These are just a few reasons why the public has gravitated toward buying gummy vitamins. They are wildly popular, and there’s no sign of a slowdown in the sales this industry will likely make.
What’s So Bad About Gummy Vitamins?
Gummy vitamins aren’t the worst thing in the world, and they don’t necessarily have a major negative health impact on your body. Instead, they might not be as healthy as you believed or hoped that they were. However, experts point out that gummy vitamins have some drawbacks in terms of being misleading about what they truly provide.
Added Sugar
Many gummy vitamins are packed full of sugar, which is part of what makes them so appealing to the masses. However, this also means you’re consuming more sugar to have your gummies. Of course, the industry often downplays this fact, so many consumers are blissfully unaware that the “healthy” vitamin gummy they pop every day has just as much sugar as a piece of candy.
No Regulation of Ingredients
Gummy vitamins are considered dietary supplements, meaning they aren’t regulated or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Thus, companies that make these supplements can get away with not being clear about the complete ingredient list. In fact, there are times when the ingredients contained within the gummies don’t even match those listed on the bottle. That’s important to note because it means you don’t necessarily know what you’re taking when opening up your favorite bottle of vitamin gummies.
Most people find it highly distressing to know that they’re potentially taking vitamins that aren’t going to do much for them. It’s even worse when they discover they might not even have the chance to learn what’s truly in the vitamins!
Overly Priced
This may come as no surprise, but gummy vitamins are often outrageously overpriced compared to regular vitamins. Moreover, because they have unproven health benefits and may be nothing more than a lump of sugar, you’re likely overpaying for the illusion of health and wellness.
Skip This Fad
The bottom line is that while gummy vitamins aren’t particularly harmful to your health, they don’t genuinely benefit you either. The product is highly touted and endorsed by celebrities, but those endorsements come down to money more than anything else. So if you want to avoid getting taken for a ride, you should take a pass on this particular fad.