The answer to this question is not as straightforward as you may think. The source of melatonin matters and some brands of melatonin gummies contain gelatin, which is derived from animal products.
Melatonin itself is usually extracted from animal sources, but there are vegan and synthetic versions of melatonin. In addition, the gummy version usually contains gelatin in the ingredients, but you can find vegan gummy options as well.
Spring Valley claims their melatonin gummies are vegetarian. In fact, they do not use gelatin to make their gummies. However, it is not clear if their source of melatonin is vegan or if any of the other ingredients may not be vegan as well.
In this article, we explore:
- Can Vegans Take Melatonin?
- Vegan Dilemma: Should You Take Medication If It’s Not Vegan?
- What are the ingredients in melatonin gummies?
- Ingredient Breakdown: Spring Valley Melatonin
- The Best Vegan Melatonin Gummies on the Market
- The Bottom Line
1. Can Vegans Take Melatonin?
Melatonin is a hormone that helps regulate sleep that is naturally produced by the body. In a supplement form, it can either be synthetically manufactured or extracted from animal sources.
Melatonin that is naturally produced by the body or synthetically manufactured is vegan-friendly. However, melatonin that is extracted from animals would not be considered vegan.
There are several brands that are producing vegan melatonin and are certified vegan. If you are unsure about the source of your melatonin supplement, you can also contact the manufacturer for more information.
However, if you cannot find a source of vegan melatonin, this does not mean that you should refrain from taking the medication if it has been prescribed to you. This can be dangerous and should always be discussed with a doctor beforehand.
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2. Vegan Dilemma: Should You Take Medication If It’s Not Vegan?
Veganism is a way of living that seeks to exclude – as far as possible and practicable, all forms of exploration of, and cruelty to animals.
Vegans recognize that it is not always possible or practicable to avoid animal use in a non-vegan world.
For example, animal-based medications may be necessary to maintain health. In such cases, vegans should consult with their healthcare providers to make the best choices for their individual circumstances.
Taking animal-based medications does not mean that a person is no longer vegan; rather, it means that they are making the best choice they can in a difficult situation.
It is important to follow your doctor’s instructions when taking medication, as stopping suddenly can be dangerous. If you have concerns about the medication you are taking, such as if it is not vegan, talk to your doctor before making any changes.
They will be able to determine if there are any alternatives that will be as effective for you. It is possible that there are other alternatives that will be just as effective for you and that don’t contain ingredients that you’re allergic to.
If you’re unsure about anything, always err on the side of caution and consult with your doctor.
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3. What are the ingredients in melatonin gummies?
Most melatonin gummies will contain melatonin listed as their medicinal or active ingredient, and then a variety of other non-medicinal ingredients that help with the delivery method, taste, and overall mouthfeel of the product.
Some of the more common non-medicinal ingredients you’ll find in melatonin gummies are glucose syrup, sugar, natural flavors, gelatin, pectin, citric acid, and carnauba wax.
Glucose syrup, sugar, and natural flavors are often added to melatonin gummies to improve the taste.
Gelatin and pectin are both commonly used as binders in medication gummies, as they are effective at binding together the ingredients in a formulation. Gelatin is derived from animal collagen and is therefore not suitable for vegans. Pectin, on the other hand, is a polysaccharide that is derived from plant cell walls and is therefore vegan-friendly.
Citric acid may be used for a variety of reasons, ranging from masking the taste of medication to being a natural preservative to extend the lifetime of the gummies, or even as an aid in absorption.
Carnauba wax is a hard, shiny wax used as a vegan-friendly alternative to beeswax. Carnauba wax is ideal for use in gummies for medication because of its high melting point. This allows the gummies to retain their shape in hot weather and prevents them from melting or sticking together when they come into contact with the body.
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4. Ingredient Breakdown: Spring Valley Melatonin
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Spring Valley Melatonin uses Pectin instead of gelatin and carnauba wax instead of beeswax for their product. They also claim to be vegetarian, which could indicate that their melatonin is synthetic and not animal-derived. However, without confirmation on the source of their melatonin or the natural flavors used, it is not possible to be completely sure that their product is vegan.
Medicinal Ingredients: Melatonin
Other Ingredients: Organic Tapioca Syrup, Organic Sugar, Pectin, Citric Acid, Natural Flavors, Colors Added (Organic Maqui Berry Juice Concentrate), Sodium Citrate, Organic Sunflower Oil, Carnauba Wax.
Organic Tapioca Syrup is used as a thickening agent and can help improve the taste and texture of the gummies.
Organic Sugar is used to add flavor to gummies.
Pectin is a plant-based ingredient that helps to give gummies their chewy texture.
Citric Acid is used as a preservative and can also add tartness or sourness to gummies.
Natural Flavors are added to gummies to give them their desired taste.
Colors Added (Organic Maqui Berry Juice Concentrate) can help give gummies the desired color.
Sodium Citrate is used as a preservative and can also help to control the pH levels of gummies.
Organic Sunflower Oil is used as a carrier oil and can help improve the absorption of other ingredients.
Carnauba Wax is used as a coating agent and can help prevent gummies from sticking together.
5. The Best Vegan Melatonin Gummies on the Market
There are plenty of vegan melatonin products on the market that can help you get a good night’s sleep. Let’s take a look at some of them.
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5.1. Nutra Champs Melatonin Gummies
Nutra Champs Melatonin Gummies are vegan, non-GMO, and made with natural berry flavors. Each gummy contains 5mg of melatonin. Their product is labeled as vegan, leaving no doubt to the consumer.
Medicinal Ingredients: 5mg of Melatonin
Other Ingredients: Non-GMO Glucose Syrup, Sugar, Glucose, Pectin, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Natural Berry Flavors, Vegetable Oil (Contains Carnauba Wax), Purple Carrot Juice Concentrate.
5.2. Nature’s Nutrition Melatonin Gummies
With a very similar formula to Nutra Champ’s product, Nature’s Nutrition Melatonin Gummies are another great option for vegan melatonin gummies made with only natural flavors.
Medicinal Ingredients: 12mg of Melatonin
Other Ingredients: Glucose Syrup, Sugar, Glucose, Pectin, Citric Acid, Natural Raspberry Flavor, Vegetable Oil (Contains Carnauba Wax), Purple Carrot Juice Concentrate.
6. The Bottom Line
Overall, melatonin gummies are not automatically vegan. It depends on the source of the melatonin and other ingredients in the gummy. You can find vegan options if you look for them.
If you’re looking for a vegan melatonin option, we recommend checking out Nutra Champs or Nature’s Nutrition. Both of these brands use natural ingredients and are clear about their product being vegan.