What You May Not Know About Empty Gelatin Capsules

Walking into a pharmacy, you can see rows of colorful capsules on the shelves. So, have you ever wondered what happens when these capsules are empty? Sure, they can hold medicine, but is that all? 

As it turns out, these little empty capsules hold amazing potential to put anyone in control of their healthy life. From customizing your vitamin mix to conquering bitterness, empty gelatin capsules could be the secret weapon you never expected.

What Are Empty Gelatin Capsules?

About this question, it's quite simple to explain. Empty gelatin capsules are exactly what they sound like - small hollow containers made of gelatin. And gelatin is a protein derived from animal collagen. These capsules come in various sizes and can be clear or even colored.

Unlike the capsules you find in the pharmacy shelves filled with medication, these capsules are sold empty. This means they do not contain any drugs or supplements on their own.

Do Empty Gelatin Capsules Come in Different Sizes?

Of course, empty gelatin capsules come in many different sizes.You can think of them as little outfits for your supplements. They come in various sizes, kind of like clothes for toddlers to adults.

The largest size is called 000 and is like a big coat to hold a large amount of powder. It can contain a full gram (about 1000mg) of the stuff! Then count down (like a dress size) to size 5, which is the tiniest and perfect for spreading a small pinch of powder, about 60mg or so.

If you don't quite get it, the size chart below will surely help you.

That's all you need to know about the sizes of empty gelatin capsules. But just remember, the range of capsule sizes in the above size chart is just a reference value. Different manufacturers may produce slightly different capsules.

What Are Empty Gelatin Capsules Used for?

Well, I suppose you already figured out the sizes of empty gelatin capsules. But what exactly are these little capsules used for? Empty gelatin capsules don’t just hold medication. They offer many surprising benefits that can even transform your health and wellness routine. Let’s find out!

1. Mask Unpleasant Tastes

For many people, the biggest obstacle to powdered supplements is their unpleasant taste. Empty gelatin capsules act as a flavor shield that effectively masks the bitter taste of the powder. That can make your intake of supplements more enjoyable.

2. Make Your Own Supplements

With empty capsules, people can make their own personalized supplements as they like. All you need to do is mix the desired supplement powder into a empty capsule. And then adjust the dosage to your specific needs. This not only simplifies your daily routine, but also makes you more targeted with your nutrition.

3. Travel-Friendly Convenience

Empty gelatin capsules are the perfect solution for on-the-go healthcare. Before your trip, you can pre-fill empty capsules with your daily supplements and pack them in your bag. So, you don’t have to carry bulky containers of supplements, and can get a much easier trip.

4. Ensure Precise Dosage

Sometimes, it can be hard to measure the precise dosage of certain medications at home. However, if you have empty capsules, you won’t suffer from this problem. These empty capsules usually have defined capacity, so you can fill them with the required amount of drug powder. This way, you can make sure you get the right dose every time.

5. Creative Applications

Finally, do you know what else you can do with empty gelatin capsules besides pharmaceutical use? They also have a place in the craft world! Crafters use them as small containers for glitter, beads, and other embellishments. For cooking lovers, empty capsules make it easy to portion out spices for travelling or making single-serving seasoning mixes. They even have use in DIY projects such as eco-friendly seed bombs and flavorings for broths or cocktails.

How to Make Empty Gelatin Capsules?

With all the surprising benefits of empty gelatin capsules, are you curious about how they are made? Actually, the making process of these versatile capsules can be even more interesting.

Step 1 - Choose your gelatin source

We all know gelatin is the main ingredient in making empty capsules. Basically, it is a protein extracted from animal collagen. And yet, there are many different sources of gelatin. Capsule manufacturers often choose to get their gelatin from cows or pigs. But now, vegan alternatives are also getting popular.

Step 2 - Make your gelatin solution

Next, dissolve the selected gelatin in hot water and make a concentrated solution. In this step, you must strictly control the ratio of water to gelatin. So you can ensure the final capsule get the desired consistency and strength.

Step 3 - Add plasticisers (optional)

At this stage, some manufacturers may add plasticisers in their gelatin solution. This is to make the final capsules more flexible and reduce their bitter tastes.

Step 4 -  Mould the capsule shape

Next, a special machine is used to dip rows of metal pins into the gelatin solution. This gives the pins a thin coating. The gelatine-coated pins then move to a special mould shaped like two hemispheres - one for the capsule body and the other for the capsule cap. Think of it like a little biscuit cutter that presses the gelatin into these shapes.

Step 5 - Drying and joining

After molding, the capsules enter a controlled environment for drying. This ensures they dry evenly and keep their perfect shape. Once dry, the capsule body and capsule cap join together to form the final empty gelatin capsule.

Step 6 - Check your capsules

Before hitting the shelves, these capsules should undergo rigorous quality control checks for any defects in size, shape, or consistency. Always remember, only flawless capsules can move forward.

Step 7 - Sorting and shipping

At last, sort the finished capsules by size and quantity, then pack and ship them for use.

Final Takeaways

Empty gelatin capsules are more than just pill holders. They're can be a game-changer for anyone looking to take charge of their health routine.

Ready to explore the possibilities? We've got even more information to help you get started. Here are some additional resources:

• How To Make Your Own Capsules? (With Or Without A Machine)
• Your Complete Guide to Capsule Bottle Size Charts
• Soft Capsule Sizes: Find the Right Fit for Your Market
• Capsules vs Tablets in Medicine: Which Is Better?