‘Candyceuticals’ promise to deliver nutrients in a way that appeals to your inner child. But should you be buying? We chew over the science
If the word ‘gummies’ still reminds you of Haribo Tangfastics, welcome to wellness in 2023. Nutritional supplements have had a serious glow up, with pallid pills giving way to gummies that – thanks in no small part to influencer endorsements – are accounting for an increasingly big portion of the £49 billion* supp industry. These tasty morsels, which promise us everything from improved gut health to thicker hair and plumper skin, even have their own portmanteau. But while ‘candyceuticals’ satiate a sweet tooth as effectively as a bag of pick-and-mix, are they better than the washed-down-with-water variety gathering dust in your cupboard?
First, the good news: research suggests products’ positive sensory properties – such as gummies’ juicy flavours and bright hues – increase your drive to consume them. And the best supplement for you is the one you commit to taking regularly. Switching to agummy supp could also relieve pill fatigue in those who take multiple daily medications, and they’re a win for people who struggle to swallow tablets.
Despite these ‘soft’ benefits, gummies’ nutritional value over swallowable supps is, well, nonexistent. Typically made from corn starch, gelatine or non-animalderived substances, they tend to pack in a solid serving of sugar, which may feature on the ingredients list under less-off-putting aliases such as maltitol syrup, glucose syrup and sucrose.
Herein lies the sticky issue: these supplements are, ultimately, still
a sweet. As such, regular consumption could be damaging for dental health; they can get stuck between teeth, contributing to tooth decay. And while gummies’ palatability can be a positive, the flip side is that it’s tempting to over-consume. Eating more gummies than is recommended can be dangerous, as your levels of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) and minerals can build to potentially toxic levels, with effects ranging from headaches (from vitaminA) to liver damage (when you consume too much iron).
While nutritional
