Innovations in Delivery Formats: Beyond Pills and Capsules

Introduction

Traditional capsules and tablets have long been the standard for dietary supplements—but today’s wellness consumers are craving more functional, flavorful, and user-friendly experiences.
From chewable gummies to effervescent powders and stick packs, innovative supplement delivery formats are transforming how people engage with health and wellness products.
At Champion, we help nutraceutical brands lead this evolution with customized delivery systems designed for compliance, appeal, and performance.
 

Why Delivery Format Matters

Modern consumers don’t just buy supplements for what they do—they also care about how they fit into daily life. According to a 2024 FMCG Gurus survey:

• 63% of consumers say convenience influences supplement choice
• 54% prefer non-pill formats due to pill fatigue
• 70% of millennials and Gen Z favor fun, flavorful formats like gummies or drinks

Form matters—and innovation is now a necessity.
 

Emerging Supplement Delivery Formats: A Breakdown

1. 🍬 Functional Gummies

What They Are: Chewable supplements infused with active ingredients such as vitamins, collagen, adaptogens, or probiotics.
Why They Work:

• Highly palatable and enjoyable
• Ideal for kids, seniors, and pill-averse adults
• Great for beauty, immune, and multivitamin SKUs

Champion Advantage: We offer custom gummy formulations using clean-label sweeteners, natural flavors, and science-backed actives.
 

2. 💧 Effervescent Tablets

What They Are: Dissolvable tablets that release nutrients in water, creating flavorful, functional drinks.
Why They Work:

• Fast absorption
• Great for hydration, energy, or electrolyte support
• Offers a “ritual” experience with visible fizz and taste

Use Case Examples:

• Vitamin C + zinc immunity drinks
• Adaptogenic calming blends
• Digestive support formulas

 

3. 🥄 Dissolvable Stick Packs & Powders

What They Are: Single-serve powder sachets that dissolve in liquid or are consumed directly.
Why They Work:

• Convenient for travel and on-the-go use
• Supports higher-dose formulations
• Allows easy mix with smoothies, water, or coffee

Popular Applications:

• Collagen peptides
• Greens and superfood blends
• Brain and energy boosters

4. 🧴 Liquid Supplements

What They Are: Nutrient-dense liquid extracts or elixirs offering fast absorption and often enhanced bioavailability.
Why They Work:

• Ideal for high-potency or multi-ingredient formulas
• Easily combined with herbal or botanical infusions
• Great for children’s vitamins or beauty shots

5. 🌿 Soft Chews & Jellies

What They Are: Soft-textured formats similar to gummies, but often with higher actives and fewer sugars.
Why They Work:

• Allows dual or triple-action blends
• Consumer-friendly for therapeutic dosing
• Unique mouthfeel = brand differentiation

 

Champion’s Delivery System Capabilities

Champion empowers brands with advanced delivery solutions tailored to your market and audience:

• ✅ Custom formulations for gummies, powders, effervescent tablets, and more
• ✅ Bioavailability optimization through advanced processing techniques
• ✅ Clean-label, non-GMO, sugar-free, and vegan options
• ✅ Flavor masking and texture customization
• ✅ Turnkey development and manufacturing under ISO, FSSC 22000, and HACCP certifications

 

Choosing the Right Format: What to Consider

When developing new supplement products, consider these key factors:
🎯 Target Demographic

• Kids? → Gummies or liquids
• Athletes? → Stick packs and drinks
• Seniors? → Easy-to-digest powders or soft chews

📊 Dose & Stability

• High-dose ingredients may require powders
• Moisture-sensitive actives suit stick packs or effervescent tablets

🧠 Use Case

• Beauty-from-within → Gummies
• Sleep & stress → Functional beverages
• Metabolic support → Stick packs with multiple actives

 

Functional Supplement Examples by Champion

Delivery Format	Example Product Concepts
Gummies	Biotin + Collagen for skin & hair
Effervescent	Magnesium + B-complex for mood balance
Stick Pack	Green tea + L-theanine energy boost
Soft Chews	Zinc + Elderberry immune defense
Liquid	Herbal adaptogen tincture for stress

 

Summary: Innovate Beyond Pills

The future of supplements is format-flexible, lifestyle-integrated, and sensory-driven. To remain competitive, brands must explore alternative delivery systems that drive compliance, boost efficacy, and resonate with modern consumer habits.
At Champion, we combine scientific insight with formulation expertise to help your brand deliver supplements in formats that consumers love—and trust.
📩 Let’s innovate together.
Contact Champion today to create delivery formats that go beyond pills—and beyond expectations.