Doctor explained why children"s vitamins in the form of gummies are a scam

Sweet danger: why gummy vitamins can be harmful to children, explained by an endocrinologist

"Bright, aromatic, and tasty vitamins in the form of gummies, which don't need to be washed down with water, have become a real hit among children. Little ones themselves gladly remind about the time to take such 'medicines'. However, behind the attractive packaging and convenience of consumption lies a real deception," warns pediatric endocrinologist Daria Khaykina in an interview with "Gazeta.Ru".

The specialist identifies the high sugar content as the main pitfall of chewable vitamins. Manufacturers rarely use only natural sweeteners; most often, the composition contains glucose syrup, sugar, fructose, and artificial flavors.

"2-3 vitamin gummies can contain up to 5 grams of sugar. With daily intake, this leads to the consumption of almost 2 kilograms of additional sugar per year! Many parents are confident that they limit sweets in their child's diet, not suspecting that these vitamin complexes contain more sugar than a regular candy," emphasizes Khaykina.

Another serious problem is related to dosage. Children often perceive gummy vitamins as sweets and cannot stop at the recommended portion.

"Frequently, children secretly eat much more than the prescribed daily dose. This can lead to overdose, especially dangerous in the case of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, which accumulate in the body and become toxic in excessive amounts," warns the endocrinologist.

The specialist also notes that dosages in gummy vitamins are often understated, the composition doesn't always match what's claimed, and bioavailability is lower compared to classic vitamin forms.

Additionally, sugar significantly reduces the absorption of many vitamins. For example, vitamins C and D contained in such products are poorly absorbed in the presence of sugar. Added sugars also exacerbate the deficiency of B vitamins, especially B1 (thiamine), which is responsible for a child's growth, brain function, and nervous system.

"Gummy vitamins are not about health care, but rather indulgence. If you still choose them, do so consciously: carefully study the composition and dosages, prefer options with minimal sugar content. And remember that you are unlikely to replenish real vitamin deficiencies in a child with such means," concluded Khaykina.