Gummies, the new dietary supplements
What is it?
Gummies are chewable candies. They come in different shapes—star, small ball, bear—and there is also a variety of colors and flavors.
They contain a blend of vitamins and minerals and sometimes plant extracts.
Accelerated hair growth, preparing the skin for summer tanning, easier sleep — the sought-after effects are varied. Gummies are easier to take than capsules and tablets. They are sucked and chewed and do not need to be swallowed.
Their consumption updates the sometimes somewhat restrictive image of taking dietary supplements. It even has a playful side.
What do gummies contain?
In the composition of gummies you can find:
- Un mélange de plantes, de vitamines ou de minéraux contenant des principes actifs.
- Un sucrant généralement composé de saccharose (provenant de betterave sucrière ou de canne à sucre) et de sirop de blé. Pour les gummies sans sucre, on utilise des édulcorants.
- Des gélifiants qui leur donnent leur texture élastique. La gélatine animale est peu utilisée au profit de gélifiants végétaux comme la pectine de fruits, l’agar-agar ou la gomme d’acacia.
- Un enrobage généralement fait de sucre ou de cire de carnauba, un palmier brésilien.
- Des arômes et des parfums, orange, cassis, melon ou mangue…
What are the drawbacks and side effects of gummies?
Risk of overdose and interactions
Beware of overdoses of vitamins and minerals! The gummy form of dietary supplements makes them particularly attractive. You should carefully follow the dosage and not snack on them indiscriminately.
Furthermore, be aware of the risk of interactions when taking multiple dietary supplements. Consult a healthcare professional to mitigate this risk.
Depending on the composition of the gummies, their use may be discouraged for certain groups. For example, children, pregnant or breastfeeding people, or those sensitive to caffeine. Consult a physician before starting a course.
ANSES warned consumers in a November 2020 press release about the ingestion of a dietary supplement for hair. Two cases of acute hepatitis appear to be linked to ingestion of this chewing gum.
ANSES specifically recommends following the dosages specified by manufacturers and avoiding multiple, repeated, or prolonged use throughout the year.
Formulation challenges
The gummy form raises formulation challenges for brands. In this interview, for example, David Gueunoun, founder of Les Miraculeux, discusses the difficulties of stabilizing vitamin C in the presence of pectin.
In another interview, Angélique d’Esclaibes, co-founder of Epycure, says that the concentration of active ingredients in a gummy is lower than in a capsule or tablet (about five times lower).
The choice of plants used in gummy formulations is also crucial to ensure their effectiveness.
Sugar content under scrutiny
Because gummies contain sugar, it’s necessary to consult a doctor if you have diabetes before starting a course. Some argue that these candy-like dietary supplements may encourage snacking.
What are the main active ingredients used?
Active ingredients in Beauty gummies (hair, nails, skin)
Zinc is an essential trace element. Our body does not produce it; it is supplied by diet or supplementation. It is involved in the synthesis of collagen. Zinc may help reduce acne symptoms, as shown by this study.
Biotin, or vitamin B8, is also called vitamin K. It is involved in the health of the skin, hair, and nails. It contributes to the formation of keratin, the primary protein and main component of our hair.
Selenium is a so-called essential mineral. That means it must be obtained through the diet. It has very strong antioxidant activity. It helps reduce the action of free radicals responsible for oxidative stress.
Beta-carotene is a precursor of vitamin A (retinol), meaning the body can convert it into vitamin A. It affects the pigmentation of the skin and stimulates tanning. Vitamin A itself has antioxidant activity.
Active ingredients in Sleep gummies
The passionflower, also called the passion flower, is native to South America. A study conducted on a sample of mice suggests its effect on sleep onset as well as on sleep duration.
The griffonia is an African plant. It contains the amino acid 5-HTP, a precursor to serotonin, also known as the ‘happiness hormone.’ 5-HTP also promotes melatonin production and sleep onset.
Melatonin is also known as the sleep hormone. It is used to treat insomnia or jet lag (the time zone change syndrome). Many studies highlight the effect of melatonin supplementation on sleep.
The valerian , also called cat’s herb, is a plant with a soothing effect. It reduces stress and makes falling asleep easier. This study presents the effect of valerian on the sleep of people experiencing insomnia.
Active ingredients in Energy gummies
The vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is synonymous with energy. It boosts the immune system and helps fight winter ailments such as colds.
Ginseng is an invigorating plant of Asian origin. It is classified in the category of adaptogenic plants. It increases the body’s resistance to attacks. It is a plant that increases vitality and boosts the immune system.
The seeds of guarana are stimulating. Indeed, they contain caffeine called guaranine. Guarana stimulates the central nervous system. It helps reduce drowsiness and boosts strength and endurance during athletic performance.
Vitamin B6 is also called pyridoxine. It is essential to the functioning of the body. It is notably involved in the body’s energy production from glycogen (a carbohydrate found in the liver and muscles).
Main gummy brands in France
In France, the main gummy brands are Les Miraculeux, Epycure and Lashilé Beauty.
| Lashilé Beauty | Les Miraculeux | Epycure | |
| Facebook followers | 63.2 K | 12.4 K | 3.5 K |
| Instagram followers | 119 K | 27.2 K | 30.9 K |
| Number of references | 11 | 11 | 6 |
| Customer reviews | 2.8 / 5 (Trustpilot) | 9.3 / 10 (Avis Vérifiés) | 4 / 5 (Yotpo) |
| Number of reviews | 17 | 2725 | 294 |
| Creation date | January 2019 | February 2019 | May 2019 |
