Are gummy vitamins as effective as traditional vitamin pills?

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SUMMARY

Making sure you get the right amount of daily vitamins can be difficult. Today, a booming multi-billion-dollar industry of gummy vitamins and supplements claims its products make it both easier and tastier. But how do they compare with traditional vitamin pills? Ali Rogin speaks with registered dietitian Shyla Davis-Cadogan to learn more.

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WARM-UP QUESTIONS

1. What does nutritionist Shyla Davis-Cadogan recommend people do to determine what vitamins they need?
2. Why have gummy vitamins become so popular in recent years?
3. How effective are gummy vitamins compared to pill or tablet supplements?
4. Where does Davis-Cadogan recommend that you store your supplements?
5. Who regulates supplements like gummy vitamins?

FOCUS QUESTIONS

Shyla Davis-Cadogan says that some potential downsides of gummy vitamins are that it can be difficult for manufacturers to get enough nutrients in them, they usually contain added sugar and they must be stored properly in order to maintain their efficacy.

1. Why do you think it can be difficult to know the actual health effects of health supplements?
2. Do you think federal agencies or private entities like doctors and non-profits are better positioned to evaluate the effects of health supplements?

Media literacy: Do you take vitamins or supplements or know someone who does? How can someone find out more about the quality of their vitamins aside from the information provided by the manufacturer?

WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO

Watch the video below to learn how ‘thinly veiled’ social media ads are influencing what we eat and drink.

To learn about the skincare craze and what products dermatologists recommend for your age, complete this Daily News Lesson.

Written by Gianfranco Beran, PBS News Hour Classroom’s production assistant, and News Hour’s Victoria Pasquantonio.

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