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Can You Crush Vitamins Into Smoothies?

can you crush vitamins into smoothies

While there are many different ways to take your vitamin supplements – from powders and syrups to gummies – pills are still incredibly popular, thanks to their price point, purity, and shelf life.

However, many pill-based vitamin supplements are large, chalky, or otherwise tough to swallow, which is why some people prefer to crush them and mix the powder into drinks.

If you struggle to swallow vitamin pills, crushing them into a drink may seem like the best way to take them, as it (theoretically) helps mask the pill flavors and ensure a smooth consistency.

To give you a quick answer: Yes, if you struggle to swallow pills and can’t find a good alternative (like gummies or syrups), crushing vitamins into smoothies is probably a good option.

However, not all vitamins are suitable for crushing, so this article will help you find the best way to take your vitamins and answer the question of can you crush vitamins into smoothies once and for all.

Can You Crush Vitamins Into Smoothies?

can you blend vitamin pills into smoothies

For people who can’t swallow pills, crushing them and mixing the powder into smoothies is an easy and tasty way to take vitamins or medication. But can you crush vitamins into smoothies?

Yes, you can typically crush vitamins into smoothies. By blending the vitamins with the other ingredients in the smoothie, you can easily incorporate them into your drink for a convenient and nutritious boost.

However, some vitamins, like time-release or enteric-coated tablets, should not be crushed. Time-release tablets are designed to slowly release their medication over time. could cause the vitamins to be absorbed too quickly.

Whereas, enteric-coated tablets have a special coating to protect your stomach, and crushing them might cause irritation to your stomach lining.

Also, a few manufacturers give official advice on mixing pills, so you need to read the label for such instructions.

Note: Always consult with a healthcare professional before changing how you take your vitamins.

Can You Blend Vitamins Into Smoothies?

With the right kind of equipment and enough patience, you can technically blend any type of vitamin pill, but that doesn’t mean you should.

If your goal is to mix them into a smoothie, you should choose water-soluble pills so they can fully dissolve into your drink. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a lumpy mess or leave some vitamins in a residue on your blender.

Unfortunately for vitamin smoothie fans, many types of vitamin supplements aren’t suitable for blending into smoothies because they are chemically coated or specially formulated to release their contents slowly (or after they pass through your stomach).

In other words, the answer to “can you blend vitamins into smoothies?” is yes, with a pharmacy-sized asterisk.

Do Vitamins Still Work If You Crush Them?

Can You Blend Vitamins Into Smoothies

Generally speaking, the active ingredients in vitamin supplements should have similar effects whether you take them in a pill or mixed into your drinks.

Many vitamins (like Vitamin C also known as Ascorbic Acid) are also sold in powdered form, so crushing pills containing these vitamins won’t stop them from working their magic.

The main factors to consider when asking if you can crush vitamins into smoothies and whether that stops them from working are the quality and quantity of vitamins and whether you’re mixing them with anything that could help or hinder their effects.

For example, while you can mix water-soluble vitamins (B1-12 and C) with almost any kind of juice, fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) need to be mixed with fat, such as milk or yogurt, to dissolve fully.

As long as you mix like with like and avoid coated pills and those designed for slow release, your homemade vitamin drinks should be as effective as the pills you mixed into them.

Things You’ll Need Before Crushing Vitamins

Firstly, you should double-check whether it’s safe to crush your vitamin pills (either by studying the packaging or asking a doctor) before you start mixing your vitamin smoothies.

Secondly, you should ensure you have everything you need to turn fruit, veg, and pills into tasty vitamin smoothies, as improvising may leave you with a messy kitchen and lumpy drink.

You’ll need the following equipment and ingredients:

Blender

Whether you have a high-end smoothie maker or a basic stick blender, this piece of kit is absolutely essential for making smoothies.

Pill Crusher/Mortar and Pestle

The best way to turn vitamin pills into powder is with a mortar and pestle or purpose-built pill crusher, which can be bought from most drugstores and supermarkets or online.

NOTE: Use a smooth mortar and pestle to prevent powder from getting lost in the grooves, and only use it to grind pills, so you don’t contaminate your cooking.

Vitamin Pills

Choose the vitamin pills you want to add to your smoothie – try to pick water-soluble vitamins without coatings or additives – and set aside the recommended dosage to add to your smoothie.

Make sure you ask yourself about the right dosage and if can you crush vitamins into smoothies, so you don’t take more vitamins than you need.

Fruit and Veg

Last but not least, you need fruit and/or vegetables for your smoothie! Apples and bananas are highly versatile in sweet recipes, while carrots and spinach add more savory notes and plenty of nutrients.

How To Crush Vitamins Into Smoothies (Safely)

Now that you’ve got everything you need to make some tasty vitamin-enriched smoothies, you’re probably tempted to stick everything in a blender and get right to the end.

