Capsules
Browse supplements in capsule form: vegetarian HPMC, plant-based pullulan and classic gelatin shells. We explain how capsules differ from tablets, when a capsule suits you better and how to take them comfortably.Read more →
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How capsules differ from tablets, softgels and powders
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.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is a capsule supplement?
A capsule is a small shell made of two halves that fit together. Inside sits a dry filling: powder, granules or tiny beads of a vitamin, mineral, amino acid or plant extract. The shell dissolves in the stomach and releases the contents. Because the filling is not compressed, capsules often carry fewer processing aids than tablets, which is why ingredient lists on capsule products tend to be short.
Are capsules absorbed better than tablets?
A capsule shell usually opens within minutes, while a tablet first has to break apart. So a capsule starts releasing slightly sooner. That is not the same as better absorption. How much your body takes up depends mainly on the form of the ingredient, for example magnesium bisglycinate versus oxide, or folate versus folic acid, and on whether you take it with food. The shell is about comfort and clean formulation, not a shortcut to higher uptake.
Capsule, tablet, softgel or powder: which form should I choose?
It depends on the dose you need and how you like to take things. Small doses fit a capsule; large doses are easier as a tablet or a scoop of loose powder.
| Form | What is inside | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | Powder or granules | Single nutrients, plant extracts |
| Tablet | Pressed powder | Higher doses, multivitamins |
| Softgel | Oil | Omega-3, vitamin D, vitamin E |
| Powder | Loose powder | Creatine, collagen, electrolytes |
Are capsules suitable for vegans and vegetarians?
Only if the shell is plant-based. HPMC shells are made from cellulose and pullulan shells from fermented starch; both are suitable for vegans. Gelatin shells come from beef or pork and are not. The label always states the shell material, and we list it in the product details. If you also follow halal or kosher rules, check the shell first, since that is usually the deciding ingredient rather than the filling.
Can I open a capsule and mix the powder with food?
With most powder-filled capsules, yes. Pull the halves apart and stir the contents through yoghurt, apple sauce or a cold drink. Two exceptions. Acid-resistant and delayed-release capsules should stay closed, because the shell is the part that protects the contents from stomach acid. And some fillings taste bitter or strong, valerian and B vitamins for example, so expect a noticeable taste.
Should I take capsules with food or on an empty stomach?
Fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K are absorbed better with a meal that contains some fat, so a capsule with lunch or dinner is sensible. Water-soluble vitamins such as C and the B group can be taken at any time. Iron and zinc are gentler on the stomach with food, though they compete with each other, so spread them across the day. If a label gives a timing instruction, follow that first.
Why does one product need three capsules a day and another only one?
Fill volume. A capsule holds a fixed amount of powder, so a nutrient you need in gram amounts, such as vitamin C, magnesium or glucosamine, simply does not fit in one capsule. Brands then split the daily dose across two or three. A single capsule product usually contains a nutrient dosed in micrograms or a few hundred milligrams, like vitamin D3 or zinc. Always compare products on the amount per day.
How should I store capsules and how long do they stay good?
Keep them in the original container, closed, dry and at room temperature, away from direct sunlight. Bathroom cabinets are the worst spot: humidity makes gelatin shells soft and sticky, and can make HPMC shells brittle so they crack. Leave the desiccant sachet in the bottle. Use the best-before date as your guide and finish an opened bottle within a few months, since oils and plant extracts lose strength over time.
