You have lots of choices when it comes to multivitamins — caplets, tablets, gummies, chewables and liquid — yes, liquid. It's probably not the first type you'd consider, but maybe it should be.
Liquid vitamins are gaining popularity among people who want their nutrients to be absorbed more quickly with peace of mind that their body is getting what it needs.
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As with every other supplement, you want to know when you're buying when choosing a liquid multivitamin off the shelf. Learn how to pick the best liquid multivitamin to really reap the benefits.
The Best Liquid Multivitamins
- Best Overall: Centrum Liquid ($21.40, Walmart)
- Best for Women: Garden of Life Vitamin Code Multivitamin Liquid ($40.88, Walmart)
- Best for Men: Vitamin Shoppe Liquid Multivitamin ($36.99, VitaminShoppe)
- Best for Children: Pure Encapsulations LiquiNutrients ($59.40, PureEncapsulationsPro)
- Best for Older Adults: NaturesPlus Source of Life Liquid ($37.78, Amazon)
- Best Vegetarian: Nature's Way Alive! Liquid Multivitamin ($29.95, Amazon)
- Popular on TikTok: Mary Ruth's Liquid Morning Multivitamin ($42.03, Amazon)
How We Chose
Our writer used her knowledge as a registered dietitian to review the available liquid multivitamins and chose the ones below based on the following criteria:
- Brand quality
- Nutrient profile
- Other ingredients
- Availability
- Cost
Learn more about how we choose and cover products.
A Note on Language
Here at LIVESTRONG.com, we try to use inclusive language when it comes to sex and gender. Some vitamin guidelines distinguish needs for women and men, but vitamin requirements are usually more accurate when tailored to a person's individual health needs, activity level and overall health.
Still, we understand many people look up this information in relation to their own sex and gender, so we have used the words "women" and "men" throughout this article.
1. Centrum Liquid
Centrum Liquid
This pick includes many essential vitamins and is a good option for most adults.
Pros
- Great source of iron
- Great for those on a plant-based diet
- Does not need refrigeration
- No artificial sweeteners
Cons
- Does not include calcium or vitamin D
Centrum boasts it's the number one doctor-recommended brand, so it only makes sense that it makes the list as a reputable liquid multivitamin supplement at an affordable price.
This supplement, recommended for adults only, hits most of the marks for what to look for in a liquid. The nutrient formulation provides a healthy mix of what you would expect in a multivitamin off the shelf.
This liquid contains more iron than most (9 milligrams), which is just over the recommended amount for men (8 milligrams) and half of what women should have daily (18 milligrams), per the National Institutes of Health. This makes it a great choice for most women as well as men who eat a mostly plant-based diet.
It does not contain calcium and only has 400 IU of vitamin D, so make sure you're getting both of those from food sources.
This liquid multivitamin doesn't need to be refrigerated, so as long as you avoid extreme temperatures, you can carry it with you. It also doesn't have artificial sweeteners (it's sweetened with sugar).
2. Garden of Life Vitamin Code Multivitamin Liquid
Garden of Life Vitamin Code Multivitamin Liquid
This pick contains healthy amounts of vitamin D and iron.
Pros
- Vegetarian
- Reputable brand
- Good source of vitamin D
Cons
- Not third-party tested
- Only a small amount of iron
Garden of Life is an established brand of supplements often tested by Consumer Lab, which makes it a generally good choice. While this particular supplement has not been third-party verified, it gets points for the reputable brand behind it.
This multivitamin is vegetarian, with nutrients coming from a blend of fruits, vegetables, mushrooms and sprouts.
When it comes to multivitamins for women, this one is a win, with 1,000 international units of vitamin D and a small amount of iron. You'll just need to ensure you're getting additional iron in your diet (if you haven't hit menopause yet).
You'll also have to get calcium, potassium and magnesium from whole foods (like cow's milk) to round out your nutrient intake throughout the day.
