Anyone that’s tried a vitamin supplement has seen the different forms they come in, from liquid to chewables to capsules. With so many options, it’s natural to have a lot of questions. 

Which one’s the best choice for you? What are the benefits of a multivitamin tablet vs capsule? Is there a right answer?

The truth is that there are no right answers. Every vitamin format has its pros and cons. 

Today we’ll cover multiple forms of supplements and the advantages and disadvantages of each, so you know which format is right for you. Let’s start with chewable vs liquid vitamins. 

When you hear ‘chewable vitamins,’ you probably think of gummies. However, there are chewable tablets, too. 

Chewables are a good option for people that have trouble swallowing or those who often experience heartburn or nausea (1). Because you chew them before swallowing, they’re usually easier on the stomach than pills or capsules, and they tend to absorb better.

Every vitamin you take, no matter its form, is turned into a liquid by your body. When you swallow an already chewed tablet mixed with saliva, your body processes it more easily. 

For that same reason, liquid supplements are great for maximizing absorption. When you use a liquid or liquid sublingual supplement, you’re helping your body absorb nutrients. 

You also avoid a lot of common problems with pills or capsules. Many swallowable supplements break apart before they’re supposed to or don’t break apart at all, negating the action of taking a supplement (2). 

Liquid vitamin and mineral supplements are easy to take, especially for young children and older adults. If you have several people in your household, you can ensure that everyone gets the nutrients they need. 

Everyone in your home can take the same liquid supplements. All you have to do is vary the dose, meaning a liquid multivitamin for adults can be given to children as well. 

Liquid Vitamins and Minerals

Liquid vitamins and minerals have a lot of benefits. They’re often the best choice for supplements, especially for whole households. 

There are a few liquid vitamins for adults that are already popular. If you’re interested in beauty, you’ve probably seen a ‘liquid biotin before and after’ video at some point. 

You don’t need to find a specific liquid supplement for the results you want. Whether you’re looking for biotin, also known as vitamin B-7, or the best liquid vitamins for immune system strength, you can get everything you need from a great liquid multivitamin. 

Unless you have certain health conditions, a general liquid multivitamin that includes commonly missed nutrients is all you need to support your health, no matter your age. The best liquid vitamins for elderly people and the best liquid vitamins for kids are the same, though with different dosages.

Most Americans miss the same key nutrients, regardless of lifestyle, age, diet, or gender. US Dietary Guidelines list the seven most commonly-missed nutrients: vitamins A, C, and E, magnesium, calcium, potassium, and fiber (3).

As long as your liquid multivitamin contains those ingredients, you’ll have everything you need to live a healthy life. 

Are Liquid Vitamins Better Than Pills

We’ve covered quite a few reasons why liquid vitamins are a great choice for anyone. While there might be a lot of benefits to liquid supplements, many people probably have the question, ‘are liquid vitamins better than pills?’

Like we mentioned before, your body has to turn every vitamin, regardless of its form, into a liquid to process it. For that reason, liquid vitamins make absorption easier. 

Liquid vitamins vs pills absorption rates are quite different. While liquid supplements are already in the form your body needs, that’s not the only reason they’re better for absorption.

A lot of pills and capsules are poorly made. A ConsumerLabs study found that many pills and capsules don’t break apart at all, meaning you aren’t getting any nutrients from them. 

There are a few benefits to pills, as long as you make sure you’re getting a well-made pill that will actually deliver nutrients. Pills are more portable than liquid supplements, especially considering that some liquid vitamins have to be refrigerated. 

Additionally, you can’t have a delayed release with a liquid. If you need to have a delayed release or deliver an intact supplement to your intestines, you’ll have to go with a pill or capsule. 

Otherwise, you’re better off with a liquid supplement. There are a few specific vitamins that people commonly ask if they should be in a liquid or pill form. 

For example, many consumers wonder, ‘is liquid vitamin D better than pills?’ Another common comparison is biotin liquid drops vs pills. 

In both of these cases, the same answer is true. A liquid supplement is easier for your body to absorb, and you don’t run the risk of not getting the vitamin at all. No matter which vitamin you’re talking about, a liquid form is the better choice.

Liquid Vitamins vs Gummy

One of the most popular ways that people of all ages take vitamins is in a gummy format. They might be delicious, but they sacrifice nutrients for flavor.

Many gummy multivitamins fail to meet basic nutritional standards (4). They’re made to taste good, often overlooking vitamins and minerals in favor of flavor.

