When choosing empty capsules, people not only need to make decisions among different manufacturers and capsule sizes but also between two basic materials: gelatin and plant-based options. The most pressing concern for everyone is whether these empty capsules are completely safe, and the answer is affirmative.

Safety of Gelatin Capsules

Gelatin capsules are primarily made from the skin and bones of cattle and pigs, which may raise some concerns. However, they are actually entirely safe for human consumption. Nevertheless, given the diversity of human allergies, some individuals may be allergic to gelatin. Yet, those allergic to gelatin typically also have allergies to other common consumables containing hydrolyzed animal protein, such as cereals, marshmallows, lollipops, cheesecakes, soft drinks, ice cream, yogurt, certain medications, certain cosmetics, and jelly. If you are not allergic to these items, then there is no need to worry about allergic reactions when taking gelatin empty capsules.

In addition to being safe, gelatin capsules offer numerous advantages, making them an excellent choice for capsule production:

#Low Dose Intake

Even if your body is relatively sensitive to gelatin, such as experiencing discomfort after eating jelly, you would need to take a large number of capsules to ingest the amount of gelatin equivalent to one teaspoon of jelly. In other words, when taking capsules normally, the amount of gelatin ingested is extremely small and generally does not cause adverse reactions.

#Excellent Dissolution Rate

Gelatin is an ideal formula for ensuring that supplements can be effectively absorbed by the body. Other materials may experience capsule-ingredient cross-linking when exposed to heat, humidity, or aldehydes, which can affect the release and absorption of supplements. Gelatin, however, does not have such issues.

#Low Cost

From an economic perspective, gelatin is relatively inexpensive. This gives gelatin capsules a price advantage in the market, enabling them to meet the demands of large-scale production and consumption.

#Strong Processability

Gelatin capsules can dissolve perfectly in the stomach, ensuring the release and absorption of the contents. They can also withstand mechanical manufacturing processes without the need for additional ingredients, facilitating large-scale industrial production.

#Good Oxygen Permeability

Compared to some alternatives, gelatin has excellent oxygen permeability, which can better protect the substances inside the capsules from oxidation and extend the product's shelf life.

#Appropriate Water Vapor Permeability

Gelatin performs well in terms of the influence of moisture and steam, effectively preventing adverse effects on the capsules and their contents caused by excessive or insufficient moisture.

Due to these advantages of gelatin capsules, manufacturers can produce capsules of various shapes, sizes, and colors according to market demands, satisfying the consumption needs of a global market expected to reach $4 billion. Moreover, gelatin capsules are highly pure, tasteless, non-genetically modified, completely free of chemicals and gluten, and even most people with some sensitivity to gelatin are not bothered by them.

The Rise of Vegetable Capsules

Although gelatin capsules are a safe and suitable choice for the vast majority of people, there is another option on the market—vegetable capsules. With the enhancement of people's health awareness and the diversification of ethical lifestyle choices, some individuals desire a completely vegetarian and vegan solution.

In the early days, vegetable capsule manufacturers faced significant challenges in finding a completely plant-based or non-animal alternative that could serve as a perfect delivery method for supplements, just like gelatin. This alternative needed to dissolve quickly, be easy to swallow, fill, and store, while also being inexpensive, durable in the commercial market, and meeting the needs of vegetarians, vegans, and those seeking kosher and halal-compatible products.

Ultimately, the answer was cellulose. Gelatin is a simple and pure protein, while cellulose is a carbohydrate that constitutes plant cell walls. Materials like cotton and wood are rich in cellulose. However, the cellulose used in vegetable capsules comes from edible plants, and hydroxypropyl cellulose, in particular, is well-suited for mimicking the reliable structural properties of gelatin, making it an ideal material for producing vegetable capsules.

In conclusion, both gelatin capsules and vegetable capsules have their respective advantages and target user groups. Consumers can choose the appropriate empty capsules based on their own needs and preferences.

Both formulations are available in all of the most common (and uncommon) empty capsules sizes and colors, meaning that no matter where you're coming from, Hongkang Capsule will have you covered every single time.