Digestive or sleep problems, a weakened immune system, skin issues, vitamin deficiencies, … For many reasons, you may need a course of dietary supplements, often taken in the form of capsules or tablets. In recent years, an innovative form of supplements has emerged: Gummies. These are small chewable gummies made from plants, vitamins and minerals, whose role has been scientifically demonstrated. They work in the same way as conventional dietary supplements, whether for your well-being or your health, while making them more pleasant to take. This original and fun dosage form is increasingly popular. But many people wonder whether, behind their candy-like appearance, they are as effective as other, more traditional forms of dietary supplements. So, to help you better understand this dosage form, here is an overview of this alternative to capsules, along with its advantages and disadvantages.
What are Gummies?
Gummies are a form of dietary supplement, just like capsules, powders and tablets, enriched with plants (hibiscus, spirulina, adaptogenic plants, etc.), vitamins (vitamin B12, vitamin B9, biotin, etc.) and minerals (zinc, selenium, iron, magnesium, etc.) to provide a specific or overall effect on the body. These vitamin gummies have the same texture as candy and are actually made from a glucose syrup base that gels in the presence of apple pectin, or maltitol, a natural ingredient derived from corn that replaces sugar weight for weight and helps maintain a pleasant taste and soft texture without sugar.
To combine pleasure and well-being and take care of your health, Hélène, our Head of R&D at Epycure, developed a complete range of Gummies with delicious raspberry, orange, redcurrant, cherry and many other flavors, enriched with medicinal plants (such as saffron and adaptogenic plants), essential oils, vitamins and minerals of natural origin. Depending on your needs and preferences, you can support your stress levels, sleep, skin, nails, hair or your body's detoxification. In addition to being pleasant to consume, our Gummies are made in France and suitable for all diets.
What explains their success?
Following several studies, it became clear that a large proportion of people who started a course of dietary supplements tended to stop partway through, either because they tasted unpleasant, because their form resembled medication, or simply because they got tired of them. Until now, most people viewed dietary supplements as products with a curative purpose. But this perception is changing, and more and more people are realizing that these products are intended to prevent everyday ailments and illnesses, for a happier daily life. Gummies are therefore reinventing the way we supplement. With their delicious candy-like taste, this format lets you care for your body, health and beauty while enjoying yourself. No more excuses for not completing your course!
Are the active ingredient dosages in Gummies lower than in capsule courses?
Gummies often contain lower quantities of active ingredients than capsules because, at present, it is not possible to include more than 10% active ingredients in a gummy, compared with more than 50% in a capsule or tablet. Too much active ingredient would prevent the gummy from forming. For some active ingredients, particularly vitamins and most minerals, this is not too much of an issue because they are effective at quantities of just a few µg or mg. It can sometimes be more problematic with certain plants that require several hundred mg to be effective.
Of course, we know all this at Epycure and take it into account when developing each formula to create the most effective product possible: either we limit the choice of plants to those that are effective at lower percentages, or we forgo the Gummies dosage form if choosing a specific plant is important to achieving the desired effectiveness.
Are Gummies high in sugar?
At Epycure, we currently offer a range of sugar-free Gummies, meeting the dietary restrictions of as many people as possible (people with diabetes, people who have undergone sleeve surgery, those with glucose intolerance, etc.). In this case, the glucose syrup has been replaced with naturally sourced maltitol, extracted from corn. This ingredient replaces sugar weight for weight and provides the necessary bulk to restore the Gummies' consistency, making them even softer and more melt-in-the-mouth. Using maltitol helps retain the taste and consistency of sugar while reducing calorie intake (1 sugar-free gummy = 8 kcal vs. 1 gummy with sugar = 15 kcal).
For the few products we still offer that contain sugar, the gummy base is indeed glucose syrup, which gels in the presence of apple pectin (not aspartame). So, if your diet allows it, simply bear in mind that 2 Gummies contain only 2 grams of sugar, equivalent to the number of calories in an apple slice. If you prefer to limit your sugar intake, you can consume them as a snack while limiting your intake of other sugary foods, for example.
Can Gummies be consumed by everyone?
Yes, Gummies can be consumed by everyone, unless contraindicated, of course. As with all dietary supplements, each formula has its own contraindications, related either to your age or your physiological condition, depending on the active ingredients used and their dosages. Children under 12, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and people undergoing medical treatment should be particularly vigilant. Take a look at the back of the packaging, where all precautions for use and contraindications are listed.
Are Gummies really effective?
As part of a balanced diet, Gummies are just as effective as powders or capsules. Taking a course every day, with pleasure, ensures better effectiveness than taking it every other day whenever you remember. In addition, the active ingredients in Gummies are optimally absorbed by the body, just like those in other forms of dietary supplements. However, be careful with certain ingredients, such as probiotics, which are only effective if they are absorbed in the intestines. They should therefore not be taken in gummy form, as they could be destroyed before reaching the intestinal microbiota.
How should you choose the form of your dietary supplement?
Gummies or conventional dietary supplements? There is no difference in terms of effectiveness; each supplement is formulated to have the best possible effect on the body. So, you should choose the form you enjoy taking so that you can follow your course consistently for maximum effectiveness. If swallowing capsules bothers you and you prefer to take care of yourself every day in a fun and enjoyable way, Gummies are for you. If, on the other hand, you do not like the taste of Gummies and prefer a neutral-tasting form, you can choose capsules.
How should you take your Gummies course to experience real effects?
The length of the course depends on the desired effect. If you want to soothe occasional stress during periods of peak stress, you can take your course intermittently. However, if you want a long-term effect on your sleep, for example, opt for a course lasting several weeks or several months. We always recommend a 3-month course. The body needs time to get used to the active ingredients in order to derive the maximum benefits from them. Be careful not to exceed the recommended number of Gummies per day, as this is the daily dose best suited to provide effective results without any risk of overdose. So even if you do not feel the effects after one or two weeks, be patient and follow the recommended dosage. If you want to combine effects (hair and skin, digestion and immunity, etc.), you can also combine products; they complement each other and their benefits work together perfectly. However, remember to check the active ingredient dosages and not exceed the recommended daily dose.
So, would you like to try our delicious Gummies, as natural as they are effective?
