What Happens if You Eat Too Many Vitamin Gummies?

Does anyone else remember eating gummy multivitamins as kids and not understanding how they weren’t considered candy? No one’s going to complain about gummies tasting too good, but it did make it a little difficult to resist eating more than just one or two a day. Even though they seemed to have tasted better than fruit snacks, no one should eat too many gummies. 

They were initially created to be an easier-ingested alternative to traditional supplements, as many adults and children have difficulties swallowing pills. However, some people don’t realize that it is possible to have too much of a good thing. Although they aren’t toxic enough to warrant a trip to the emergency room, it is possible to overdose on gummy vitamins. 

Is It Possible to Overdose on Vitamin Gummies?

Yes, it is possible to have one too many gummy bears that are packed with vitamins. Just like everything else, we have to ingest even healthy stuff in moderation. Some vitamins are fine to consume in large amounts without harm, but there are some vitamins that are toxic when consumed in high doses. There are a few different types of vitamins and minerals in multivitamins that pose different health risks when not consumed in moderation. These include:

Water-Soluble Vitamins

Water-soluble vitamins typically include vitamin C, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, biotin, pantothenic acid, and folic acid. Our bodies don’t store these vitamins, so any ingredient consumed in excess is excreted through urine to prevent overdose. 

Fat-Soluble Vitamins 

Fat-soluble vitamins include vitamin A, vitamin D, and vitamin E. It’s possible to build up toxic amounts of these vitamins since these are stored in fat However, the symptoms are often mild.  

Minerals

With minerals, they maintain the balance of water in the body and help with blood clots or building bones. These vitamins include potassium calcium, sodium, and zinc. It’s possible to overdose on minerals, and they will often induce nausea and vomiting beforehand. 

Toxic Vitamin Amounts

Gummy multivitamins often have different amounts of each vitamin in them, but if you’re looking for a general idea of toxicity, here are some examples of how many gummies could pose a risk to both adults and young children. A typical serving size is 1-2 gummies per day based on the daily recommended amounts of vitamins and grams of sugar, but specific numbers are dependent on age and weight. 

Children (4-8 years of age)

• Vitamin A (900 micrograms – 3 gummies)
• Vitamin C (650 milligrams – 43 gummies)
• Vitamin D (75 micrograms – 6 gummies)
• Vitamin E (300 milligrams – 44 gummies)

Adults

• Vitamin A (3,000 micrograms – 4 gummies)
• Vitamin C (2,000 milligrams – 66 gummies) 
• Vitamin D (100 micrograms – 4 gummies)
• Vitamin E (1,000 micrograms – 74 gummies)

Side Effects of Too Many Gummy Vitamins

So, what happens if you eat too many vitamin gummies? If an adult or child eats too many gummy vitamins in one sitting, this is known as a one-time overdose. It’s likely that their body will do whatever it can to dispel the unnecessary vitamins ingested. This can lead to some side effects, including:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea 
• Constipation
• Headache
• Irritability
• Fever
• Dizziness
• Muscle Pain
• Fatigue
• Bloated/Upset Stomach
• Seizures

If they’ve been consistently consuming above the recommended dosage of gummies per day, they can develop what is known as a chronic toxicity. This warrants a trip to a doctor because the side effects are more moderate to severe and can cause long-term health issues. These adverse effects can include:

• Muscle Pain
• Bone Pain
• Hair Loss
• Calcium Deposits
• Severe Headaches
• Gastrointestinal Distress 

What To Do After Eating Too Many Vitamin Gummies

No need to panic just yet, as the side effects from eating too many gummy vitamins are typically mild and won’t have long-term effects on your overall health. However, we advise making phone calls to poison control centers or consulting your healthcare provider just to be sure. Some useful information to have on hand in this scenario includes:

• Age 
• Weight
• Type of Vitamin
• Amount Ingested 

Other steps to take are rinsing out your mouth with water and consuming plenty of liquids, and following the instructions of poison control carefully. If you begin to experience more than just mild side effects, seek emergency care immediately. 

Find a Multivitamin That Suits You

It is important to know what vitamins you’re consuming and what they do. Taking a daily multivitamin is a great way to fill in the nutritional gaps in your diet. Sometimes, it’s difficult for kids and even adults to understand that while vitamin gummies may taste like candy, they’re not. Overconsumption of these gummy vitamins does happen, and it should be avoided. Understanding their purpose, the risks involved when eating too many, and keeping them out of reach (when concerning children) is the best way to safely get the vitamins we all need on a daily basis. 

At Uscriptives, we tell you what’s in our vitamins, why we include each ingredient in our formula, and the specific dosage amounts per multivitamin. To learn about our multivitamin supplements and other incredible wellness formulas, visit our website today!