Which Is Better: Creatine Powder Vs Pills
Creatine is without a doubt one of the most effective body building supplements in the market.
Its impressive modes of action are not only fast and safe but also unmatched by any other workout supplement ingredient.
There is, however, a continuous debate on which is the better option between creatine powder and pills or capsules.
Below is a descriptive analysis that should help you make the decision for yourself.
Dosage
A basic single dose of creatine powder is between 3 grams (a teaspoon) and 5 grams (a tablespoon).
The tablespoon dose is equivalent to 2 – 2.5 grams in a creatine pill.
This means that you would have to take at least two pills to match the dosage from the creatine powder.
However, the dosage measurements could vary with different forms of creatine where forms such as creatine monohydrate require higher dosages than the acid-based variety.
Absorbability
Creatine powders are absorbed faster and more easily in the stomach than creatine pills.
This is mainly due to the fact that they exist in liquid form.
Pills can be made more absorbable in capsule form where the capsule is a protein that disintegrated in the stomach to release the creatine molecules for absorption.
Chewable pills can also increase the absorbability value of the pills but after all is said and done, the creatine powder mix is the best in terms of absorbability.
Ease of use
This is a matter of opinion but more often than not, the creatine pills take the cake in terms of ease of use. This is because all you have to do is pop two into your mouth and either chew or swallow with water.
Creatine powders on the other hand require mixing with a specific amount of water, shaking to dissolve and enduring a few minutes of continuous swallowing.
It goes without saying that the powder takes more time and is more tasking in terms of preparation.
However, for people who want to take the mixture both before and after the workout, the powder mix is the perfect way to spread out your daily dose allowance.
Effectiveness
It is safe to say that in terms of effectiveness, the two forms of creatine are equal.
This is because in spite of the fact that they are available in different forms, they have the same ingredients and content and reach the target site as similar compounds.
Taste
If you are fussy about taste and flavor, then creatine powder is probably the best way to go.
Depending on the company, you can have the powders available in a variety of flavors.
The pills on the other hand are available in plain flavors.
However, some of the chewable creatine pill varieties have different flavors but the variety is considerably lower than that of the powders.
Cost
The cost is greatly determined by the supplement manufacturer.
However, pills are undeniably the more expensive of the two forms.
This is mainly because of the convenience and ease of use experienced with pills as opposed to creatine powder.
Bottom line
After all is said and done, there is no doubt that both forms have their fair share of pros and cons. It therefore boils down to your preferences as the user. Just be sure to complement whichever form of the supplement that you choose with sufficient exercise and a balanced diet for the results that you desire.