The LURA team
Scientific documentation
FORMAT COMPARISON
Sachet vs Capsules: Which supplement format is better?
Most supplements come in capsules. But more and more brands are switching to sachets (powdered formulas to dissolve). Is there a real difference in absorption, or is it just marketing? Here are the facts.
TL;DR
Sachets are better for water-soluble ingredients (minerals, B vitamins, amino acids) — faster absorption, higher dose per serving, gentler on the stomach. Capsules are better for fat-soluble ingredients (vitamin D, omega-3), probiotics, and when travel convenience is a priority. Neither format is universally "better" — it depends on the ingredient.
The two formats in numbers
Sachet (powder formula)
- Absorption: 15-30 min. (already dissolved)
- Dose: up to 6g+ active ingredients per serving
- Stomach: gentler (diluted concentration)
- Habit: one sachet before bed, easy to keep
- Requires a cup + water
- More expensive to produce = higher price
Capsules
- Convenience: swallow and done, anywhere
- No taste: perfect for bitter ingredients
- Acid-resistant coating: protects probiotics
- Cheaper to produce and for consumers
- Max. ~500 mg per capsule (low dose)
- Slower absorption (shell + breakdown)
The science behind absorption
When you swallow a capsule, it goes through 3 stages before the contents reach your bloodstream:
Shell breakdown in the stomach
15-30 min.
Dissolving the contents
10-20 min.
Absorption through the small intestine
15-45 min.
With a sachet/powder formula, stages 1 and 2 are eliminated — the ingredient is already dissolved. The stomach receives a ready solution and absorption begins immediately.
This is especially important for supplements taken before bed. A 30-minute difference can mean the L-theanine is already absorbed by 10:15 PM instead of 10:45 PM.
Important note
Faster absorption doesn't always mean "better". For some ingredients (e.g. iron, caffeine), slow release is an advantage — it reduces side effects. Context determines which format is right.
The math of dosage
A standard capsule (size 0) holds ~500 mg of powder. A large capsule (size 00) — ~735 mg. This is a physical limitation.
Example: Corti-Glow in capsules?
The Corti-Glow formula combines high-dose actives in a 6.56 g sachet. If you "packed" it into capsules:
12
capsules (size 0)
8
capsules (size 00)
8-12 capsules per evening. Most people would quit by day two.
That's why multi-ingredient formulas with high doses (L-glycine 2000 mg + myo-inositol 2000 mg + magnesium 670 mg) almost always come as a powder to dissolve, not as capsules. Capsules are physically unable to hold that much.
Full comparison
| Criterion | Sachet | Capsules | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Absorption speed | Dissolved in water — the stomach doesn't need to break down a shell. Ingredients reach the small intestine in 15-30 minutes. | The capsule must dissolve in the stomach (15-30 min.), then the contents release. Total: 30-60 minutes. | Sachet |
| Bioavailability | Higher for water-soluble ingredients (magnesium, vitamin B6, myo-inositol). Already in solution — the stomach absorbs more easily. | Standard. The capsule protects contents from stomach acid, which is an advantage for some ingredients (probiotics, enzymes). | Sachet |
| Dose per serving | Can hold 5-6 grams of active ingredients in 1 sachet. Corti-Glow: 5.4 g of actives in a 6.56 g sachet, 7 active ingredients. | Standard capsule (size 0): ~500 mg. For high-dose formulas = 8-12 capsules. Even with XL capsules (size 00) — minimum 7-8. | Sachet |
| Travel convenience | Requires a cup and water. Bulkier than tablets. | Toss in your bag, take with a sip of water. Maximum portability. | Capsules |
| Taste | Can be pleasant (forest fruits) or unpleasant (depends on ingredients and formulation). | No taste — swallowed directly. An advantage if the ingredient is bitter (e.g. ashwagandha). | Depends |
| Stomach comfort | Dissolved ingredients are gentler on the stomach. Less concentrated impact. | Concentrated contents can irritate the stomach lining, especially on an empty stomach. | Sachet |
| Shelf life | Individual packaging protects from moisture and oxidation. Typically 18-24 months. | A bottle with many capsules — each opening lets in air and moisture. Desiccant helps, but not completely. | Sachet |
| Price | More expensive to produce (individual packaging, filling machines). Higher cost for the consumer. | Cheaper to produce. Widely available. | Capsules |
| Experience / End-of-day | You dissolve it in a cup, drink slowly — creates a calming moment. A psychological signal for the "end of the day". | Fast and functional. No calming aspect — just swallow and move on. | Sachet |
Sachet
Dissolved in water — the stomach doesn't need to break down a shell. Ingredients reach the small intestine in 15-30 minutes.
