When shopping for CBD gummies, it’s important to remember that they’re not all created equally. To a naïve consumer, it might be assumed that as long as a gummy contains CBD, then it’s going to deliver the desired effects. However, this simply isn’t the case, because there is an enormous number of variables that determine how effective and high-quality a gummy actually is.
At Extract Naturals, we’re enormously proud of our gummy formula that goes above and beyond to be capable of meeting your wellness-related needs and product expectations. We want you to feel empowered to make the right choice when shopping for gummies and other CBD edibles, which is why we’ve created a guide to choosing the best ones based on ten important factors that must be considered.
What are CBD Gummies and How Do They Work?
CBD gummies are a form of edible that contains a hemp extract as its active ingredient. Obviously, the purpose of consuming a CBD gummy is to introduce hemp compounds into the body, which can be used by the endocannabinoid system to regulate bodily processes that need a little bit of a boost. CBD gummies, like all CBD products, are most commonly used by people dealing with stress, pain, sleep troubles and other common complaints.
Gummies are unique in that they offer a delicious flavor that allows us to indulge our sweet tooth while knowing that we are actually doing our body good. They perform best when taken daily, as this supports the endocannabinoid system adequately. Gummies, like all edibles, can be slow to take effect, because it takes a while for them to travel through the digestive tract. It can take up to two hours for the effects of gummies to peak in the system. The effects can be a bit subtle compared to other delivery methods, but they can also last for several hours at a time, which makes them highly desirable among those who wish to maintain cannabinoids in the body throughout the day.
CBD gummies come in a wide array of flavors and milligram strengths. This allows you to choose a formula that suits your unique needs and preferences.
What Should Be Considered Before Purchasing?
Now, let’s talk about the ten most important things to consider when shopping for them.
#1: Organically Grown Hemp
Organically grown hemp is widely considered ideal, because of a few reasons. For one thing, hemp is a highly absorbent plant, meaning it easily takes in elements in its surrounding soil. This can be a good thing if the nutrient level is high, but can be a bad thing if the nutrient is free of toxins and other impurities. Conventionally grown plants are typically grown using pesticides and herbicides that can be toxic to the body. Further, heavy metals can be present in the soil that end up in the hemp itself, which can be just as undesirable due to potential long-term side effects. Organic hemp is therefore clearly the way to go, as one doesn’t have to worry about the risk of toxic substances in their hemp. Further, organic hemp is more likely to retain its chemical stability as it is not exposed to potentially destructive growing ingredients.
#2: Non-GMO
Non-GMO is another important factor to pay attention to. GMO stands for genetically modified organism, which means that the natural, organic product was genetically modified for the benefit of the company or the consumer. The problem is that the ways in which these organisms are genetically modified can contribute to unwanted side effects, while also damaging the chemical integrity of the product. In terms of CBD, GMO practices can make the compounds less stable and less active. This is why non-GMO is the way to go when shopping for CBD products.
#3: Natural Flavoring
Another ideal factor to look for is natural flavoring. Natural flavoring is derived from plant-based sources like fruit extracts, rather than chemical ingredients that provide synthetic flavors. For one thing, natural is always ideal, and if you’re already a hemp enthusiast, chances are that you agree. Further, natural flavoring always tastes better, because it tastes like the real thing. And, natural flavoring can have nutritional benefits, as fruits are naturally rich in an array of vitamins.
#4: Vegan
We believe that a completely plant-based formula is the way to go, which is why our gummies are vegan. Besides the fact that they allow those who follow a vegan lifestyle to enjoy a daily gummy regimen, they also ensure that each ingredient comes from plants that offer unique properties to the overall product.
#5: 3rd Party Testing
Third-party testing is absolutely imperative, as it indicates that the company has high standards of quality, while also supplying you with valuable information regarding the purity and quality of the hemp used by the company. These tests are performed by a third-party, unbiased laboratory, which means that the information that comes back to the company is completely objective.
#6: No Heavy Metals
Heavy metals are a byproduct of certain farming practices as well as particular extraction methods. Heavy metals do not belong in your hemp goods. They can lead to various side effects and can damage the chemical stability of the compounds in the hemp.
#7: No Solvents
Solvents are present in a hemp extract if the hemp was extracted using a solvent-based method. These solvents damage the purity level of the product, and indicate a lower-quality product overall. Solvent extraction methods are cheaper, but not better.
#8: C02 Extracted
The ideal extraction method is the CO2 method, which involves the use of pressurized CO2 that’s run through the plant material. The reason why this method is superior is because it preserves the chemical stability of the hemp while not introducing any impurities into the final product. It’s more costly than other methods, but any company that uses it is clearly dedicated to quality.
#9: High Bioavailability
What is bioavailability? It refers to the ability that the compounds have to absorb fully into the body, rather than being metabolized as waste. Therefore, it’s a crucial component, and it can’t be quantified. This means that you need to make sure that a company follows all of the above-standard methods to ensure that they don’t do anything that could decrease bioavailability, such as using a lower-quality extraction method or using cheap fillers that can disrupt the chemical stability and potency of the formula.
#10: Made in USA
Finally, it’s always good to make sure that your CBD gummies are made in the USA. This goes beyond patriotism. Domestically sourced hemp and other ingredients will be more compliant with national guidelines, while also being easier to trace back to their individual manufacturing facilities.
Gummy Quality Matters More Than You Think!
CBD gummies vary dramatically in terms of quality, as you can see. Use this article as a guide for choosing the perfect formula based on what’s really important. At Extract Naturals, we go above and beyond to make sure that our gummies are superior in every sense of the word.