Effervescent tablets (also known as fizzing tablets) offer a unique delivery format distinct from traditional supplement forms like tablets, capsules, and powders.
Their advantages make a strong case for why supplement brands should consider incorporating effervescent formulations into their product portfolios. Key benefits include rapid absorption, ease of use, elimination of the need to swallow pills, and the ability to deliver higher doses of active ingredients—each of which will be explored in more detail below.
The following discussion addresses the question, “What are effervescent tablets?”, how they work, and the ingredients commonly found in these innovative formulations.
What Are Effervescent Tablets?
Effervescent tablets are typically larger than standard tablets and are designed to be placed in a glass of water, where they fizz and dissolve into the liquid. The soluble nature of effervescent tablets offers the potential for faster absorption of active ingredients, further enhancing their appeal. Among the many effervescent tablets benefits are pleasant ly refreshing taste, gentle action on the stomach, and greater consumer appeal.
One of the most notable advantages of effervescent tablets is their ability to deliver substantial amounts of active ingredients in a convenient, drinkable form. The key difference between effervescent tablets and traditional tablets or capsules is that the nutraceuticals in effervescent tablets are consumed as a liquid, whereas regular tablets and capsules must be swallowed whole as a solid dosage form. Additionally, certain nutraceuticals may be better absorbed when delivered through an effervescent format.
How Do Effervescent Tablets Work?
Effervescent tablets typically contain an “effervescing” agent, such as sodium bicarbonate or potassium bicarbonate, along with an acidic agent. When placed in a glass of water, the bicarbonate reacts with the acid to release bubbles of carbon dioxide, creating the characteristic fizzing effect and promoting rapid disintegration. The tablet fully dissolves within a few minutes, allowing the active ingredients to become available in solution. This delivery method results in a smooth, non-gritty texture and may also enhance nutrient absorption and bioavailability (more on this below).
What Ingredients Are Commonly Found in Effervescent Tablets?
The core ingredients commonly used in effervescent formulations include the following:
- Effervescent agents – Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) is a common effervescent agent, but potassium bicarbonate is a good alternative when the goal is to reduce the sodium content.
- Acidic agents – Organic acids such as citric acid, tartaric acid and malic acid are used to drive the effervescent reaction, while also providing tartness and improving solubility.
- Active ingredients – There are many active ingredients which may be included in effervescent tablets. Existing products on the market include effervescent multivitamins with a range of vitamins and minerals, as well as amino acids, herbal extracts and other nutraceuticals like coenzyme Q10.
- Flavoring agents and sweeteners – Flavoring agents (generally natural flavors) are often incorporated to provide an enjoyable experience for the supplement user. There are several natural or artificial sweeteners that can be used to enhance the palatability of the supplement.
- Binders/stabilizers – Depending upon the formulation, binders may be included to help keep the ingredients in the effervescent tablet together until it is submerged in water.
Understanding the Market Trends & Consumer Demand for Effervescent Supplements
In 2023, the global effervescent tablet market was valued at $9.78 billion and is projected to reach $19.06 billion by 2031, growing at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7%.1Global Effervescent Tablet Market – Industry Trends and Forecast to 2031. Data Bridge Market Research. Retrieved April 17, 2025 from https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-effervescent-tablet-market?srsltid=AfmBOoocAZKT2-PMmc06AhDdlOSPnlfZzB_i28RmXSrXE9dQXmoELokZ. According to the Nutrition Business Journal, sales of effervescent supplements closely follow those of traditional tablets in the dietary supplement category.2NBJ Supplement Industry Trends. SupplySide Connect 2025. April 9, 2025.
Several key factors are driving this growth. As discussed earlier in this article, effervescent tablets offer a convenient, user-friendly dosage form that dissolves in water and can be consumed as a pleasant, refreshing drink. Rising consumer interest in health and wellness continues to fuel demand for innovative supplement formats. Additionally, effervescent tablets are particularly well-suited for older adults, as they are easier to take and gentler on digestion.3Global Effervescent Tablet Market – Industry Trends and Forecast to 2031. Data Bridge Market Research. Retrieved April 17, 2025 from https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-effervescent-tablet-market?srsltid=AfmBOoocAZKT2-PMmc06AhDdlOSPnlfZzB_i28RmXSrXE9dQXmoELokZ.
