Vitamins in chewing gum: what goes in, and what to check

How the vitamins get in

A chewing gum is built from a gum base, a sweetener, flavour and, in a functional gum, the actives. The vitamins are blended in during production rather than added afterwards, so every piece carries the same declared amount. Because the finished product is chewed rather than swallowed whole, the formulation work sits in getting the actives to hold up in the base and to taste the way they should.

The three things that decide quality

• The active list. Which vitamins, and how much of each per serving. A pack that names the vitamins but not the amounts is telling you less than it looks.
• The sweetener. It is the ingredient you chew most of. Aspartame and sugar alcohols are the two usual routes; real sugar is the third.
• Who makes it. Functional gum is a specialist manufacture. A brand that will say where and by whom its gum is made is giving you something to check.

Common questions

Can vitamins really be added to chewing gum?

Yes. Vitamins are blended into the gum base during manufacture rather than pressed into a tablet. Functional gum is an established category of confectionery, and specialist manufacturers produce it under food-production standards.

Which vitamins are commonly used in gum?

Water-soluble vitamins such as the B group and vitamin C are the most common, because they suit the format. Some formulas also include fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E and K. The exact list and the amount of each is a formulation decision, so read the pack rather than assuming.

Does chewing longer release more?

Release depends on the formula and on chewing time, which is why packs carry directions for how long to chew. Follow the directions on the pack you receive rather than a general rule.

Why does the sweetener matter?

The sweetener is usually the largest ingredient in a gum after the base, so it shapes both the taste and what you are chewing every day. Aspartame and sugar alcohols such as xylitol and sorbitol are the two most common choices. VITAGUM is sweetened with real sugar, with no aspartame and no artificial sweeteners.

Is vitamin gum a replacement for a balanced diet?

No. Vitamin gum is a food product intended to sit alongside a normal diet, not to replace one, and it is not a medicine. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a health condition, speak with a qualified healthcare professional before use.

How many vitamins does VITAGUM carry?

VITAGUM carries 12 active vitamins in every chew. It is made in Italy by a manufacturer that specialises in functional confectionery, and launches in two flavours, Sea Mint and Ocean Fruit.

How VITAGUM is built

VITAGUM carries 12 active vitamins per chew, is produced in Italy by a manufacturer specialising in functional confectionery, and is sweetened with real sugar, with no aspartame and no artificial sweeteners. It launches in Sea Mint and Ocean Fruit. Serving guidance is printed on the pack. It is a food product, not a medicine.