A study has found that many melatonin gummies, often taken before bedtime to aid sleep, might contain significantly higher amounts of the hormone than stated on their labels.
The research, published as a letter in JAMA, follows a government report from the previous year detailing a spike in excessive pediatric melatonin ingestion over the past decade. The study also warns parents that giving these gummies to children could lead to consuming unpredictable quantities of melatonin.
Researchers from Cambridge Health Alliance and the University of Mississippi tested 25 melatonin supplements and discovered:
- Most products contained 20, 30, or 50 percent more melatonin than indicated on the label, with one containing approximately 2.5 times the listed amount.
- Four products had lower amounts of melatonin than advertised, including one with no detectable hormone levels.
- Of the 25 tested products, 22 were “inaccurately labelled,” defined as having more than 10 percent above or below the amount stated on the label.
- Five products listed cannabidiol (CBD) as an ingredient, all of which had slightly higher levels of CBD than the labels suggested.
As melatonin supplements have become increasingly popular to assist with sleep, their availability to children has also risen. In 2020, melatonin was the substance most frequently cited in calls regarding children to U.S. poison control centers, according to a CDC report on pediatric melatonin ingestions published the previous year.
Pieter Cohen, the study’s lead author and an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, believes that melatonin supplements should be treated more like over-the-counter medications, such as Tylenol and Benadryl, than a comforting bedtime beverage.
However, Steve Mister, the president and CEO of the Council for Responsible Nutrition, a trade group for the dietary supplement industry, argues that consumers should not be alarmed by the study’s findings. He claims that it is not uncommon for companies to add some extra melatonin and that adults should not be concerned about this. Mister accused Cohen’s research of attempting to unnecessarily raise the alarm among consumers, particularly parents, regarding melatonin supplements.
The increase in melatonin supplement consumption and the discrepancies in labelling have raised concerns among health professionals, emphasizing the need for more accurate labelling and stricter regulations.
Cohen suggests that parents and consumers should be more cautious about using melatonin supplements, especially for children, due to the potential for unpredictable hormone ingestion. Health experts recommend consulting a healthcare professional before administering melatonin supplements to children.
In response to the study’s findings, some experts advocate that melatonin supplements be regulated more strictly, similar to over-the-counter medications. This would ensure accurate labelling and consistent dosages and potentially prevent accidental ingestion by children.
Additionally, consumers need to be aware of the potential side effects of melatonin supplements, including drowsiness, dizziness, and headaches. Overconsumption may also disrupt the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle and create a dependency on the supplement for sleep.
In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of accurate labelling and increased awareness of melatonin supplement consumption, particularly for children. The call for stricter regulation of these supplements may lead to safer use and a better understanding of their effects. As with any supplement or medication, it is crucial to consult a healthcare professional before introducing melatonin supplements into a daily routine, especially for children.
