If you’re a vegan, you’re probably always on the lookout for great multivitamins that you can take to ensure you’re getting everything you need. It’s easy to miss out on vital nutrients when you’re following a plant-based diet, and multivitamins can be a great way to supplement your meals. However, you need to make sure that the multivitamins are vegan!
Unfortunately, Centrum multivitamins are not vegan, as they contain gelatin, which is not suitable for vegans. Gelatin is made from animal body parts, and it provides a gummy-like texture to gummies, capsules, and so on. Gelatin is a common ingredient to look out for if you are vegan, as many products use it.
In this article, we’ll explore why Centrum’s multivitamin tablets aren’t vegan, and look at some alternative products that you may wish to try instead. It’s important to get all your vitamins, so we’ll help you find something suitable!
Why Aren’t Centrum Multivitamins Vegan?
These multivitamin tablets are not vegan because they contain gelatin. This has likely been derived from cows, although it can be got from other animals too. It is taken from collagen, which many animals produce, and it gives the multivitamins a classic, rubbery texture that is appealing to most people.
Unfortunately, it’s something you need to regularly check ingredient lists for, because gelatin is not vegan-friendly, and there’s no way to tell from the product’s taste whether it contains gelatin or not. This is because gelatin is:
- Colorless
- Flavorless
- Odorless
- Translucent
A lot of products contain gelatin, and you should be wary of anything that has a rubber-like texture, especially if it’s a sweet or a vitamin. Although there are ways to get this texture from plants, it is quite challenging, and therefore many companies don’t bother, and simply use the animal-based version instead. This makes their products unsuitable for vegans.
This is quite frustrating for people who would like to take these multivitamins because most of the rest of the ingredients look okay. The product does contain some E numbers, but none of these are concerning. Some E numbers are derived from animal products, but Centrum’s ones seem vegan-friendly.
Why Do Centrum Multivitamins Contain Gelatin?
Many people find that the chewy texture offered by gelatin is very appealing. It is quite challenging to recreate this exact texture using plants, and often involves adding things like seaweed to the mix to replicate the rubbery resistance.
This tends to drive up the price of the product because it’s challenging to make the vegan version, and to keep its costs low, Centrum has opted to use gelatin instead. This is frustrating for vegans because the gelatin isn’t a critical ingredient – it’s purely there to give the multivitamins a different texture.
It seems likely that Centrum’s product could be made without the gelatin, but unfortunately, the manufacturer has opted not to do this.
Which Multivitamins Are Vegan?
There are lots of great options out there for vegans to try, and you might want to check out the offerings of Future Kind, which is a certified vegan supplement brand with lots of different products. Their formulas are fully plant-based and their Essential Vegan Multivitamin might be a good alternative to Centrum’s Multivitamin option.
Furthermore, the company is carbon-neutral, so if you’re looking to spend your money somewhere with good ethics, this is a great product.
Alternatively, consider Wholier’s Multivitamin. The company offers plenty of information about how it sources its ingredients, and the product has been tested by a third party to ensure it’s as good as they say. It’s got a great mix of vitamins, so it could be an ideal option for a vegan.
If you’re looking for an organic supplement, you might want to try out Mykind Organics, which is USDA certified and has no artificial sweeteners, colors, or flavors. It also has no added sugar, so it’s an excellent supplement for the health-conscious vegan.
Another option is Abundant Earth Labs, which is also organic and packed with probiotics and digestive enzymes. Again, it’s third-party tested to make sure it lives up to its claims, and it’s got everything you need in a supplement, making it an excellent choice if you don’t want to be taking multiple tablets every day.
Yuve Vegan Multivitamin Gummies are perfect if you want that chewy texture without throwing animal exploitation into the mix. This is a cruelty-free supplement that’s perfect for the vegan lifestyle.
Finally, if you want to know which vegan multivitamins we think are the best, you’re also free to check out this article where we’ve compiled only the best vegan multivitamins.
Conclusion
Frustratingly, Centrum Multivitamins contain gelatin, which takes them off the table for vegans and even vegetarians. Gelatin is made from collagen, which is found in the bodies of animals. This decidedly non-vegan ingredient appears in a lot of vitamins and gummy sweets, so be aware of it, and opt for vegan-certified brands instead.
Medical Disclaimer: The content on this website is meant to be informative, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The content of our articles is not intended for use in the diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. It’s always best to speak with your doctor or a certified medical professional before making any changes to your lifestyle, diet, exercise routine, or trying a new supplement.
