Capsules

A capsule is a shell in two halves, filled with powder, granules or small beads. The powder does not have to be pressed into shape, so capsules usually need fewer binders and coatings than a tablet. That is the practical reason many people prefer them: a shorter ingredient list and a smooth shell that goes down easily.

The shell decides who a capsule suits

Three shell types cover almost the whole market:

• HPMC: cellulose, a fibre from plants. Vegan, and the most common vegetarian shell.
• Gelatin: made from beef or pork. Flexible and cheap, but not suitable for vegans or vegetarians.
• Pullulan: made from fermented starch. Plant-based and a good barrier against oxygen.

Some capsules are built to resist stomach acid, so the contents are released further along the digestive tract. Probiotics and digestive enzymes often use that type. If you eat plant-based, our shells without gelatin narrow the choice down in one click.

Size and dose go together

Capsules come in fixed sizes. A smaller capsule is easier to swallow but holds less powder, so the same daily dose may need two or three capsules instead of one. Read the label per day, not per capsule. Strong-smelling ingredients such as valerian, garlic and fish powder do come through the shell a little. That is normal and not a sign of poor quality.

How we choose the capsules we stock

We look at three things: the form of the ingredient inside, the dose per capsule, and whether the combination in the formula makes sense. 400 mg of magnesium bisglycinate does not deliver the same amount of magnesium as 400 mg of oxide, so we name the form on every product page. We are brand-neutral: we stock what works, not what pays us most, and after more than ten years we have left plenty of products out. Every capsule passes our compliance team, we test products ourselves and independent labs spot-check batches. Read how we select brands and products.

When a capsule is the right choice, and when it is not

Capsules suit single nutrients, standardised herbal extracts and anything you would rather not taste. They are less practical for very large doses. A capsule of a given length holds less than a pressed tablet, because the powder inside is not compressed. For creatine or a full gram of vitamin C, a tablet or a scoop means less counting.

Oils need a sealed shell of their own. Fish oil, vitamin E and vitamin D dissolved in oil come as oil-filled softgels, not as powder capsules.

If swallowing is the hurdle, most powder-filled capsules can be opened and stirred through yoghurt or apple sauce. Acid-resistant capsules cannot, because opening them removes the reason they exist. Store all capsules dry and at room temperature; a damp bathroom cabinet makes gelatin shells soft and sticky. You will find capsules in nearly every category of our supplement assortment, from vitamin D3 to mushroom extracts. With any daily supplement, give it two to three weeks of consistent use before you judge it.