Benefits of Vitamin and Supplement Powders and Mixes

Has a routine checkup with your healthcare provider office unearthed a vitamin deficiency? As it turns out, you’re probably not alone— research shows women are among the most vulnerable of all groups to develop nutritional deficiencies of several kinds.¹ 

Thanks to hormonal changes (think menstruation, pregnancy, lactation, menopause, etc.)  aging, and other factors, women are uniquely susceptible to certain nutritional deficiencies—more specifically vitamin D, iron, folic acid, vitamin B12, and calcium, to name a few.² For women who are on-the-go, it can be challenging to consume the right amount of these nutrients through diet alone. 

Fortunately, vitamin and supplement powders, tablets and capsules can provide an easy way for women to get the necessary nutrients they need without a huge time investment. The same is true for those supplement powders specifically designed to benefit women’s health—from bone-boosting calcium³ to menopause-symptom supplement powders like Ristela^®, which is designed to support enhanced female arousal and orgasm in women.*   

Check out our new Ristela To-Go Packs – designed to mix easily with water, clinically tested to enhance physical arousal and orgasm in women.*

Let’s take a moment to browse through the differences between supplement and vitamin powders, tablets, and capsules, exploring the pros and cons of each.

Vitamin Capsules vs. Tablets, vs. Powders — What’s the Difference?

Are you considering adding vitamins or supplements to your daily routine to benefit your health? Here’s what you should know about capsule vs. tablet vs. powder delivery formats.

What is a Capsule or Tablet Vitamin or Supplement?

Whether a soft-gel, hard-shell capsule or tablet, this pill-type of format indicates a nutrient is enclosed in an outer shell (capsule) or is solid pill composed of powdered, concentrated ingredients bonded together (tablet).⁴ 

With soft gels, the exterior shell of the pill is designed to break down in the digestive tract, allowing the nutrients inside to release and absorb into the bloodstream. Hard-shell capsules, on the other hand, are usually composed of two halves and can contain liquid or dry ingredients and are designed for extended release. These capsules can be designed to be both quick or delayed release – it comes down to the coating of the capsule. Tablets, which are the most common type of format, are developed by compressing one or more concentrated, powdered ingredients, into a solid, smooth coated pill.⁵

Capsule/Tablet Pros⁶

·         Fast and convenient: Capsules and tablets are a quick, effective way to consume whatever vitamins or supplements you need on-the go.

·         Tasteless: Most capsules and tablets have little to no taste, making them easier to swallow for those with sensitive taste buds.

Capsule/Tablet Cons^7,8

·         Dosage: If you need to take a reduced dosage of something in a capsule format, the dosage can’t be adjusted. It’s more of an all-or-nothing approach to taking a vitamin or supplement. Tablets can, on the other hand, potentially be broken in half if scored.

·         Challenging for those who cannot swallow pills: Since capsules and tablets are swallowed, women who find it difficult to swallow pills may struggle consuming this type of product.

What is a Powdered Vitamin or Supplement?

Powdered vitamins and supplements, along with ready-to-drink and ready-to-mix products, are rising in popularity thanks to their reputation for being easy to consume and how they can seamlessly integrate into liquids.⁹ They are what they sound like—supplements or vitamins ground into powder form which makes them easy to mix into a liquid. Let’s take a look at their pros and cons.

Powdered Vitamin Pros^10,11

·         Fast and convenient: Similar to capsules and tablets, women can easily incorporate powdered, ready to mix vitamins and supplements into their daily routine, either all at once or at intervals throughout the day.

·         Easily integrated into a daily routine: Some powdered vitamins and supplements can pair well with beverages you already enjoy, whether it’s water or a daily coffee, milk, tea, or smoothie. Sometimes they can even be mixed into soft foods. But be sure to read the directions to determine if there are any limitations of what you can mix the formula into.

Powdered Vitamin Cons¹²

·         May have a taste: Some powdered vitamins and supplements may have a taste (which may instead be a “pro” to those who enjoy the flavor!). This can factor into what beverage you choose to mix your supplement into.

·         Varied textures and blendability: Powdered supplements and vitamins vary in texture once blended, with some mixes producing a thicker, chalkier texture and others resulting in a smooth, nearly undetectable finish.

Are Powdered Vitamins Better Than Capsules and Tablets?

So, which is better for you— vitamin and supplement powders or capsules and tablets? According to research, one isn’t necessarily better than the other. Choosing the right vitamin or supplement form for you depends on your needs. If you want a tasteless, quick method of consuming a supplement, capsules and tablets may work best for you. But if you struggle taking pills and you���re after both convenience and enjoyment, you may want to consider a powdered variety. 

It’s also worth mentioning there’s some preliminary research to indicate certain vitamins delivered in liquid form may be both easier to digest and more quickly absorbed compared to capsules.¹³ Considering powdered products are meant to blend effortlessly into liquid forms, this is promising news for the future of powdered supplements.

Are Ready to Mix Vitamin Powders Right for Me?

It’s important to work under the guidance of a trusted healthcare provider before incorporating any new vitamin or supplement into your routine. You may be referred for blood work to check out your vitamin levels before getting the green light on any new supplement regimen. Your healthcare provider can also check that your vitamin or supplement works in agreement with your medical history and/or any current medications you’re on. 

Nutritional deficiencies can be subtle, and a qualified professional can help determine what supplementation, if any, is right for you.¹⁴

Resources:

1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8877546/   
2. https://www.health.harvard.edu/nutrition/the-truth-about-nutrient-deficiencies
3. https://www.everydayhealth.com/womens-health/7-essential-supplements-women/
4. https://www.soft-gel.com/blog/softgels-capsules-tablets-which-is-best/
5. https://www.healthline.com/health/capsule-vs-tablet#capsule
6. https://www.healthline.com/health/capsule-vs-tablet
7. https://www.verywellhealth.com/are-gummy-vitamins-effective-8758583
8. https://www.verywellhealth.com/are-gummy-vitamins-effective-8758583
9. https://www.verywellfit.com/optimal-supplement-forms-7546496
10. https://www.verywellfit.com/optimal-supplement-forms-7546496
11. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/do-powdered-greens-work
12. https://www.verywellfit.com/optimal-supplement-forms-7546496
13. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35534091/
14.  https://www.health.harvard.edu/nutrition/the-truth-about-nutrient-deficiencies