Do you find it hard to cover all your nutritional needs through diet alone? Whether due to diet restrictions (such as vegetarian or vegan diets) or busy lifestyles, it can be difficult to meet your daily nutritional requirements. This is where incorporating a supplement into your daily routine can support where required.
If it’s been a little while since you’ve taken supplements, you might be interested to know there are several different formats and types of supplements to choose from. While you can still get traditional capsule and tablet supplements, you can also choose from gummies, Smart Melts and powders, which are more convenient formats for those with busy lifestyles.
Read on to learn more about the different types of supplements and how to choose a format to suit your needs.
What are the different types of vitamins?
Vitamins and minerals play a key role in maintaining your overall health and wellbeing. That said, inadequate micronutrient intake is a major challenge to global public health1. While most get what they need from a balanced diet, some nutrients can be harder to cover due to lifestyle factors, dietary choices or limited food availability.
Vitamins typically fall into one of two categories—water-soluble vitamins and fat-soluble vitamins. Fat-soluble vitamins dissolve in fat and are stored in the body, so they’re generally not required every day. Common fat-soluble vitamins include vitamins A, D, E and K. On the other hand, water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water and can’t be stored in the body, so they need to be replenished regularly. These include vitamin C and B group vitamins, including vitamins B12, B9 and B6.
Understanding the different types of supplements
While there are different types of vitamins that each offer their own benefits, there are also various supplement types and formats to suit different preferences. So, if you’re looking for a supplement to support, let’s take a look at some of the main formats.
Gummy supplements
As one of the most popular types of dietary supplements, gummies offer a fun and delicious way to maintain your health without compromising on taste2,3. Gummy supplements typically cover a range of nutritional needs, from supporting immune health and energy production to supporting healthy skin, hair and nails.
Unlike traditional supplement tablets and capsules, gummy supplements are chewable, making them an ideal choice for those on the go and available in a range of tasty flavours.
Smart Melt supplements
Orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs), like Smart Melts, are another simple and convenient supplement format. Smart Melts are designed to dissolve or disintegrate on the tongue, overcoming the need to take your supplements with water4. The rapid absorption of Smart Melts means this format are rapidly absorbed when compared to other traditional types of supplements4.
Like gummy supplements, Smart Melts are available in a range of formulations to target different nutritional needs. They also come in a variety of delicious flavours perfect for on-the-go moments.
Effervescents and powders
Effervescent tablets and powdered supplements are designed to be dissolved in water for drinking5. These types of supplement formats are often suited to people who do not prefer the tablet or capsule format.
Effervescents and powders are typically available in flavoured and unflavoured options to suit different preferences.
Tablet and capsule supplements
Tablets and capsules are typically considered to be the original supplement format.
Tablets are solid, compressed forms of supplements that are either coated or uncoated6, whereas capsules are gelatin or vegetarian-based shells filled with liquid, powder or granules5.
These types of nutritional supplements tend to have a long shelf life and can often accommodate higher doses of vitamins and minerals5,6. While they’re typically more cost-effective than other supplement formats, some people find them difficult to swallow6, which is when other formats may be more suitable.
What is the best form to take vitamins in?
Ultimately, the best supplement format comes down to your personal preferences and lifestyle.
Tablets and capsules are suited to those who prefer more traditional formats and don’t mind swallowing pills. Alternatively, Smart Melts and gummies offer convenience for those with busy lifestyles who need some nutritional support, as they can be taken on the go. They’re also an ideal solution for those who struggle to swallow tablets and capsules.
At Swisse, we offer a range of supplements and formats to suit a variety of nutritional needs. For more information and tips, head to our Wellness Hub or ingredient glossary.
Always read the label and follow the directions for use.
References:
1. Passarelli S, Free CM, Shepon A, Beal T, Batis C, Golden CD. Global estimation of dietary micronutrient inadequacies: a modelling analysis. Lancet Glob Health. 2024 Oct;12(10):e1590-e1599. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(24)00276-6. Epub 2024 Aug 29. PMID: 39218000; PMCID: PMC11426101.
2. Tarahi M, Tahmouzi S, Kianiani MR, Ezzati S, Hedayati S, Niakousari M. Current Innovations in the Development of Functional Gummy Candies. Foods. 2023;13(1):76. Published 2023 Dec 25. doi:10.3390/foods13010076
3. Roudbari M, Barzegar M, Sahari MA, Gavlighi HA. Formulation of functional gummy candies containing natural antioxidants and stevia. Heliyon. 2024;10(11):e31581. Published 2024 May 22. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31581
4. Ghourichay MP, Kiaie SH, Nokhodchi A, Javadzadeh Y. Formulation and Quality Control of Orally Disintegrating Tablets (ODTs): Recent Advances and Perspectives. Biomed Res Int. 2021;2021:6618934. Published 2021 Dec 24. doi:10.1155/2021/6618934
5. National Library of Medicine. Using Medication: Oral Medications [Internet]. Nih.gov. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2017. Updated 2021 Aug 24. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK361020/
6. Ubhe, Tejaswi & Subscription, Cr. (2020). A Brief Overview on Tablet and It's Types. 1. 21-31.