Capsules
The capsule must dissolve in the stomach (15-30 min.), then the contents release. Total: 30-60 minutes.
Sachet
Higher for water-soluble ingredients (magnesium, vitamin B6, myo-inositol). Already in solution — the stomach absorbs more easily.
Capsules
Standard. The capsule protects contents from stomach acid, which is an advantage for some ingredients (probiotics, enzymes).
Sachet
Can hold 5-6 grams of active ingredients in 1 sachet. Corti-Glow: 5.4 g of actives in a 6.56 g sachet, 7 active ingredients.
Capsules
Standard capsule (size 0): ~500 mg. For high-dose formulas = 8-12 capsules. Even with XL capsules (size 00) — minimum 7-8.
Sachet
Requires a cup and water. Bulkier than tablets.
Capsules
Toss in your bag, take with a sip of water. Maximum portability.
Sachet
Can be pleasant (forest fruits) or unpleasant (depends on ingredients and formulation).
Capsules
No taste — swallowed directly. An advantage if the ingredient is bitter (e.g. ashwagandha).
Sachet
Dissolved ingredients are gentler on the stomach. Less concentrated impact.
Capsules
Concentrated contents can irritate the stomach lining, especially on an empty stomach.
Sachet
Individual packaging protects from moisture and oxidation. Typically 18-24 months.
Capsules
A bottle with many capsules — each opening lets in air and moisture. Desiccant helps, but not completely.
Sachet
More expensive to produce (individual packaging, filling machines). Higher cost for the consumer.
Capsules
Cheaper to produce. Widely available.
Sachet
You dissolve it in a cup, drink slowly — creates a calming moment. A psychological signal for the "end of the day".
Capsules
Fast and functional. No calming aspect — just swallow and move on.
When capsules are the better choice
Sachets aren't universally better. Capsules win in these situations:
- Fat-soluble vitamins: Vitamin D, E, K, omega-3 fatty acids, CoQ10 — these ingredients absorb better with fats, not water. A softgel capsule with oil is the ideal format.
- Probiotics: Live bacteria must survive stomach acid. A capsule with an acid-resistant coating shields them from stomach acid and carries them to the small intestine. Dissolved in a cup of water — they would die.
- Travel: If you travel constantly and don't have access to a cup, capsules are practically indestructible — in your bag, with a sip of water, done.
- Low doses: If the ingredient is low-dose (1-5 mg vitamin B12, 50 mcg selenium), a capsule is ideal — there's no point in a whole sachet for a few milligrams.
- Bitter ingredients: Turmeric, iron bisglycinate, NAC — have an unbearable taste. A capsule "hides" the flavor.
When sachets are the better choice
- High-dose formulas: When the dose exceeds 2-3 grams (L-glycine + myo-inositol + magnesium), it's physically impossible to fit them into 1-2 capsules.
- Water-soluble ingredients: Magnesium, B-group vitamins, amino acids (L-theanine, glycine) — already dissolved = faster absorption.
- Evening routine: If the goal is sleep and relaxation, a cup with a pleasant taste is a more effective "end of day" signal than swallowing a pill.
- Sensitive stomach: Dissolved powder is gentler than a concentrated capsule, especially for people with stomach reflux.
- Difficulty swallowing: Children, older adults, or simply people who don't like swallowing pills.
Why Corti-Glow is a sachet
The Corti-Glow formula combines 7 active ingredients in one evening sachet. We chose the sachet format for three reasons:
- Physical necessity: High-dose actives (2000mg glycine, 2000mg inositol) = 8-12 capsules. No one wants to swallow 12 capsules every evening.
- Faster absorption before bed: L-theanine and magnesium absorb faster when already in solution — absorption starts within 15-20 min. instead of 40-60 min.
- Evening habit: A cup of cold water + Corti-Glow is a psychological signal for the brain: "the day is over". The act of preparing it is a small pause at the end of the day — something a pill can't give.
The forest fruits flavor was specifically developed to complement the natural taste profile of the formula without added sugar. We use stevia and natural flavorings.
Questions and answers
Does a sachet really absorb faster than capsules?
If sachets are better, why are most supplements in capsules?
When are capsules the better choice?
Corti-Glow is a sachet. Why?
The evening can be different.
Magnesium, ashwagandha and collagen are in stock today. Our own Corti-Glow sachet is still in production.
See what is in stock