Advantages of Effervescent Tablets
Effervescent tablets offer several key advantages that have contributed to their growing popularity:
Rapid Absorption and Bioavailability
Research has demonstrated that effervescent tablets offer superior absorption in some cases. For example, one study4Joshi SS, Sawant SV, Shedge A, Halpner AD. Comparative bioavailability of two novel coenzyme Q10 preparations in humans. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 2003;41(1):42-8. found that both effervescent and fast-melting tablet forms of coenzyme Q10 were absorbed more rapidly than softgels or powder-filled hard-shell capsules. Another study5Sadideen H, Swaminathan R. Effect of acute oral calcium load on serum PTH and bone resorption in young healthy subjects: an overnight study. Eur J Clin Nutr 2004;58(12):1661-5. reported that an effervescent form of calcium led to significant increases in serum calcium levels, reflecting effective absorption through effervescence.
Convenience for Consumers
Effervescent tablets offer a major convenience advantage. Consumers can simply drop a tablet into water, allow it to dissolve, and drink it — no blending or vigorous mixing required, unlike powders. Additionally, effervescent tablets are portable and lightweight, making them ideal for daily use or travel without the burden of carrying ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages.
No Need to Swallow Pills
Up to 40% of Americans have difficulty swallowing pills.6Salamon M. When pills pose problems. Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School. February 1, 2025. Retrieved April 17, 2025 from https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/when-pills-pose-problems#:~:text=Up%20to%2040%25%20of%20American,easily%20slide%20down%20the%20throat. Whether due to physical limitations or psychological barriers, many individuals prefer alternative delivery forms. Effervescent tablets eliminate the need for swallowing large tablets or capsules, providing a user-friendly solution.
Pleasant Drinking Experience
Effervescent formulations can incorporate natural flavors and sweeteners, resulting in a palatable, aromatic drinking experience. This pleasant sensory profile further enhances consumer compliance and satisfaction.
Higher Dosage Capacity of Active Ingredients
Unlike conventional tablets, which are limited by what consumers can reasonably swallow, effervescent tablets can deliver larger doses of active ingredients. Whereas a typical compressed tablet may only weigh one gram, many effervescent tablets can weigh in at up to four grams. This allows for higher potency formulations without sacrificing ease of use.
Common Uses & Applications of Effervescent Tablets
What are effervescent tablets used for? Effervescent supplements are increasingly utilized across a wide range of health and wellness categories.
According to data from the Nutrition Business Journal, the top categories driving demand for supplements — including effervescent formulations — are as follows (by market share):
- Fitness and Energy: 18.2%
- General Health: 17.7%
- Weight Management: 10.6%
- Immunity: 7.4%
- Gastrointestinal Health: 5.7%
- Heart Health: 5.3%
- Women’s General Health: 3.9%
- Blood Sugar Management: 3.6%
- Bone Health: 3.4%
- Joint Health: 3.3%
- Men’s General Health: 2.8%
- Hair, Skin, and Nails: 2.8%
Other health categories collectively account for 15.2% of the market.
Notably, the fastest-growing health and wellness categories in 2024 were:
- Mood and Mental Health: 8.8%
- Menopause Support: 8.6%
- Brain Health: 8.3%
- Healthy Aging: 7.9%
- Fitness and Energy: 7.2%
- Sexual Health: 7.0%
Interestingly, healthy aging is projected to rise from the fourth fastest-growing category in 2024 to the second by 2025, highlighting an important future growth opportunity for effervescent supplement applications.
How Are Effervescent Tablets Manufactured?
The process begins at an effervescent tablet manufacturer, where tablets are typically produced in a humidity-controlled environment using direct compression. This involves blending powders that include effervescent agents, active ingredients (such as vitamins, minerals, or other nutraceuticals), and necessary excipients like binders and lubricants.
Once thoroughly mixed, the powder blend is compressed into tablets using a high-speed tablet press. After compression, tablets may be further dried and stored in a low-humidity environment to prevent premature activation.
Finally, the tablets are packaged—commonly in specially designed bottles or tubes with built-in desiccants to protect against moisture. The finished product is then boxed and prepared for distribution to customers.
How Can Supplement Brands Capitalize on the Popularity of Effervescent Tablets?
Supplement brands can effectively leverage the rising popularity of effervescent tablets by clearly highlighting the unique advantages of this delivery format in their marketing strategies. The most compelling message is that effervescent tablets eliminate the need to swallow pills—an important consideration for the 40% of Americans who report difficulty with pill swallowing. Additionally, brands should emphasize the benefits of rapid absorption, improved bioavailability, and overall convenience, all of which align with modern consumer preferences.
