This Is Why You Should Opt For Chewable Tablets Rather Than Gummy Vitamins

Your supplement drawer may have grown over the years, with new products becoming available on a regular basis. Depending on whether you're taking a multivitamin or a specific mineral, you likely have to choose between gummy options and chewable tablets. Indeed, Time reports, 80 percent of the gummy vitamin industry revolves around adult gummy vitamins. But, are they actually working?

The outlet explains that many adults feel overwhelmed by the number of pills they need to take on a daily basis, making them averse to adding more to their routine. Enter: easy-to-chew gummies and tablets. Unfortunately, gummies are harder to jam bioavailable nutrients into. Dr. Tod Cooperman, president of ConsumerLab.com, explains, "It's a lot harder to make a good gummy than it is to make a tablet or capsule."

The company's recent survey found that four out of five gummy vitamins didn't contain the full amount of nutrients they claimed. And, gummies were most unlikely to pass testing, the outlet notes. "Many companies seem to have trouble controlling the amounts of ingredients in each gummy," Dr. Cooperman adds. Plus, this type of supplement loses its potency much more quickly than other options. "This leads some manufacturers to put in a lot more of certain vitamins than labeled to ensure the product provides at least 100 percent of the labeled amounts throughout its shelf life," he adds.

Unsurprisingly, many supplements that tout high contents of vitamins and minerals may not have all they've claimed. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, humans require 13 vitamins and 12 minerals on a daily basis for basic functions — and most gummy supplements only contain a few of those. Chewable or liquid options likely contain more of these nutrients, but tablets usually are your best bet for bioavailable vitamins.

Furthermore, many chewable options contain gelatin and various types of sugars to create their structure. Insider explains that coconut oil, beeswax and acacia gum are often main ingredients in these supplements as well. Also made with sugars and sugar alcohol, chewable vitamins may have 8 grams of sugar per serving. In addition to the most common results of too much sugar, theis can also impact dental health. The outlet reports that parts of these gummies may stick on your teeth and lead to cavities.

Swallowing pills the old fashioned way offers the safest option for absorbing important nutrients. With a lower risk of overuse and a higher number of minerals, these supplements will make a bigger difference in how you feel. "Liquids can also be considered if you just want certain minerals or vitamins, like vitamin D, which can be given as a flavorless drop added to a drink," Dr. Cooperman adds.