Because nutrients don’t naturally taste pleasant, companies have to add a lot of sugar and flavoring to their gummies to get a good taste. Then, to make it into a gummy, they add gelatin and cornstarch. 

By the time you have a finished gummy supplement, there are barely any nutrients left. Instead of vitamins and minerals, you have questionable binders, fillers, and flavorings. 

If you’re considering whether you should get liquid vitamins vs gummy ones, the choice is pretty clear. Liquid vitamins avoid the issue of swallowing that people might have, whether they’re young children or elderly people. 

Additionally, you don’t have to worry about your kids getting a hold of the bottle and overdosing on gummies because they taste good (5). While the most likely result of a vitamin overdose is an upset stomach, too much iron can lead to iron toxicity, causing everything from nausea and vomiting to coma and death. 

Vitamin Softgels vs Tablets

If you still prefer to take your supplements in a pill form, you might wonder about the difference between vitamin softgels vs tablets. Though they’re both pills, they have a few differences that might affect which format you choose to take (6).

To showcase the differences between softgels and tablets, let’s look at a specific supplement. Vitamin D is a common vitamin supplement with options for both softgel and tablet forms. We’ll help you find the best choice between vitamin D softgels vs tablets.

Tablets are made by compressing powder ingredients into a solid pill that contains active ingredients and additives. Vitamin D tablets will contain vitamin D, but they will also include additives that help the pills stay together and improve their taste, texture, or appearance.

Ingredients in softgels are encased in an outer shell with the supplement suspended in gelatin or a gelatin-like substance. Vitamin D gel capsules and tablets break apart the same way, with your body dissolving the pill and absorbing the vitamin D into your bloodstream. 

However, the best form of vitamin D for absorption is a softgel capsule. They’re more likely to break down evenly and completely than tablets, and the liquid inside the pill is easier for your body to absorb. 

You don’t need to worry about vitamin D softgels’ side effects. As long as you’re taking the right dosage, you’re unlikely to experience side effects (7). 

To answer the question, ‘how much vitamin D should I take?’ you should consult with your doctor. The label on the bottle will have recommended doses, but to make sure you’re taking the right amount, check with your doctor.

The best vitamin D-3 supplement for you is a softgel capsule or liquid format. They’ll absorb better than a tablet, and you’ll avoid most unnecessary additives. 

Best Multivitamin

When looking for the best multivitamin, you’ll have a lot of options. From tablets to gummies to liquids, every multivitamin on the market claims to be the best. 

The best multivitamin for kids, the best multivitamin for men, and the best multivitamin for women are all the same. As long as your multivitamin is in a liquid format and contains commonly missed nutrients, you’re good to go. 

We’ve covered liquid, tablet, capsule, chewable, and gummy supplements, and liquid always comes out on top. Even if a brand says they have the best multivitamin tablets, you’re better off with a liquid format. 

Liquid supplements have a higher absorption rate, are easier to take, and contain fewer unnecessary additives. Additionally, you can share a single liquid multivitamin with your whole family. All you have to do is vary the dosage according to each person’s age. 

Better Family’s liquid multivitamin is one of the best on the market. With all the vitamins and minerals everyone in your family needs, Better Family’s liquid multivitamin supports health for your entire household.

Rather than using ineffective pills or sugary gummies, choose a liquid supplement. If you’re looking for a place to start, try Better Family’s liquid multivitamin.

Sources

1. Kannall, E. (2018, December 27). What Are the Benefits of Chewable Vitamins? Healthy Eating | SF Gate. https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/benefits-chewable-vitamins-8933.html 
2. ConsumerLab.com. (2018, June 23). Are liquid vitamins better than pills? https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/are-liquid-vitamins-better-than-pills/liquid-vitamins/ 
3. Griffin, M. R. (2007, August 27). Missing Nutrients in Your Food. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/missing-nutrients-in-your-food#1 
4. Complete, C. (2020, June 23). Supplement Forms: Is One Type of Pill Better Than Another? Cooper Complete. https://coopercomplete.com/blog/supplement-forms-is-one-form-better/ 
5. Freeland, M. N. (2018, November 14). My Child Ate Too Many Gummy Vitamins! Here’s What You Should Do. GoodRx. https://www.goodrx.com/blog/my-child-ate-too-many-gummy-vitamins-what-to-do/ 
6. Vandergriendt, C. (2020, February 20). Tablets vs. Capsules: Pros, Cons, and How They Differ. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/capsule-vs-tablet 
7. WebMD. (n.d.). VITAMIN D: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-929/vitamin-d