Identify the Right Consumer Segments
To maximize market potential, brands should target health and wellness categories already driving demand, as outlined in the data from the Nutrition Business Journal. Alternatively, you can choose to focus on the highest growing health/wellness categories in 2024 so that you’re best positioned to take advantage of current trends.
Choose the Right Effervescent Tablet Manufacturer
Not all contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs) are equipped to produce effervescent tablets. While a CDMO that manufactures traditional tablets may seem capable, effervescent formulations require specialized expertise and infrastructure.
Your effervescent tablet manufacturer should have proven experience handling moisture- sensitive materials. This includes managing controlled environments for powder processing, properly handling and warehousing finished tablets, and using protective packaging solutions—such as desiccant-lined containers—to maintain product stability. Without this expertise, brands risk receiving soft, crumbly tablets that compromise product integrity and consumer trust.
Develop Unique & Customized Formulations
Simply offering a supplement in effervescent tablet form is not enough to differentiate your product. To succeed in a competitive market, your formulation must deliver clinically relevant doses of nutraceuticals backed by evidence—and ideally include ingredients that are innovative or trending within the category.
Work with a qualified CDMO that can help you design custom formulations tailored to your target audience, market positioning, and desired health benefits. A strategic formulation is key to creating a meaningful point of differentiation that resonates with both consumers and retailers.
Wrapping Up the Discussion on Effervescent Tablets
Effervescent tablets continue to gain momentum as consumers seek more convenient, effective, and enjoyable supplement formats.
Creating customized, clinically relevant formulations tailored to the right consumer segments can help position your brand for long-term success. By strategically leveraging these trends, supplement companies can meet rising consumer expectations and strengthen their competitive edge in an evolving marketplace.
Their unique advantages—such as rapid absorption, ease of use, and the ability to deliver higher doses of active ingredients—make them an ideal option for brands looking to expand their product portfolios.
As the market for effervescent supplements grows, it is critical to work with an experienced effervescent tablet manufacturer that understands the complexities of formulation, production, and packaging.
How Can Vitaquest Help?
Vitaquest is a CDMO that has provided supplement brands with exceptional one-stop product development, supplement contract manufacturing, packaging design, powder and particle engineering services using fluid bed, oscillation, and roller compaction technologies, and fulfilment solutions for over 45 years.
Whether you’re a newcomer to the industry or aiming to diversify your product range, Vitaquest possesses the expertise, cutting-edge facilities, and solutions needed to swiftly and effectively turn your effervescent tablet supplement concept into reality. In addition to effervescent tablets, Vitaquest also offers a variety of dosage forms, including capsules, traditional tablets, chewable tablets, oral disintegrating tablets (ODTs), and powders. Furthermore, you’ll receive an exceptional level of customer support.
Vitaquest brings deep expertise in both domestic and international regulatory standards, along with a strong commitment to sustainability. From sourcing environmentally responsible ingredients to implementing eco-friendly manufacturing practices, we help brands enhance their market appeal and align with consumer values. Our FDA cGMP compliance, coupled with third-party GMP certifications from NSF, USP, and other leading organizations, provides assurance to brand owners and consumers alike that we consistently meet or exceed industry standards. Additionally, our ability to manufacture Kosher, Halal, and certified organic products—along with FSSC 22000 certification for food safety—demonstrates our ongoing commitment to quality, compliance, and manufacturing excellence.
Are you ready to manufacture a high-quality effervescent tablet product? If so, call 800-526-9095 to speak with one of our knowledgeable sales executives or request a nutraceutical manufacturing quote if you’ve already finalized your project requirements!
Frequently Asked Questions About Effervescent Tablets
Why do effervescent tablets work faster?
Effervescent tablets work fast because they dissolve in a glass of water and don’t require further, extensive breakdown in the stomach or intestines. As a result, they are easy to absorb. In fact, studies have shown excellent absorption with some nutraceuticals when used in effervescent form.
How long does it take for an effervescent tablet to dissolve?
Generally, it takes about a couple of minutes for the effervescent tablet to completely dissolve and for its nutraceuticals to become available in solution.
Are effervescent tablets better than regular tablets or capsules?
Effervescent tablets are not “better” than regular tablets or capsules, per se. Rather, they are a unique delivery form with their own advantages for use with certain nutraceuticals. In other cases, regular tablets or capsules would be the most appropriate delivery form.
Do effervescent tablets lose their potency if not stored properly?
While all dietary supplements may lose potency if not stored properly, effervescent tablets are likely to lose potency if exposed to moisture. Make sure not to keep them in a humid environment. As with all supplements, keep them in a cool, dry place such as a cabinet.