However, making a consistent smoothie from hard vitamin pills isn’t like making usual smoothies, so we’ve prepared a 5-step guide to help you turn your supplements into tasty treats.

1. Prepare your workstation

When thinking about can you crush vitamins into smoothies, organization is key. Gather all the equipment you need, and set it up on a sturdy worktop so you can get to work without worrying about finding the right attachment or your blender rattling away.

2. Gather your Ingredients

Next, gather all your ingredients and prepare them for blending by peeling bananas, coring apples, washing spinach, etc., as well as measuring out the right doses of vitamins.

3. Crush/blend your vitamins

Before blending, make sure to thoroughly crush your vitamins, as most blenders will struggle to turn them into a fine powder, especially if you add the pills with your other ingredients.

4. Blend your smoothie

Now everything is ready to blend, and you can stop worrying about can you crush vitamins into smoothies and make the nutritious drinks of your dreams.

5. Mix everything together

After your vitamins and veggies (or fruits) have been crushed and blended to the desired consistency, it’s time to mix them all together: Either add them all to the blender or stir the vitamin powder into your smoothie with a large spoon.

What Not To Do When Crushing Pills

While it may seem like a lot of effort to crush your vitamins and blend your smoothie, you should avoid taking shortcuts and keep these points in mind:

  • Blending pills and fruit/veg together: This makes it harder to crush the pills into a fine powder, resulting in a lumpy drink.
  • Crushing pills in a plastic bag: Putting your pills in a bag and crushing them with a hammer may seem simple but can result in losing some or leaving chunky fragments.
  • Using too many pills: Remember to stick to the recommended dosage and limit yourself to one or two servings, so you don’t take too much by accident.

Smoothie Recipe Ideas To Blend Your Vitamins

According to the CDC, approximately 9 in 10 Americans do not eat enough fruit or vegetables and aren’t getting all the nutrients they should.

These healthy and tasty smoothie recipes will help you get the fruits and vegetables you need, with extra protein, fiber, and no added sugars.

And of course, you can blend your vitamins into these smoothies.

Peanut butter and banana smoothie

Not only does this nutty smoothie taste surprisingly indulgent, but it’s also packed full of protein, magnesium, and potassium to keep you energized throughout the day with:

  • 1 ½ banana
  • 1 ½ of natural peanut butter (preferably smooth with no added sugar)
  • 10 oz. of milk

Blueberry antioxidant blast

Blueberries and spinach are full of antioxidants, which have a wide variety of health benefits, so why not blend them with your multivitamin of choice for a healthy treat?

  • 1 cup of blueberries
  • 1 handful of spinach, washed
  • ½ cup of plain yogurt
  • 1 cup milk
  • ½ a banana

Tomato surprise

Surprise – tomatoes are technically fruits and packed full of vitamin C, especially when blended with celery and avocado to create a healthy smoothie that tastes like a virgin bloody mary:

  • 2 cups tomatoes
  • ½ cup tomato juice
  • ½ an avocado
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • ¼ cup celery
  • Pinch of salt
  • Hot sauce (to taste)
  • 2 cups ice

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to blend vitamins into a smoothie?

Yes, blending vitamins into a smoothie is generally safe. However, avoid blending time-release or enteric-coated tablets as it can disrupt their function.

Can you blend multivitamins?

Sure, you can blend multivitamins into a smoothie or juice.

Will crushing vitamins help absorb?

Crushing vitamins can help with absorption as it breaks them down into smaller pieces.

Can you put pills in a blender?

Yes, you can put pills in a blender, but it depends on the type of pill. It’s generally safe for regular vitamins and supplements. However, time-release or enteric-coated tablets shouldn’t be blended because it can interfere with how they work.

Conclusion

If you struggle to swallow pills and love smoothies, then mixing the two is a no-brain way to get more nutrients into your daily routine!

However, making a tasty and, well, a smooth smoothie isn’t as simple as chucking a couple of multivitamins and a banana in the blender, so remember to pick uncoated, water-soluble vitamins and crush them up real good before mixing into your fave smoothies.

As with any kind of vitamin supplement, you should ask a doctor before you make vitamin smoothies a regular part of your diet and always follow the instructions on the packet to avoid taking too much or mixing with other medications.

We hope that this article has taught you how to make the vitamins go down easily and answered the question “Can I blend my vitamins in a smoothy?” once and for all.

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Written and Researched by

SupplementsYouCanTrust is made up of passionate health writers dedicated to providing reliable information on supplements and vitamins. With backgrounds in nutrition, medicine, and research, our team brings a diverse range of perspectives and expertise to the table.
Dr Wasim Khan

Medically Reviewed by

Dr. Wasim Khan’s areas of expertise lie in understanding the role of dietary supplements and vitamins in healthcare. His in-depth knowledge allows him to provide comprehensive advice and help you make informed decisions about your nutritional intake and supplement usage.

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