When it comes to food supplements in capsules, many people wonder whether acidic gastric juices destroy the nutrients before the body can absorb them. But this common misconception is wrong. Capsules, whether they contain vitamins, minerals or hydrolysed collagen, are designed to release their nutrients effectively, even after they have passed through the stomach. Here's a guide to understanding how it all works.
1. The role of gastric juices
Gastric juices play an essential role in digestion. They are mainly composed of hydrochloric acid and enzymes such as pepsin, which break down food, particularly proteins, to transform them into smaller molecules that are easier for the intestine to absorb. Contrary to what you might think, these juices do not destroy nutrients, but facilitate their transformation into absorbable molecules.
The capsules are designed to resist this process. They dissolve gradually under the effect of gastric juices, releasing their active ingredients at the ideal moment for optimal absorption in the small intestine.
2. Dissolution of capsules in the stomach
Capsules are designed to dissolve in the stomach after ingestion. Once dissolved, they release the nutrients they contain, such as vitamins, minerals and even peptides from collagen. These nutrients are then transported to the small intestine, where most of the absorption takes place.
Capsules of probiotics or digestive enzymes, for example, are often encapsulated in a special coating to protect them from gastric juices and ensure that they reach the intestine without being broken down.
3. Absorption in the Small Intestine: The Centre of Digestion
The majority of nutrients, whether from food or food supplements, are absorbed in the small intestine. This is where small molecules, such as hydrolysed collagen peptides or vitamins, pass through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream.
Peptides from hydrolysed collagenfor example, are specially prepared to be smaller and more easily absorbed. Thanks to their small molecular size, they pass directly into the bloodstream after passing through the intestine. Once in the blood, they are transported to target tissues, such as the skin, bones and joints.
4. Collagen Hydrolysis: Optimising Absorption
Hydrolysis is a process that breaks down large collagen molecules into smaller peptides. These peptides are much easier for the intestine to absorb. The hydrolysed collagenThe peptides derived from hydrolysed collagen, like those used in many food supplements, have a smaller molecular size, enabling them to be absorbed quickly and effectively. Several studies have shown that peptides derived from hydrolysed collagen are present in the bloodstream shortly after ingestion.
In addition, elements such as vitamin Coften added to collagen-based products, help to reinforce the absorption and synthesis of collagen in the body.
5. Other Nutritional Supplements in Capsules: Vitamins and Minerals
As well as collagen, capsules often contain other types of nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals.
- Vitamins Vitamins D, E or C, often encapsulated in capsule form, are protected until they reach the intestine, where they are then absorbed by the body. For example liposomal vitamin C is encapsulated in liposomes, which act as a protective barrier so that the vitamin is better absorbed by the intestine.
- Minerals Minerals such as zinc or the magnesium are often taken in capsule form to optimise their absorption. Modern formulations ensure that these minerals reach the intestine without being altered by gastric juices.
6. Probiotics and enzymes: Extra protection
The probiotics and digestive enzymes are supplements that are particularly sensitive to stomach acid. Without adequate protection, probiotics could be destroyed before they even reach the intestine, where they need to act. This is why many probiotic capsules use enteric coatings, which resist gastric juices and only dissolve once they reach the intestine.
7. The benefits of capsules
Capsules offer a number of advantages:
- They protect nutrients from degradation due to humidity, oxygen or light, thereby increasing their lifespan.
- They hide the unpleasant taste of certain ingredients, such as amino acids or collagen.
- They provide precise dosage and simplify the daily intake of supplements.
Capsules are therefore a reliable and effective method of ensuring that nutrients reach their destination in the body without being altered by the digestive environment.
Conclusion
Gastric juices are not an obstacle to the effectiveness of food supplements in capsules. On the contrary, they play a role in preparing nutrients for optimal absorption. Supplements such as hydrolysed collagen, probiotics, vitamins and minerals are designed to resist gastric acidity and release their nutrients in a controlled manner so that they can be absorbed by the intestine and used by the body.
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