There are gummy versions of single vitamins and minerals. But the most common form is the gummy multivitamin, a kind of chewable vitamin that usually contains recommended amounts of three types of nutrients:

• Water-soluble vitamins: When you consume too much, they are passed through your body in urine. (You may notice this when vitamin B makes your urine turn yellow.) Very high doses can cause adverse effects.
• Fat-soluble vitamins: Your body stores these types in fatty tissue, so they are harder to eliminate if you take too high a dose. 
• Minerals: Your body needs minerals like calcium, potassium, and iron. They can build up in your heart, brain, and liver and then cause problems when they reach toxic levels. 

Are gummy or pill vitamins better?

It is harder to make a good-quality gummy than to make a good-quality pill. As opposed to tablets, caplets, and capsules, we have found that gummies are more likely to contain more ingredients than listed.” And because regular vitamins don’t come with the tasty appeal of added sugars, people aren’t as likely to take them in large doses.

Can you overdose on gummy vitamins?

Yes. While many people think you can’t have too much of a good thing, it’s possible to consume too many of a variety of vitamins. For example, chewable multivitamins and vitamin C gummies contain toxic amounts of vitamins when taken in large quantities, even if they do taste like gummy bears.

In fact, over 60,000 vitamin toxicity events are reported to U.S. Poison Control Centers every year. In terms of the recommended dosage of gummy supplements, including chewable multivitamins and vitamin C gummies, it’s best to follow the instructions on the product label. 

Here’s a breakdown of common vitamins and minerals that may cause issues if overconsumed:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin K
• Iron

It’s important to note that gummy vitamins for kids might contain different amounts of the nutrients than what is shown on the label, and there may be additives like sugars, food coloring, or sugar alcohols that could cause issues when consumed in high quantities.

How many gummy vitamins are too many?

The amount of gummy vitamins it takes to overdose depends on different factors, such as the formulation of the vitamins and the individual’s overall health condition. For example, eating 20 gummy vitamins may just make you more likely to experience side effects like nausea and diarrhea. That’s partly because most gummy vitamins contain sugar, which makes children hyperactive. 

In addition, people with kidney problems may be at a higher risk of a buildup of certain vitamins, such as vitamins A, E, and K. The kidneys are important for filtering toxins and returning vitamins to the bloodstream. If a person has kidney disease, eating a handful of gummy vitamins or more could be enough to raise certain vitamins and minerals to toxic levels. 

“Even with minimally toxic vitamins, consumption of a large amount can result in unwanted gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, abdominal pain, and other digestive problems. 

What happens if you eat too many gummy vitamins?

If you or your child eat too many gummy vitamins, the side effects will likely be mild. This is especially true if the child consumes a very small handful of vitamins at one time. Eating hundreds of gummy vitamin supplements is considered a one-time overdose because they contain minerals like zinc, magnesium, and manganese that can become toxic to the body at very high levels. fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E, and K can build up quickly in the body, causing serious health risks like injury to various organs and systems, including the brain. Alternatively, eating handfuls of gummies over time is also considered excessive intake and can cause long-term elevated levels of vitamins and minerals, which may lead to serious health complications. 

What should you do in a gummy vitamin overdose?

There are several steps you can take if you or your child has eaten too many gummy vitamins.

Contact Poison Control:

To be safe, it’s best to contact your healthcare provider or poison control immediately after you realize you or your child has eaten too many gummy vitamins.

According to the National Poison Data System,in US 2018 there were more than 41,000 phone calls made to poison control centers related to the consumption of vitamins in children that were 5 or younger. At the hospital, a healthcare provider may administer activated charcoal, intravenous (IV) fluids, medications to treat symptoms, and other supportive measures to treat vitamin toxicity. 

Drink extra water. Many multivitamin preparations contain water-soluble vitamins, which are eliminated relatively quickly through the urine, so keeping a child hydrated after the consumption has taken place will allow them to clear the vitamins more rapidly.”

Bring the vitamins to your doctor.  There are a variety of gummies marketed for children, with many different medicinal and non-medicinal ingredients. It’s important for medical providers to know exactly what was in the specific vitamins that your child consumed.

Avoid overconsumption. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that you talk to your doctor before giving your child any vitamins or supplements. 

Because of the high risk of overconsumption, the AAP doesn’t recommend giving kids vitamins that are already available through a food source, so try to optimize important nutrients with a balanced diet. That way, your child will receive the health benefits of a wide array of vitamins and minerals.