Drops vs. Capsules vs. Gummies

Drops are liquid supplements administered using a dropper. Drops can include vitamins, minerals and herbal extracts. Some are designed for sublingual absorption (under the tongue), but most are swallowed and absorbed through the digestive tract. Children’s supplements are often made in drop form, as they’re easier to take and administer. It’s worth noting that not all nutrients remain stable in liquid.

Originally a form of candy, gummies are now a popular category of supplements used to deliver nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and CBD. They are generally made with gelling agents, including gelatin (or natural alternatives such as pectin), sugar, flavorings and colors. 

However, gummies are more prone to degradation from heat and humidity, which can reduce nutrient potency over time.

Capsules are a supplement or medication encased in a cylinder-shaped shell. 

The shell can be hard or soft, and is usually made of gelatin or vegetable-based cellulose. 

Capsules are used for supplements or drugs and made to be swallowed whole. They can also protect sensitive ingredients from stomach acid or oxidation and allow for more accurate dosing than some other forms.

The main differences between drops, gummies and capsules are in their form, delivery and absorption. Drops can be designed for sublingual delivery whereby nutrients are absorbed through the mucous membranes, or they can be swallowed and absorbed through the gut like other oral supplements.
Gummies are chewed and swallowed, and must be processed by the digestive system, which can be inefficient in some people. Gummies also tend to provide a low concentration of nutrients as much of their composition includes fillers. They also may contain added sugars, sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners. 

Liquid and gummy-based supplements tend to be less stable, particularly nutrients such as B vitamins and vitamin C, which degrade quickly when exposed to air or light.¹

Capsules provide a concentrated form of a nutrient that must be swallowed whole. The contents are released when the capsule is broken down in the stomach or intestine, and absorption can be affected by digestive function. Dosing is generally more precise than drops or gummies, and there are fewer fillers.

Multivitamins are most often available as capsules or tablets, as these forms can provide higher concentrations of nutrients and a more reliable and accurate dosage. They do not contain the added sugars or artificial ingredients often used in gummies, and typically provide greater stability.

Multivitamin drops can be a good choice for children and babies, as they are an easy way to improve nutritional intake without chewing or swallowing. However, drops can  be difficult to dose precisely, and may have reduced stability.

Probiotics are best in capsule form, preferably microencapsulated. The microencapsulation process involves trapping the probiotic microorganisms within a matrix of coating or carrier materials. This coating material protects the probiotic contents from being damaged by humidity, heat, pH and other oxidative factors, which enhances their survival.² Enteric coating is also important as probiotics are highly susceptible to gastric acids in the stomach.

Are gummy probiotics as good as capsules?

Probiotic gummies are less likely to be effective as capsules as they are more vulnerable to moisture and air, which can degrade the probiotic bacteria. Gummy products also contain sugar or artificial sweeteners alongside materials that maintain the gummy texture, which means they will have fewer bacteria.

Probiotic drops are a good option for babies, as they can provide small amounts of beneficial bacteria. Probiotic drops for adults are less common, as liquid formulas may degrade more quickly over time compared to freeze-dried forms used in capsules or powders.

Like multivitamins, prenatal supplements are best in capsule or tablet form as this allows for the greatest quantity of nutrients. Capsules also protect the delicate contents from air, moisture and sometimes light, and generally contain fewer fillers or additives than gummies. 
Prenatal gummies or liquids are less common because necessary minerals such as iron and calcium affect flavor and texture, and these nutrients are often not suited to gummy or liquid form.

Magnesium drops and gummies are available, but are less common than capsules or tablets. The most effective magnesium supplements are those comprising bioavailable forms such as magnesium glycinate, citrate or liposomal, which are typically delivered in capsule form to ensure stability and effective dosing. Gummies may not provide sufficient quantities due to limited space and the need for stabilizers.

The formulation of a supplement includes the active ingredient (the nutrient) and excipients, such as fillers that help stabilize the active ingredient/s and help the nutrient to be absorbed in the body. Coatings on tablets or gummies can slow or change how some nutrients are dissolved in the gut, which affects absorption. Other factors that influence bioavailability include the presence of other foods and how much bile the body produces.

Absorption efficiency can also depend on the type of nutrient in the supplement and what form it is in - for example, some forms of magnesium are absorbed more efficiently than others. 

Digestive health and interference with other food in the gut can also affect absorption.

Sublingual formulas generally provide rapid absorption of many nutrients, as the nutrients can enter the circulation via the mucous membranes in the mouth, bypassing the digestive system. Most other supplements, including drops and gummies, are absorbed through the digestive tract. Research has shown that both B12 and glutathione are absorbed more effectively via sublingual dosing; however, nutrients such as  are often more effectively absorbed via the digestive tract. While the digestive tract route is subject to impeding factors such as intestinal barrier dysfunction, food sensitivities, genetic mutations, autoimmune conditions, or medicines,research regarding alternative routes is not yet available.