Sep 07, 2022

What's the Best Form of Vitamins — Powders, Pills Or Gummies?

Pills, gummy vitamins and a torn Root'd Her MULTI Bright Strawberry stick pack with powder spilling beside a glass of water

Have you ever opened a bottle of vitamins and wondered what's in your pills or in your gummies? While most vitamins are marketed free from additives aside from the vitamins themselves, this is not always the case. It's common for ingredients like artificial sweeteners, flavors, silicon dioxide, and more to be added to enhance the flavor or texture of a given product. These things can affect how well your body absorbs the vitamins from your supplements.^*

Deciding on the best supplement delivery system might be complex because of the several options available. Although many vitamins and nutritional supplements are available in pills, capsules, gel, and gummy forms, powder supplements have several advantages over other types of supplements.^*

Here's an overview of supplements in different forms and some of the pros and cons associated with them.

Powders vs. pills vs. gummies, at a glance^*

	Pills	Gummies	Powders
Quick absorption^*
No added sugar
Easy to swallow
Low overdose risk

Each form has trade-offs — but powders check the most boxes for quick absorption, no added sugar, and easy daily use.^*

PILL SUPPLEMENTS

Cheap and shelf-stable — but pills are slow to dissolve and can be a chore to swallow.

Vitamin pills and capsules in a hand beside a glass of water on a kitchen counter — Pills are the most familiar form — but it takes about 30 minutes for a tablet to dissolve before absorption can begin.^*

Pills are one of the most common supplement forms. They are inexpensive to make and come in various forms and sizes (as well as chewable versions) to aid in ingestion.

These supplement forms may also include more active ingredients (much more than a liquid, gel, or gummy). This means fewer excipients are required. Excipients are ingredients that do not serve an active nutritional function. They may be included for reasons such as stability, digestibility, manufacturing, or other similar ones.

Pros of pills

Longer shelf-life
Requires fewer excipients
Hides unpleasant tastes

Cons of pills

Low solubility. It takes about 30 minutes for tablets to dissolve.
Uneven disintegration Tablets may break down unevenly, resulting in a reduced absorption rate.^*
Less palatable. Some persons may experience a foul aftertaste due to the tablet's outer covering.

GUMMY VITAMINS

Tasty and easy to chew — but they often hide added sugar, fillers, and less nutrition than the label suggests.

We've all seen a variety of gummies on sale. Whether in the kids' section or down an aisle at Whole Foods. These chewable vitamins are promoted as a delightful way to get your nutrients in, available in various shapes, colors, and flavors to appeal to youngsters and adults who may dislike swallowing pills. Despite the flashy marketing, the issue remains: are gummy vitamins effective?

A few factors influence the answer. The following are some advantages and disadvantages to consider before eating gummies.

Pros of gummy vitamins

More palatable. Gummy vitamins are easy to consume because they come in various flavors and colors, contributing to higher supplement adherence.
Easy to swallow. Gummy vitamins are ideal for picky eaters and those struggling with pill absorption or swallowing.

Cons of gummy vitamins

Extra additives. According to Healthline, gummies may contain food coloring, sugar alcohols, or added sugars, which can have significant side effects.^*
Inadequate nutritional content. Gummy vitamins may have a lower nutritional value than advertised because manufacturers must reduce the essential nutrients to add filler components and preserve a gummy texture.
May impose a risk of overdose. Gummies come in various flavors and are easy to overeat, which can lead to vitamin or mineral toxicity.^*

POWDERED SUPPLEMENTS

Just add water and drink — powders mix in fast, skip the sugar, and start absorbing right away.^*

Person stirring a fruit-flavored vitamin powder into a glass of water at home — A powdered MULTI mixes into a 4 oz glass of water — tasty, refreshing, and easy to digest.^*

As the term suggests, a powdered MULTI is essentially a multivitamin formulated into powder form. Most vitamin powders are fruit-flavored and blended with water to provide a tasty and refreshing drink to go along with your vitamin and mineral intake. Many people find that taking a multivitamin powder form is much easier to digest than taking pills daily.^*

According to a recent national survey, more than 40% of persons in the general population had difficulty swallowing tablets. Thus, people having trouble swallowing these oral drugs may not adhere to their prescribed medication.

More than 40% struggle to swallow pills

0%+

of people have trouble swallowing tablets

0min

it takes a pill to dissolve before absorbing^*

0oz

of water is all a Root'd packet needs^*

For the 40%+ who dread swallowing pills, a fruit-flavored powder you sip is a far easier daily habit.^*

Pros of powdered supplements

Quicker absorption. It only takes adding water to your vitamin powder and then drinking it for your body to begin absorbing the nutrients immediately.^*
Easier consumption. Powders are an excellent option for individuals who dislike swallowing tablets or capsules.
Versatile. Powders can be included in your favorite drinks, whether in water, cocktails, or smoothies.
Inexpensive to transport. According to the National Library of Medicine, powdered MULTIs are lightweight, easy to store and transport, convenient to use, cost-effective, and unlikely to result in overdose.
Can include high amounts of active ingredients

How fast does your body get to work?^*

Pills

~30 min

Gummies

chew & digest

Powder

right away^*

Pills have to dissolve first; a dissolved powder is ready for your body to absorb the moment you drink it.^*

Cons of powdered supplements

Inconvenient for travel. Some sources discussed that powders could be quite a hassle since they usually come in larger containers. However, there are still powdered supplements that are convenient to bring while traveling as they are in packets or sticks. An excellent example is Root'd MULTI, the first ever supplement to combine the essential nutrients of a multivitamin plus the hydration powder of sugar-free electrolytes, which is also a great way to save some space.^*
Inconsistent measurement. Another disadvantage that others complain about powders is the inconsistency of scoop measurement, which may depend on various consumer errors. However, some brands like Root'd have found a way to solve this issue. Root'd MULTI is so convenient to prepare and consume. Just get a packet, pour the powders into a 4 oz glass of water, then drink!

Single-serve vitamin powder stick packet tucked into a bag for travel — Single-serve packets solve the bulk and scoop problem — pre-measured powder you can toss in a bag.^*

Want the easiest form to actually stick with? Meet Root'd MULTI → — a full multivitamin plus sugar-free electrolytes in one daily packet.^*

So, what form of supplement should you choose?

Pick the form that fits your life — if you hate pills and added sugar, a powder is the easy win.^*

When deciding which form is best, consider the one that fits your lifestyle and nutritional needs. If you hate swallowing pills and added sugar or other additives, then powdered supplements may work best for you. If you have a hectic schedule or are always on the go, give Root'd MULTI a try to keep you nourished and hydrated throughout the day without hassle.^*

The three forms, in a nutshell — tap to flip

PillsHover / tap

Cheap and shelf-stable, but slow to dissolve (~30 min) and hard to swallow.^*

GummiesHover / tap

Tasty and easy to chew, but often pack added sugar, fillers and less nutrition.^*

PowdersHover / tap

Mix into water, absorb right away, 0g added sugar, and packet-portable.^*

If you don't like swallowing pills or want to avoid the sugar in gummies, powder supplements like Root'd are the way to go.^*

Root'd MULTI hydrating daily multivitamin drink mix

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