Are Olly Vitamins Actually Healthy? – Health Digest

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Are Olly Vitamins Actually Healthy? – Health Digest

Did you ever wish when you were a kid that eating candy could be healthy? Well, with options ranging from gummy worms to gummy rings, it seems that Olly vitamins might have made your inner kid’s dream come true. Olly is a nutritional supplement brand known for its candy-like vitamins, although with products that aim to improve your skin, sleep, mood, immunity, and gut health, they sell much more than just your typical multivitamin (via Olly).

Olly was founded in San Francisco by Eric Ryan back in 2014, and with its fun designs and innovative way of selling vitamins, it changed the way we all look at the supplements aisle (per Forbes). Furthermore, with supplements designed for kids, men, women, students, and even expecting moms, they have a product to meet just about anyone’s needs (via Olly).

Aside from their signature tasty flavors like Peachy Peach, Blackberry Zen, and Grapefruit Glam among others (per Active), Olly vitamins are affordable and readily available online or at multiple retail stores. Plus, they offer subscription and rewards plans and free shipping in certain orders when you purchase through the company’s website. However, while Olly vitamins claim to improve wellness, you may wonder if they truly live up to their hype, or if they’re nothing more than a well-marketed candy. Read on to discover whether Olly vitamins are actually healthy.

They have multiple quality certifications

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In the world of nutritional supplements, having third-party quality certifications is key to proclaiming a product’s efficacy and safety. This is because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t have the authority to regulate these products before they hit the shelves. Instead, per the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, it is the companies’ responsibility to make sure their products are safe and effective.

In the case of Olly supplements, the company’s website states they are committed to transparency, quality, and safety (via Olly). It also announces that aside from partnering with manufacturers and suppliers that meet their requirements and standards, their products are produced in FDA-certified facilities that comply with the current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) regulations. Furthermore, Olly is NSF- and B Corp-certified.

The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) is an independent certification organization whose mark validates that a product sticks to the required safety guidelines, confirms that the quantity of each ingredient matches what’s listed on the product’s label, and ensures that the product is free of harmful ingredients or contaminants (per the NSF). Regarding B Corp, this certification shows the company’s high social and environmental standards (via B Corp). Lastly, according to their website, Olly is also a member of The Council For Responsible Nutrition (CRN), an association that guarantees that its members comply with federal and state regulations and develop, source, manufacture, and market science-backed dietary supplements (per CRN).

They’re free of artificial ingredients

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Per Olly vitamin’s website, all their products are free of artificial ingredients such as colors, flavors, and sweeteners — which, according to some research, could be detrimental to your health. For instance, per a review published in the journal Environmental Health, human studies have found a link between synthetic food dyes and behavioral disorders in kids, stating that sensitive children are more prone to attention and activity disorders. Similarly, according to a review published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, evidence on the effect of artificial sweeteners in the body suggests that they may impair how your body manages sugar, alter the composition of your gut’s friendly bacteria, and even increase the risk of heart disease. That said, evidence is still mixed.

Moreover, Olly uses non-GMO ingredients, and all their products are gluten-free. This means that they are safe for people following a gluten-free diet for personal or medical reasons, such as those with celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), gluten ataxia, wheat allergy, and inflammatory or autoimmune conditions, per a review published in the journal Nutrients.

They’re tasty and easy to take, but also easy to overeat

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Olly supplements are available in many different and tasty flavors such as Berry Verbena, Tropical Zing, Peach Bellini, and more, which, according to Healthline, may promote their intake by making them more appealing to consumers and ensuring they remember to take their daily dose. In addition, being chewable gummies, Olly vitamins are also great for those who have trouble swallowing pills (per Vitacost). 

Nevertheless, what comes off as Olly vitamins’ greatest perk might also be their biggest downside, seeing that their good taste and ease of swallowing make them easy to overeat, which could lead to vitamin and mineral toxicity — especially of fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K (per Healthline). Unlike water-soluble vitamins, which get flushed out of your body through urine if they’re consumed in excess, fat-soluble vitamins get stored in your fatty tissue and liver and, thus, have a higher risk of toxicity (via Livestrong). Toxicity symptoms vary depending on the vitamin, but some of the most common ones include headache, nausea, and indigestion. To avoid safety issues associated with excessive nutrient intakes, the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academies of Sciences Engineering, and Medicine created a reference value called the tolerable upper intake level (UL), which is defined as the maximum daily intake that’s unlikely to cause adverse health effects (via the National Institutes of Health).

They contain added sugars

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One of their downsides is that Olly vitamins include added sugars. In fact, sugar, glucose syrup, and beet sugar are among the first three to four ingredients listed in some of their gummy supplements (via Olly). Now, if you take a closer look at their nutrition facts, they only provide two grams of added sugars per serving. And while some may argue that two grams is not a significant amount, this can add up when you consider other dietary sources of added sugars that you may be consuming, such as sugary drinks and baked goods. Altogether, these lead to sugar overconsumption and its associated health consequences (via Healthline).

