Softgels have a great use case when it comes to pharmaceutical and dietary supplement dosing. You can easily opt for softgels containing omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins (A, D, E & K), herbal extracts, multivitamins, and even multiple minerals.
Plus, since vegan culture is quite prevalent now, companies have started ditching traditional gelatin-based capsules, which are made from animal products, for herbally made softgels using things like tapioca starch.
Vegan softgel manufacturers are reshaping how we consume our everyday essentials, and this article will cover it in full detail. So if you are curious about why suddenly everything is coming in softgel form, this article is worth the read.
Vegan softgels are quickly replacing traditional gelatin-based capsules and softgels. The problem with gelatin is that it comes from animal collagen, to which many people have started opposing, citing animal concerns of animal cruelty and a preference for a plant-based diet.
That’s why vegan softgels are much more prevalent now; they are made using materials like tapioca starch or carrageenan extracted from seaweed or other such green sources. So instead of gelatin, which comes from animal skin and bones, vegan softgels are made using natural plant sources without compromising on their easy-to-swallow format.
Another benefit of vegan softgels is that they are made from non-GMO ingredients and don’t have gluten or added sugars. So yeah, vegan softgels are plant-based and perfect for those who have regular and religious dietary restrictions.
If you look at the number of vegan softgels being sold globally, it tells a very compelling story. As per the latest reports, the global vegan softgel capsule market is expected to reach around 1 billion USD valuation by the year 2033.
That’s an almost 6% CAGR for the next 5 to 7 years, so that is one of the major reasons why every supplement company is crazy about vegan softgels. Some new consumer behavior studies show that more than 60% of consumers globally now tend to opt for plant-based dietary supplements, and out of these, a major portion actively seek out vegan softgels. So on a broader level, there’s been a swift change in human dietary preferences globally with a heavy inclination toward natural plant-based derivatives.
People are simply more conscious about what they are putting in their bodies now. A major reason behind this shift is that everyone is now getting more aware of environmental concerns and animal welfare.
Hence, everyone now wants products that align with their social and emotional values. The supplement brands have been able to capture this by offering plant-based vegan softgels to deliver essential nutrients to the body.
While most people point out the ethical point behind the surge in vegan softgels, there’s more to it. Plant-based consumables often have quite a low environmental impact compared to animal-derived gelatin.
This leads to a reduction in overall carbon footprint, which can be a deciding factor for environmentally conscious consumers who want to leave a positive impact on the planet. The pickup of the clean label movement has also played a major role in making vegan softgels mainstream.
This allows brands to deliver products that appeal to customers who are looking for natural and transparent formulations with no fluff and just clean, minimal ingredients without synthetic additives for color, smell, and taste.
Consumers can now be sure of what they are putting in their bodies just by reading and understanding the label properly. Also, the risk of contamination is much less as compared to gelatine-based products, as there are no animals or such live matter involved in the manufacturing of vegan softgels.
Demand for vegan softgels has forced manufacturers to innovate and improve their manufacturing process. Unlike gelatin capsules, vegan softgels require advanced technology and machines to deliver a high-quality experience.
New research has now led to the creation of flavored chewable vegan softgels, which are more appealing to both kids and the elderly, hence allowing companies to broaden their target demographics.
In simple words, vegan softgels are more accessible and versatile and make the nutrition delivery process easy for everyone. More research is happening in this space, with vegan softgels now being prominently used not just for supplements but also in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.
New pectin-based technology, which was recently announced by IFF, shows promise for broadening the scope of vegan softgels' use cases. Also, the shelf life of supplements is much better with vegan softgels, as they better protect the medicinal components against oxidation, UV light, and moisture.
Some studies also show better dissolvability and digestion as compared to other forms of softgels. However, making vegan softgels still remains an expensive process as compared to gelatine capsules, so some manufacturers are still hesitant to shift to it fully.
Not all vegan softgels are the same; the overall quality depends a lot on the manufacturer. That’s why it’s better to stick with reliable and trusted makers like TrustWorks that use in-house proprietary technology to deliver high-quality vegan softgels.
This involves the use of high-quality raw materials like HPMC (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose), tapioca starch, and seaweed-extracted carrageenan. High-quality vegan softgels have many advantages, like better bioavailability, ease of swallowing, quick onset time, and better protection of medicinal compounds from degradation.
You should check before buying if the manufacturer has all the necessary certifications, like GMP and organic clearances.
Vegan softgels are a need of the hour, and they have transformed the whole supplement industry. Brands are now pushing for better extraction methods, reducing carbon footprint, removing animal cruelty from the equation, and adopting clean-label practices.
A high-quality vegan softgel is easy to digest, provides a longer shelf life, and can be easily swallowed by people of all age groups. The market is expanding quickly, and most of the major manufacturers, like TrustWorks, have completely shifted from gelatin-based capsules to vegan softgels. The future for this approach is bright with continuous growth in versatile applications among different industries.
