Is alive women's gummy vitamins Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look past the marketing and dive into the chemical composition. When analyzing the Alive Women's Gummy formula, we find a mix of standard vitamins and gummy binders. The primary concern for vegans isn't the vitamins themselves, but the excipients—the inactive ingredients that hold the gummy together.

First, let's look at the gelling agent. Unlike many gummies that use gelatin (derived from animal collagen), this product uses pectin. Pectin is a polysaccharide found in the cell walls of plants, specifically citrus fruits. This is a great sign for vegans, as it provides that chewy texture without animal products.

However, the verdict flags natural flavor. This is a common ingredient that can be derived from both plant and animal sources. While it is most likely fruit-derived in a fruit-flavored gummy, manufacturers are not required to disclose the source. For strict ethical vegans, this lack of transparency is a significant concern.

Finally, we must address vegetable oil (palm and coconut). While these are plants, palm oil is highly controversial in the vegan community due to massive deforestation and the destruction of animal habitats (specifically orangutans) during its production. Many vegans avoid palm oil entirely on ethical grounds.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, these gummies are designed to be a treat-like supplement. The label indicates that two gummies contain 4g of added sugars. While this isn't massive, it accounts for 8% of the daily value based on a 2,000-calorie diet. For a supplement, that is a relatively high sugar load compared to a pill.

The calorie count is low (likely under 20 calories for the serving), so it won't break your diet. However, the inclusion of glucose syrup and sucrose means these are essentially candy. Nutritionally, they provide a solid dose of B-Vitamins and Vitamin D, but they should be viewed as a supplement, not a health food.