Digestive or sleep problems, a weak immune system, skin problems, vitamin deficiencies… There are many reasons why you might need a course of dietary supplements, often taken as capsules or tablets. In recent years, an innovative form of supplement has emerged: gummies. These are small chewable gummies formulated with plants, vitamins and minerals, whose effects are scientifically proven. They work just like traditional dietary supplements, supporting your well-being and health, while making them more enjoyable to take. This original and fun dosage form is popular. But many people wonder whether, behind their candy-like appearance, they are as effective as more traditional forms of dietary supplements. To help you better understand this dosage form, let's take a closer look at this alternative to capsules, including 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 target a specific function or the body as a whole. These vitamin gummies have the same texture as candy and are actually made from a glucose syrup base that sets with apple pectin, or maltitol, a natural ingredient derived from corn that replaces sugar weight for weight and provides a pleasant taste and soft texture without the sugar.
To combine pleasure and well-being while taking care of your health, Hélène, our R&D manager at Epycure, has developed a whole range of gummies in delicious raspberry, orange, redcurrant, cherry and many other flavors, enriched with medicinal plants (such as saffron or adaptogenic plants), essential oils, vitamins and minerals of natural origin. Depending on your preferences and needs, you can target stress, sleep, skin, nails, hair or your body's detoxification. And besides being enjoyable to take, our gummies are made in France and suitable for all diets.
How can we explain their success?
Following several studies, it became clear that a large proportion of people who started a course of food supplements tended to stop taking them partway through, either because they taste unpleasant, because they look like medication, or simply because people get tired of them. Until now, most people actually considered food supplements to be products intended to treat health problems. But this view is changing, and more and more people are realizing that these products are intended to prevent everyday health problems and diseases, for a happier everyday life. Gummies are reinventing the way we supplement. With their delicious candy flavor, this format lets you take care of your body, health, and beauty while enjoying a treat. No more excuses for not completing your course!
Are the active ingredient dosages in gummies lower than in capsule supplements?
Gummies often contain lower amounts of active ingredients than capsules because, at present, it is not possible to put more than 10% active ingredients in a gummy, compared with more than 50% in a capsule or tablet. Too many active ingredients would prevent the gummy from forming. For some active ingredients, particularly vitamins and most minerals, this is not a major issue because they are effective in amounts of just a few µg or mg. It can sometimes be more of a problem with certain plants that require several hundred mg to be effective.
Of course, all of this is well known at Epycure, and we take it into account when developing each formula to create the most effective product possible: we either limit our choice of plants to those that are effective at lower percentages, or we forgo the gummy format if choosing a specific plant is important for the desired efficacy.
Are gummies high in sugar?
At Epycure, we now offer a range of sugar-free gummies to meet the dietary needs of as many people as possible (including people with diabetes, gastric sleeve patients, and people with glucose intolerance). In this case, glucose syrup has been replaced with naturally derived maltitol, extracted from corn. This ingredient replaces sugar weight for weight and provides the bulk needed to restore the gummies' consistency, making them even softer and more melt-in-your-mouth. Using maltitol makes it possible to keep the taste and texture of sugar while reducing the calorie content (1 sugar-free gummy = 8 kcal vs. 1 gummy with sugar = 15 kcal). L
For the few products we still offer that contain sugar, the gummies are made with glucose syrup, which is gelled with apple pectin (not aspartame). So, if your diet allows, just bear in mind that 2 gummies contain only 2 grams of sugar, or about as many calories as a wedge of apple. If you prefer to limit your sugar intake, you can have them as a snack, for example, while limiting other sources of sugar.
Can everyone take gummies?
Yes, gummies can be taken by anyone, unless they have a contraindication, of course. As with all dietary supplements, each formula has its own contraindications, depending on the active ingredients and dosages, as well as your age and physiological condition. Children under 12, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and people taking medication should be especially careful. Take a look at the back of the packaging for details of all precautions and contraindications.
Are gummies really effective?
As part of a balanced diet, gummies are just as effective as powder or capsule supplements. Taking a supplement every day and enjoying it helps make it more effective than taking it every other day whenever you remember. What's more, the active ingredients in gummies are absorbed by the body just as effectively as 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. So gummies are not the best choice for these, as the probiotics could be destroyed before reaching the gut microbiome.
How do you choose the form of your dietary supplement?
Gummies or conventional dietary supplements? There’s no difference in effectiveness; each supplement is formulated to have the best possible effect on the body. So, you should choose the form you enjoy taking so you can stick to your course consistently for maximum effectiveness. If swallowing capsules bothers you and you’d rather take care of yourself every day in a fun and enjoyable way, gummies are for you. If, on the other hand, you don’t like the taste of gummies and prefer a neutral-tasting option, you can choose capsules.
How should you take a gummies course to feel real effects?
The duration of your course will depend on the effect you’re looking for. If you’re looking to ease your stress occasionally during a peak in stress, you can take your course sporadically. However, if you want a more lasting effect on your sleep, for example, opt for a course lasting several weeks or several months. We always recommend a 3-month course. Your body needs time to get used to the active ingredients so it can benefit from them as much as possible. Be careful not to exceed the recommended number of gummies per day, as this is the most suitable daily dose to ensure they’re effective without any risk of overdose. So even if you don’t feel the effects after just one or two weeks, be patient and follow the dosage instructions. If you want to combine the effects (hair and skin, digestion and immunity, etc.), you can also combine products; they complement each other and their benefits work together perfectly. Just remember to check the active ingredient doses and not exceed the recommended daily dose.
So, ready to try our delicious gummies that are as natural as they are effective?
