We’re all about reclaiming your inner child, and gummy vitamins sure seem designed to help.

But a daily vitamin that tastes like candy? If it sounds too good to be true, it’s because it probably is.

“Adults have so many options out there for vitamins today. Make gummy vitamins your last resort,” says Taimur Habib, MD, an internist and geriatrician with Hartford HealthCare Medical Group in Fairfield.

Dr. Habib shares the pros and cons of gummy vitamins for adults, and what you need to know before you walk down the vitamin aisle.

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Wait. They make gummy vitamins for adults?

True, gummy vitamins started out for kids. They look, smell, and taste like candy, and they’re chewable. That all makes them an easier pill for kids to swallow — er, chew.

Then companies realized these same things appeal to adults. Now gummy versions are available for single supplements like Vitamin C, as well as daily multivitamins.

What are the drawbacks to gummy vitamins?

The way gummy vitamins are made — in particular, the gelatin they’re made with — makes them less reliable as a package for nutrients. And all the sugar they’re made with isn’t great for you either.

“When it comes to the pros and cons of chewable vitamins, the ‘cons’ list is much longer,” says Dr. Habib.

Gummy vitamins:

  • Don’t include important minerals like iron
  • Have been shown to contain different levels of nutrients than what the label says
  • Don’t last as long on the shelf as conventional pill vitamins
  • Increase your risk for tooth decay
  • Can be tempting to take too many at a time, leading to a vitamin overdose

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Are there any advantages?

This list is notably shorter.

“There’s really just one ‘pro’ for gummy vitamins,” says Dr. Habib. “If you need a vitamin supplement, but you can’t or won’t take it in other forms, a gummy vitamin is better than nothing.”

Note: If you have trouble swallowing pills, many vitamins are now available as liquids too. Talk to your doctor about what’s best for you.

Remember, not everyone needs to take vitamins.

“The best way to get your nutrients is with a healthy and balanced diet,” points out Dr. Habib. “If you do that, many people don’t actually need to take vitamin supplements.”

But for others, like people who have dietary restrictions or trouble absorbing nutrients, vitamins are an important part of staying healthy.

As always, your doctor is the best person to help you navigate the rows of options at your local pharmacy.

You may have to disappoint your inner child in the vitamin aisle. But maybe you can pick them out something fun in the checkout line.