Vitamin gummies and sprays found to be more expensive and less nutritious than tablets

An investigation by consumer watchdog Which? has revealed that vitamin gummies and sprays can cost up to eight times more than traditional tablets and capsules, often while providing lower nutrient doses.

The analysis compared 20 supplements, including multivitamins and magnesium, evaluating price, dosage, and additives. The report found that products marketed as convenient or appealing alternatives frequently lack the nutrient density of standard pills. For example, Starpowa's Magnesium Super Strength gummies cost £1.33 per daily dose but provide only 206mg of magnesium. In contrast, Nutriva Magnesium Complex tablets provide 400mg for just 17p per day.

Beyond cost, the study noted that gummies often contain more additives, such as gelling agents, sugars, and sweeteners, to achieve their taste and texture. Boots Multivitamin gummies were found to contain only nine vitamins, none at the full recommended daily amount, whereas Boots A-Z Multivitamin tablets contained 23 essential nutrients at recommended levels for a lower price.