3. Vitamin Shoppe Liquid Multivitamin
Vitamin Shoppe Liquid Multivitamin
This liquid vitamin tastes great and has no iron, which is ideal for men.
Pros
- A good source of selenium, zinc and B vitamins
Cons
- Must be refrigerated
If your diet is not quite what you'd like it to be, this liquid multivitamin has you covered. The mix of nutrients is a great blend for a man who prefers his vitamins in a liquid form.
It does not contain iron — you generally don't want iron in a men's multivitamin — and has a good amount of nutrients needed to maintain good health, such as selenium, zinc and B vitamins.
The customer reviews rave about the great taste, but make sure you keep it in the refrigerator for best quality.
4. Pure Encapsulations LiquiNutrients
Pure Encapsulations LiquiNutrients
The apple juice flavor of this vitamin makes it great for kids.
Pros
- Sweetened with apple juice concentrate and stevia
- Third-party tested
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
Cons
- Not a great source of iron or calcium
Finding a suitable multivitamin for children can be a confusing task, as there are so many to choose from. If you want to stay away from the gummies but want a liquid with comparable nutrients, Pure Encapsulations is a great choice.
Most gummies don't have iron and only a small amount of calcium, and the same goes for this liquid multivitamin, so make sure your child is getting enough of these nutrients in their diet.
This liquid is sweetened with apple juice concentrate and stevia leaf extract and contains the equivalent of one teaspoon of sugar.
Pure Encapsulations is third-party tested, and this pick is vegan, gluten-free and meant for kids ages 4 and older.
5. NaturesPlus Source of Life Liquid
Natures Plus Source of Life Liquid Multivitamin
This hypoallergenic, vegetarian formula is great for older folks with dietary restrictions.
Pros
- Plant-based
- Free of artificial colors and sweeteners
- High in vitamins A, B, C and E
Cons
- Some reviewers don't like the taste
- Not a great source of iron for those who need it (like people who are menstruating or pregnant)
NaturesPlus liquid multivitamin is a good choice for a supplement that is truly meant to be in addition to a healthy diet. The brand's products are gluten-free, hypoallergenic and plant-based.
This blend of nutrients includes a high amount of B vitamins and vitamins A, C and E. And it only has a small amount of iron (4.5 milligrams), which makes it a good choice for men and people who've already gone through menopause.
You'll also get some selenium and zinc, both of which are important for health as we age. It also contains 1,000 international units of vitamin D3, which makes it a great source of this essential nutrient.
Liquid vitamins are a great choice for older adults who may have difficulties swallowing. Plus, this supplement is one that all older adults in the house can take, so you don't have to purchase separate bottles.
6. Nature's Way Alive! Liquid Multivitamin
Nature's Way Alive Complete Liquid Multivitamin
This product has been tested and NSF-certified for its quality.
Pros
- Third-party certified
- Good source of omega-3, -6 and -9 fatty acids
Cons
- Not a significant source of calcium, vitamin D or magnesium
This liquid multivitamin is made by Nature's Way, which adheres to NSF-certified Good Manufacturing Practices. In addition, every product carries a TRU-ID certification, which is a third-party certification that tests for purity of ingredients.
Alive! has a hefty amount of every nutrient you would expect to see in a multivitamin, with a few exceptions: It does not contain iron, and it has lower than the daily recommended amounts of calcium, vitamin D and magnesium.
On the plus side, it does have a blend of fruits, vegetables and greens like dandelion and lemongrass. It also has a blend of omega- 3, -6 and -9 fatty acids.
7. Mary Ruth's Liquid Morning Multivitamin
Mary Ruth's Liquid Morning Multivitamin
This pick is loved on social media for its flavor and natural ingredients.
