Capsules vs. Gummies vs. Pills Vitamins – What is the best for you?

Capsules and Time-Released Capsules

Capsules are a plastic type feel to them, come in an array of colors. They are made from vegetable or animal sources. Sizes range from most small to uncomfortably big. The main reason for smaller pills is that the active ingredient can be better absorbed in smaller amounts over the course of the day vs. all at one time. Time release capsules have a harder shell. They are designed to bypass stomach acid so its ingredients may be released further down into the intestines. An example of this would be melatonin. Even some are probiotic formulas.

Tablets and Chewable Tablets   

Tablets may hold much more ingredients than a capsule. There is no “shell” controlling its input. Because of this, tablets are more suited for “one a day” consumption. The second side is that many more chemical ingredients must be added to give the tablet stable structure and its form. 

An uncoated tablet has a pretty rough texture and may be difficult to swallow for some. Coated tablets are usually smaller in size. They were come in a variety of colors, smooth on the throat with much easier to swallow. Chewable tablets come in a range of fruity flavors like chewable vitamin C. They are meant to accommodate those who may not swallow pills. By the way some chewable tablets use sugars and artificial flavouring, which may be a turn off for those looking for a cleaner option.

Vitamins

Liquid may not need to break down like a capsule or tablet would; therefore, is the easiest to absorb.

The downside to liquid vitamins is that they are usually more costly. And they do not last as long as their capsule counterparts. Soft gels include liquid suspensions. They are great for masking odor or a bad taste. It also provide protection from oxygen susceptible ingredients. Soft gels are animal based. It is very rare to find one that is vegan derived, although many more are slowly emerging to the market.

Gummies

Gummies are by far the tastiest of vitamins. Carry the least amount of medicinal ingredients by dose. Great for those who may not swallow pills or may have weak teeth. Vitamin gummies for kids and our chewable vitamin C supplement are tasty, fun and easy for parents to administer with no kick back from picky children.

There are some differences between them.

1) Usage

One of the biggest differences between traditional supplements and gummies is how they are taken. For some people, swallowing large pills or capsules may be difficult. 

If that’s your experience, it does not mean you may not enjoy the benefits of dietary herbs and supplements. It just means you will need to find another way to take them. 

Gummies can be a great option for you as they are easy to swallow and chew. They are also perfect for kids because they are tasty and fun. 

And with 231 mg of Elderberry extract and concentrate per serving, they are ideal for helping your kids feel their best, day in and day out.

2) Flavor

Flavor is another key difference between gummies and such as capsules and pills. Because capsules and pills are meant to be swallowed whole, you probably will not taste anything when you take one. 

The delicious flavor of our Gaia Herbs Black Elderberry Adult Daily Gummies comes from real fruit, including Black Elderberry, Acai, Apple, Pomegranate and Goji.

Capsules, Gummies and pills are simply designed with different preferences in mind.

3) Serving Size

Traditional supplements are designed to pack enough herbs, vitamins and minerals into pill or capsule form to meet the recommended daily allowance for the average adult.

Gummies may be a different story. With many of the standard gummies found on the market, a single gummy does not contain enough nutrients to meet the recommended daily allowance.

That said, we recommend reading all labels carefully to make sure you are taking the right amount of gummies to experience the advantages.

4) Precautions

We have mentioned taking enough gummy supplements, but it is also important not to take. Because gummies are delicious, it may be all too easy for a child (or even an adult) to overdo it.  

5) Other Ingredients

Unfortunately, a lot of dietary supplements are full of added ingredients that you had probably rather not ingest day after day.

For example, some gummies can contain extras like:

• Dairy
• Gluten
• Peanuts
• Shellfish
• Corn
• Soy
• Sugar
• Tree nuts
• Yeast