Gone are the pungent tonics and the bitter pills we’re accustomed to forcing down our throats since childhood. Enter gummies, that squishy, tasty solution for all your wellness issues, be it bone strength, sleep cycles or vitamin deficiencies.
Over the years, health gummies have grown into a convenient and taste-friendly health shot that is also easy to consume without water. Admittedly not a doctor’s first choice when writing up a prescription, the uptake of gummies among consumers has been undeniable.
While doctors give their nods to these wellness gummies for integrating vitamin and mineral supplements into people’s daily lives in a palatable manner, they add a note of caution over overconsumption, mixing of ingredients or overdosage of ingredients included in multiple supplements.
Convenience & consciousness
“Health gummies have become popular due to their convenience, taste, and perceived natural ingredients,” says Dr Manisha Arora, director, internal medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, adding: “Many people prefer gummies as supplements because they are easy to consume and do not require water.”
While doctors do not prescribe gummies as supplements in general, she says, “Some doctors do so, especially for people who have difficulty swallowing pills, for difficult children, or when a specific nutrient supplement is needed.
This is never a standard practice or a first-line treatment, and recommendations are usually based on individual patient needs and medical history.” According to Dr Arora, gummies present people with a fun way of taking supplements rather than viewing them just as medicines.
Dr Ajay Kumar Gupta, senior director and head of internal medicine at Max Super Specialty Hospitals, Vaishali, agrees. “Gummies feel more like a fun treat than a medicine. Plus, influencer support and eye-catching packaging make supplements look more like lifestyle choices than medical treatments.
” Dr Gupta points out another factor leading to the rise in demand for gummies. “After the pandemic, people are more worried about their health and are looking for easy ways to boost their immunity and overall well-being. These colourful chewables promise things like better immunity, better sleep, glowing skin, and stress relief.
They’ve quickly moved from being just for kids to becoming part of adult daily routines,” he adds.
While most doctors still go for tablets, capsules, or liquid forms, because they have better-studied dosage, absorption, and stability, “in certain situations like mild vitamin deficiencies, difficulty taking pills, or for children and older adults, doctors might suggest gummies as an option, as long as they are from a trusted brand and have the right dosage”, says Dr Gupta.
“Gummies are commonly used for vitamin D deficiency, calcium supplementation, joint health (glucosamine and chondroitin), immune health (vitamin C and probiotics), gut health, stress and anxiety (melatonin), and overall well-being,” shares Dr Arora.
“The prime consumers include health-conscious individuals, fitness enthusiasts and gym-goers, busy professionals who want convenient supplements, and parents seeking alternatives for children who are reluctant to take medicines.”
To judge effectiveness, “one should look for certifications like United States Pharmacopeia or National Science Foundation and check the ingredient list, the manufacturer, and the reputation of the brand.” “Reading reviews can also help.
Consulting a doctor or healthcare professional is advised before starting gummies, and dosage should always be followed as recommended,” adds Dr Arora.
This shift in edible medicine preferences “shows a bigger trend in how people approach health care,” according to Dr Gupta. “Gummies, strips, and sprays feel more modern, personal, and less scary than traditional pills.”
Risks & reality
Despite the many benefits of health gummies, there are risks too, warns Dr Gupta. “These include extra sugar, problems with teeth, taking the wrong amount, and thinking that gummies alone can fix health issues caused by bad habits.
While gummies can be a helpful part of a healthy lifestyle, they’re not a replacement for good nutrition, proper medical care, or healthy habits,” he stresses. Dr Gupta goes on to say that this can grow into a health concern if gone unchecked.
“Most doctors notice that people often decide on their own to take gummies, sometimes because friends or social media recommend them,” he informs. “While taking them once in a while isn’t usually a problem, taking too much of certain vitamins or minerals can lead to poisoning, throw off your body’s hormone balance, or stop your regular medicines from working properly.”
Dr Arora of CK Birla Hospital adds, “Potential harms include overconsumption due to their chewable and enjoyable nature, risk of toxic levels, drug interactions, unregulated ingredients from non-reputable brands, delay in proper medical treatment, and unrealistic expectations due to false claims.”
“It is essential to consider underlying conditions, actual body requirements, and whether blood tests are needed,” she explains.
Meanwhile, Joy Chatterjee, vice president, sales and marketing head, consumer business unit, Mankind Pharma, a company that produces a range of health gummies under the HealthOK brand, says health and wellness gummies are classified as nutraceuticals and therefore do not require a medical prescription.
A significant part of HealthOK’s consumer base prefers gummies for children above 6 years as they are convenient to consume, taste-friendly, and help ensure regular intake of essential nutrients as part of a balanced diet without resistance or discomfort.
“Nutraceuticals are products derived from food sources with extra health benefits, often understood in layman’s terms as the bridge between food and medicine,” he explains.
Currently, HealthOK offers a range of nutrition gummies designed for children above 6 years of age, “with formulations that support overall growth and immunity in accordance with FSSAI nutraceutical guidelines”. Demand for the range has shown steady year-on-year growth, primarily supported by repeat purchases from existing consumers.
Building on this momentum, the brand is also preparing to expand its portfolio with the launch of adult sleep support gummies. “Demand is largely concentrated in urban and semi-urban markets, with noticeable and growing adoption in tier II cities as awareness and access to nutraceutical products continue to expand.
Daily nutritional supplementation becomes simpler and more consistent when gummies are taken as per the recommended guidelines,” adds Chatterjee.
As per Dr Gupta of Max Super Specialty Hospital, important things to check include the quality of the ingredients, the amount of active nutrients in each serving, the sugar content, and if they have the proper approvals. “Many gummies have less of the useful ingredients than needed or too much sugar, which can actually be bad.
It’s always a good idea to talk to a doctor before starting any daily supplement, especially if you have diabetes, kidney disease, are pregnant, or are on other medications. Sadly, a lot of people start taking gummies without even consulting a healthcare professional,” he adds.
According to Dr Kirti Soni, director and head, research and development, Kapiva, a company that produces health gummies among other wellness supplements, the regulatory environment for food and dietary supplements in India is governed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
“The FSSAI is responsible for regulating and supervising the manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import of food products, as well as dietary supplements in India,” she was quoted as saying in a media report. According to Dr Soni, “The nutraceutical segment is expected to dominate the gummies market in India through 2028,” she adds.