Pros
- Great taste
- Good source of vitamin D and beta carotene
- Vegan
Cons
- Not recommended for children under 12
- Not recommended for people who are pregnant or lactating
If you're a review reader, then you'll see the trend on this multivitamin: Tastes great. It's also raved about on social platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
This liquid multi is a true supplement to your diet, as it contains many important nutrients, but not all. This means you'll still need to get nutrients like iron, calcium and zinc from your diet. It contains 800 international units of vitamin D and vitamin A in the form of beta carotene, so those are both a plus for this multivitamin.
Mary Ruth's is vegan and free of the eight major allergens and added sugar.
It's not recommended for children under 12 or people who are pregnant or lactating.
This liquid comes in three flavors, but choose the raspberry to get 100 percent of the daily amount of vitamin C — the other flavors fall short.
Warning
Talk to your doctor about any vitamins and supplements you take, as they have the potential to interact with your medications. In addition, if you experience any uncomfortable side effects after taking a new liquid multivitamin, call your doctor right away.
What to Look for in a Liquid Multivitamin
Keep these pointers in mind when choosing a dietary supplement to make sure you're getting a quality product that's right for you.
1. Third-Party Testing
Because the FDA doesn't guarantee the safety or effectiveness of supplements before they're sold, third-party testing ensures the supplement contains the nutrients it claims in the amounts on the label.
It's done by independent labs (those not connected to any supplement brand), which may also check there's no heavy metal contamination.
The big three third-party testers are Consumer Lab, NSF (also NSF for Sport) and USP. There are other independent labs that test supplements, but they aren't as common.
Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of liquid multivitamins that meet this important criteria. But supplements should all be manufactured according to current good manufacturing practices (CGMPs). This is a program run by the FDA to verify the quality of dietary supplements.
2. Nutrient Formulation
It is rare to find two multivitamins with the exact same amount of nutrients. Many are designed to fit a specific need or population.
Keep in mind which nutrients are important to you, and make sure you get those in your liquid multivitamin. For example, many don't have iron or calcium. If those nutrients are a must, be choosy about your multi or add an additional supplement to your regimen.
Benefits of a Liquid Multivitamin
1. Medical Reasons
Let's face it: Some of those multivitamin caplets are big, and if you have trouble swallowing pills, there's no way those are going to work for you. A liquid multi allows you to have a multivitamin in a form right for your needs. Liquid vitamins are also good for those who may have recently had surgery or have possible digestion issues.
2. Absorption
Liquid vitamins may actually have a faster absorption rate because they don't need to be broken down. Throughout the process of digestion, liquids leave the stomach first, then solid foods after that, according to April 2019 research in Neurogastroenterology and Motility.
Drawbacks of a Liquid Multivitamin
1. Storage and Shelf Life
Many liquid multivitamins need to be refrigerated, which means they aren't a great choice if you travel with your supplements.
In addition, just like their pill and caplet counterparts, liquid multivitamins have a use-by date, which is good to stick with, as your vitamins my lose their potency if kept longer.
2. Dosage
Liquid multivitamins are dosed by you. Each one is different and is usually taken in teaspoon or tablespoon doses. Stick with the dosing instructions to ensure you're getting the right amount of the supplement. If you don't trust yourself to dose appropriately, stick with another form of multi.
3. Cost
Liquid vitamins are going to cost you. They are typically more expensive than traditional multivitamin pills.
Safety Considerations
1. Child vs. Adult Dosage
There are some safety considerations when taking liquid multivitamins. If you're using your supplement for several members of the family, make sure you are dosing appropriately. The dose for adults will not be the same as the dose for kids.
2. Pregnancy
There are considerations to keep in mind if you're pregnant, too. Many liquid multivitamins contain vitamin A in the form of retinyl palmitate. The Linus Pauling Institute recommends not exceeding 3,000 micrograms RAE per day of retinyl palmitate during pregnancy. That's because vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin, so it's stored in the body, and too much of it can be harmful to your baby.
Beta-carotene is also a form of vitamin A found in liquid supplements. There is no upper limit for beta-carotene.