According to a 2016 review published in the journal Nutrients, intake of added sugars has been linked to an increased risk of chronic diseases like obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, type 2 diabetes, liver disease, and cancer. In addition, per the American Heart Association (AHA), too much added sugar can also cause inflammation, cavities, and weight gain. Yet, American adults seem to be doubling or tripling their recommended sugar limit, which is set at 9 teaspoons per day for most men (or about 150 calories) and 6 teaspoons per day (100 calories) for most women (per the AHA).

Sleep vitamins

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Olly offers a number of sleep vitamins that promise to help build a healthy sleep cycle, boost your immune system, and restore your muscles through sleep-promoting compounds like melatonin, L-theanine, and botanicals such as chamomile and lemon balm extracts (via Olly). According to an article published in the British Journal of Pharmacology, melatonin is a well-studied sleep hormone that helps regulate your body’s internal clock. During the day, your melatonin levels plummet. However, they rise again at night when your body increases its production, giving you feelings of fatigue and sleepiness as you approach bedtime. Nevertheless, according to the study, factors such as age and certain diseases and drugs can lead to a reduced melatonin production, resulting in an impaired sleep cycle — which is why melatonin supplements are often needed.

As for the amino acid L-theanine, a review published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition explains that it may support sleep quality by helping to reduce anxiety. Per the review, L-theanine acts by inducing alpha brain waves — the kind your brain produces when you feel calm and relaxed (per Healthline). Nonetheless, while there’s an increasing demand for natural remedies for sleep disturbances, a review published in the journal Integrative Cancer Therapies warns that, while herbal substances like chamomile and lemon balm have a mild sedative and anxiety-reducing effect, there isn’t enough evidence on their long-term safety.

Women’s health vitamins

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Olly women’s health vitamins are centered on improving vaginal and urinary health (via Olly). Their Happy Hoo-Ha blend claims to balance your vaginal acidity or pH levels through a mix of vagina-friendly probiotics — live microorganisms that provide numerous health benefits to the host (per Livestrong). According to a 2021 study published in the journal Current Medical Mycology, probiotics may help lower vaginal pH, improve defense barriers against yeast cells to prevent yeast infections, reduce symptoms of yeast infections, and improve the composition of the vagina’s friendly bacteria. Nevertheless, further research, such as this study published in BMC Women’s Health, considers that despite the surge of vaginal probiotic products, evidence on probiotic use for the prevention of vaginal infections is still scarce.

Regarding Olly’s Cleansing Cranberry capsules, they’re designed to boost urinary health through a blend of cranberry extract and vitamin C (via Olly). On the one hand, per a 2020 study published in the journal Molecules, antioxidant compounds in cranberries prevent bacteria from sticking to the cells in your bladder, thus reducing the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs). And on the other hand, a 2017 study published in Nutrients states that higher vitamin C levels boost your immune system and reduce the risk of infection. Additional women’s products from Olly vitamins are meant to reduce cravings, bloating, and mood swings and improve your libido or sex drive.

Kids vitamins

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Olly vitamins are not just designed for adults. The brand also has a number of products designed to improve kids’ overall health, sleep, and mood (via Olly). Just like their adult versions, Olly kids products contain the same blends of ingredients but at lower doses to avoid vitamin and mineral toxicity. For example, while adult sleep gummies pack 100 mg of L-theanine, 3 mg of melatonin, and 17 mg of each botanical extract, the same gummies for kids provide 15 mg of L-theanine, 0.5 mg of melatonin, and 2.5 mg of each botanical extract.

While the American Academy of Pediatrics considers that kids who eat a well-balanced diet do not need to take nutritional supplements. Additionally, a study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health warns that, despite the growing number of supplements targeted at children, there are not many studies that analyze their potential health risks. This is especially concerning considering that there are no tolerable upper intake levels (ULs) defined for specific vitamins for children under eight years old due to a lack of data on their potentially harmful effects.

Multivitamins

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Olly’s multivitamin collection includes gummies designed for women, men, kids, teen girls, and expecting moms (via Olly). They all provide a base blend consisting of different amounts of vitamins A, C, D, E, and B complex. The remaining vitamins vary depending on their target audience to support their specific needs. For instance, their Women’s Multi blend adds biotin and folic acid. The Men’s Multi contains zinc and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), the Kids Multi also contains zinc, and the Teen Girl Multi has biotin, zinc, and calcium. Their Prenatal blend contains folic acid and DHA.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), people take multivitamin supplements to increase their nutrient intake, improve their overall health, and prevent chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease. They are also used to fill nutritional gaps caused by poor nutrition, diseases, medications, and digestive disorders (per Drugs.com). However, some people may experience unwanted side effects like upset stomachs and headaches. Also, it’s important to keep in mind that multivitamins provide nutrients that are naturally found in foods. Thus, research such as this study published in the International Journal of Preventive Medicine notes that the majority of the population might not need to consume them.

