What is an HPMC Capsule?

HPMC stands for hydroxypropyl methylcellulose or hypromellose for short. HPMC is the material from which most supplement capsules are made. It is a clear, tasteless, vegetarian and vegan appropriate material. It is normally made by extraction from wood pulp.

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Of course, there are plenty of other materials that supplement capsules can be made from. HPMC is by far the most common, but bovine gelatine capsules are still used occasionally, or there are more unusual options, such as pullulan, which is made from a tapioca extract.

Once upon a time, almost all vitamin capsules were made from bovine gelatin. As vegetarianism and sustainability became more popular, market trends moved away from gelatin based capsules. Today most supplement products in the UK and European market would be made from HPMC. Bovine gelatin tends to only be used in very lost cost products, or products where it would not matter that it is not vegetarian, such as a collagen capsule.

Why do we use HPMC capsules?

G&G favors the use of HPMC capsules as they allow us to manufacture supplements without additives like magnesium stearate. Manufacturing tablets requires glue, binders, fillers, and coating. With an HPMC capsule you can fill it with just the active ingredient, and thus minimize the number of additional ingredients required.

HPMC is vegan and vegetarian friendly. Nobody really wants to swallow a capsule made from boiled cow bones if they have a choice, so gelatin capsules have become unpopular with educated consumers. HPMC has no natural taste, smell or colour, although many capsules will have colours added. Most people find HPMC easy to swallow. It also dissolves in the stomach quite quickly, often in just 5-10 minutes. Bovine gelatin capsules take longer to dissolve at more like 20 minutes. Tablets can take hours to dissolve completely. This makes HPMC capsules an ideal delivery method for most supplements, where we want the powdered vitamin or mineral content to arrive quickly and comfortably into the users stomach.

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European law allows for the use of HPMC capsules in the manufacture of organic product, where exceptions are not made for other shell materials. HPMC is not as cheap to buy as gelatin capsules, but is relatively inexpensive.

Are HPMC Capsules Natural?

The HPMC capsule itself is made from a wood source, so is often described as natural. Of course the contents of the capsules you buy may or may not be from a natural source, but the shell itself will be.

Where the HPMC capsule has been coated with a colour, the coating may well be synthetic. Titanium dioxide is commonly used to colour capsules, and this synthetic colourant has some associated health risks and warnings. It is possible to naturally colour capsules, but only in certain colours. Shades of green can be achieved with a coating of chlorophyll, and a purple capsule shell is available using a purple carrot extract.

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Versatile and Multi-functional: One of the key benefits of HPMC powder is its versatility and multi-functionality. It can be used as a thickening agent, emulsifier, binder, film-former, and more. This makes it a valuable ingredient in a wide range of products such as tablets, ointments, shampoos, and paints.

Improves Product Stability: HPMC powder has excellent water retention properties which help to improve the stability of products. It can prevent ingredients from separating or settling at the bottom of a product, ensuring consistency and prolonging shelf life.

Enhances Texture and Appearance: Due to its ability to form gels or films when mixed with water, HPMC powder can improve the texture and appearance of products. For example, it can create a smooth and creamy texture in lotions or provide a glossy finish on tablets.

Resistant to Enzymatic Degradation: Unlike other types of cellulose derivatives, HPMC powder is resistant to enzymatic degradation in acidic environments. This means that it can maintain its properties even when exposed to low pH levels, making it suitable for use in acidic products like fruit juices or pickles.

Cost-effective: Compared to other thickening agents or stabilizers on the market, HPMC powder is relatively cost-effective. This makes it a popular choice for manufacturers looking to reduce production costs without compromising on the quality of their products.

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