Winter is officially here; and between all the parents we have on staff, there's always something making the rounds in school (or in our office). Seeing our kids not feeling their best is stressful! We always want them to be at 100%, and to make sure that we’re able to provide the care they need.

Determined to keep our kids healthy this winter, we dove into the world of kids’ immune support vitamins.

We tested the three leading products: Hiya Kids Daily Immune, Emergen-C Kidz Immune+, and Zarbee’s Daily Immune Support; and evaluated them on their evidence-based ingredients, dosage form, and taste. We also enlisted the help of Rachel Rothman (MS, RD, CLEC), pediatric dietitian and mother of two. She’ll explain when and why children need immune support, and the factors and ingredients that actually matter.

One brand stood out as the CLEAR winner - read on to find out which.

Why Kids Need Immune Support

1. Kids are Less Likely to Feel Their Best in the Winter:

During the winter, kids spend even more time indoors, where ickiness you don't want to be passed around can travel more easily.¹ Plus, our bodies actually have a harder time fighting off unwanted invaders in cold weather.¹

2. Their Immune Systems are Still Developing:

“Kids’ immune systems are still developing, so they are more susceptible than adults,” explains Rothman. While adults build up their immune systems over the years, kids regularly encounter unfamiliar troublemakers.

3. They are Exposed to More New Things:

Kids constantly interact with other children at schools and playgrounds - sharing toys and touching surfaces that may harbor yucky stuff you don’t want passed around. This is especially true for younger kids, who tend to explore with their hands and mouths first.²

4. They Aren’t Getting the Nutrients They Need:

According to the NIH, over half of kids have poor-quality diets.³ But even a quality diet may not be enough. According to Rothman, “Important nutrients for high immune system function, like Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Zinc, may not be met with food alone.”

Enter: Immune Support Vitamins.

What to Look for in Kids’ Immune Support

When considering immune support for your child, focus on:

• Ingredients:
  • Vitamin C: this immune support staple stimulates the healing process by promoting the production and function of white blood cells.⁴
  • Vitamin E: an antioxidant that protects the body from free radicals.⁵
  • Zinc: has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that stimulate immune response.⁶
  • Beta Glucans: a functional food ingredient that supports the immune system.⁷
  • Dried yeast fermentate: has proven benefits against a variety of symptoms.⁸
  • Other natural immune-supporting ingredients: things like elderberry extract and fruit powders are often included in supplements as a natural (and tasty) way to support immune function.
• Avoiding Sugar and Artificial Additives: We all know that excess sugar can cause all kinds of health issues, especially in kids. But many brands still add sugar and glucose syrup to vitamins, even though they can be known to actually suppress immune function.⁹

• Form and Taste: “Avoid gummies with added sugar, which can get stuck in kids’ teeth,” says Rothman. Gummies can pose a choking hazard for children under 4.¹⁰ Tablets and powders (that still taste good!) are safer, and are even OK for kids aged 2+.

Immune Support: Hiya, Zarbee’s, and Emergen-C Head-to-Head

So how do Hiya, Emergen-C, and Zarbee’s stack up against each other? Let’s take a look:

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Ingredients - Hiya Wins With The Best Immune Support Formula

Hiya Kids Daily Immune wins with the most comprehensive immune support ingredients and least amount (0g) of sugar. It contains antioxidants like Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Zinc; advanced ingredients like Beta Glucans and dried yeast fermentate to support healing; and natural ingredients like Elderberry and a special immunity fruit blend. “These additional ingredients work together to strengthen kids’ immune health and development,” says Rothman, our pediatric dietitian.

Unlike other products, Hiya is also gluten-free, non-GMO, and vegan, which made it safe to take for all of our TCD kids.

Zarbee’s Daily Immune Support’s blend of Elderberry, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Zinc are good for immune function. However, its 5g of sugar, primarily from glucose syrup, is not something we’re comfortable giving to our kids everyday.

Emergen-C Kidz Immune+, while largely made up of Vitamins B, C, and D, also contains 3-5g of sugar, glucose syrup, and sodium. This high sugar content and added sodium is not our recommended combo for kids’ health or immune support.

Form - Hiya Wins With its Tablet Form

When it comes to the form factor, Hiya comes out on top with its convenient chewable tablet.

Gummies can be a choking hazard for kids under 4 and can get stuck in teeth, a major concern for dental health.^10,11 Chewable tablets are a safer option, especially for younger kids.

Taste - Zarbee’s Takes the Prize With its “Natural Berry” Flavor

Taste is a crucial factor for kids, and Zarbee’s shines with its “Natural Berry” flavor. It was a hit with most of our kid testers.

Hiya was a close second, thanks to its use of natural monk fruit, which sweetens without added sugar. Because it’s not a gummy, our parents could give these tablets to their 2 and 3 year olds – a big win.

Emergen-C falls short here. We’re not sure what happens in the shipping process, but many of  the gummies we received were clumped together, forming a gooey, inedible ball. This is a product we wouldn’t get shipped to us again.

Summary

Which immune support supplement is best for your child?

After our thorough testing and analysis, we recommend one with the best immune support ingredients, zero sugar or additives, and that’s safe for children aged 2 and up - Hiya Kids Daily Immune.

While winter is unpredictable, Hiya’s ingredients provide kids beneficial and evidence-based support to help stay healthy.

Rachel Rothman, our pediatric dietitian, agrees: “Hiya Kids Daily Immune offers great support for kids’ immune health. I love that it comes in tablet form (not a gummy), has no added sugar, and contains proven key nutrients for immune support.”

Ready to try Hiya? With code “TCD”, save 50% on your first order plus get free shipping. Hiya also offers discounts for families with more than one child.

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^{1. Children's Health: Kids Spend More Time Indoors in Winter}

^{2. Medline Plus: Risks of Daycare}

^{3. NIH: Over Half of Kids Have Poor Nutrition}

^{4. Cleveland Clinic: Benefits of Vitamin C}

^{5. NIH: Vitamin E Immune System Benefits}

^{6. NIH: Zinc as a Gatekeeper of Immune Function}

^{7. NIH: Beta-1,3/1,6-D-Glucan Immune System Benefits}

^{8. NIH: Dried Yeast Fermentate Immune System Benefits}

^{9. Piedmont Healthcare: Negative Impacts of Sugar on Immune Function}

^{10. Dr. Julie Wei: Gummies as a Choking Hazard for Young Kids}

^{11. Alpine Dental Health: Gummies and Dental Health}