Mood boosters

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Whether you need to slow down a bit or want something to help lift your spirits, Olly’s mood support gummies purport to give you just what you need through a blend of vitamins, amino acids, and medicinal herbs (via Olly). The brand’s Goodbye Stress gummies contain the amino acid L-theanine, which has been studied for its stress-relieving effects. According to a study published in the journal Nutrients, L-theanine has been reported to have anti-stress and antidepressant-like activities and has been linked to improved mental state outcomes. The supplement also relies on the anti-anxiety effects of lemon balm extract, which according to a 2022 review published in the journal Molecules has been approved by the European Medicines Agency to relieve mild symptoms of mental stress.

Regarding Olly’s Hello Happy gummies, these provide a mix of vitamin D and saffron extract. Per a 2021 review published in Sleep Medicine Reviews, vitamin D deficiency has been linked to mental and mood disorders such as depression. Furthermore, it has been recently acknowledged that the vitamin plays a role in the production of serotonin — also known as the “feel-good” hormone (per the Cleveland Clinic). As for saffron, the review published in Molecules says that its antioxidants may help reduce symptoms of depression, similar to synthetic antidepressants. However, saffron brings an increased risk of miscarriage in pregnant women.

Beauty vitamins

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Olly’s Beauty From Within gummies are designed to take care of your hair, skin, and nails (via Olly). While each product contains its own blend of ingredients, the ones that stand out across the collection are collagen, hyaluronic acid, biotin, and keratin. Per a 2020 study published in the journal Molecules, taking oral collagen supplements is an effective way to improve your skin’s elasticity and moisture and protect it against ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. In turn, this leads to a reduction in early signs of skin aging such as wrinkles, loose skin, and dryness. Similarly, another study published in Molecules says that hyaluronic acid (an ingredient commonly used in cosmetics) offers anti-aging effects by moisturizing, firming, and rejuvenating your skin, as well as improving wound healing.

As for biotin (or vitamin B7), the NIH explains that its deficiency has been associated with brittle nails, hair loss, and skin problems — which is why it is often present in beauty supplements. Indeed, a 2018 review published in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment confirms that clinical trials have shown that the use of oral biotin may improve multiple nail conditions and some of the most common characteristics of brittle nails, including firmness, hardness, and thickness. Lastly, since keratin is a naturally occurring protein present in your hair, skin, and nails, it is also often used to support their overall health. Nevertheless, there isn’t enough research to validate the effectiveness of keratin supplements (per Livestrong).

Gut health vitamins

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While some people need help with bowel movements, others may struggle with constipation or other gut health issues (per Frederick Health). Luckily, Olly’s Gut Health collection has something to support everyone’s digestive health through their different fiber-, prebiotic-, and probiotic-rich gummies (via Olly). On the one hand, fiber’s most widely known benefit is that it helps move things along through your digestive system, thus working to prevent constipation, according to a 2020 study published in the journal Nutrients. Per the study, research has found that adding fiber to the diet leads to significant improvements in symptoms of constipation, such as reducing stool hardness and difficulty in passing stools, and increasing defecation frequency.

On the other hand, pre and probiotics are essential for intestinal health. Per a 2017 study published in the journal Nutrients, probiotics are live strains of microorganisms that confer health benefits to their host, such as supporting and improving the digestive process. In contrast, prebiotics are food components you can’t digest, but that actually feed your gut’s friendly bacteria. The study explains that while both offer a wide range of health benefits on their own, consuming them together enhances their benefits, which ensures a superior effect.

Immunity boosters

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Olly’s immunity support supplements include a variety of gummies and powders designed to give your defense system a boost via active ingredients such as vitamin C, elderberry, and zinc (via Olly). As you’ve probably heard before, vitamin C is an essential nutrient needed for immune health. Per a 2017 review published in the journal Nutrients, among its numerous functions, this vitamin helps improve wound healing to keep microbes from entering your body, promotes microbial killing, enhances antibody levels, and reduces inflammation. Daily vitamin C intake also helps relieve symptoms of the common cold, as well as the duration of respiratory infections.

As for elderberry extract, a study published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine shares that it may also help reduce the severity and duration of flu symptoms. While research attributes the beneficial effect to the extract’s antioxidant content, more studies are still needed to validate its properties. Lastly, per the NIH, zinc is a mineral that plays a key role in immune function. In fact, its deficiency is linked to an increased risk and frequency of infections in children and adults and a delay in wound healing in the elderly.