The Soluble Supplements That Really Work: Experts Debunk Claims of Soluble Miracle Cures That Stop Baldness, Snoring and Acne

From sublingual vitamins to anti-snoring strips that melt in your mouth, a huge range of health products are now available in soluble form. But do they deliver the added effectiveness that manufacturers claim? CAROLINE JONES asked the experts to review some of the latest offerings, which we then reviewed.

REMOVE ACNE

Solving Preservation of Beauty Zit Strips, £18 for six strips, spacenk.com

CLAIM: These strips are made using ‘nanodot technology’ – meaning the active ingredients (salicylic acid and niacinamide) are broken down into small molecules – which the maker claims allows them to penetrate the skin three times deeper than standard spot treatments. Hold the strip in place, wet it with a damp cloth and allow it to dissolve into the skin.

EXPERT JUDGMENT: ‘Salicylic acid and niacinamide are proven effective remedies for spots,’ says Dr Maham Khan, a dermatologist at the Cadogan Clinic in London.

‘Salicylic acid exfoliates the skin, penetrating the pores and dissolving excess oil and dead skin cells. Niacinamide has strong anti-inflammatory properties, reduces oil production and helps improve the skin barrier.

‘In theory, the smaller molecular size allows the product to better penetrate the skin and reach deeper layers where breakouts can occur. But compared to proven and effective prescription treatments like benzoyl peroxide, these ingredients are not as potent and would only be suitable for mild acne or occasional breakouts.’ 7/10

ELECTROLYTE MIXTURE

Humantra Berry Pomegranate Electrolyte Drink Mix, £28 for 20 sachets, humantra.co.uk

CLAIM: This powder contains calcium, magnesium, sodium, zinc, chloride and potassium. According to the manufacturer, you dissolve it in 500 ml of water and it ‘hydrates four times more effectively than water alone’.

EXPERT VERDICT: “Electrolytes are essential nutrients that play an important role in keeping the body well hydrated,” says Dr Lindsy Kass, a sports and nutrition scientist at the University of Hertfordshire.

‘They ensure that water is transported to our cells and stored there, and not simply removed as waste.

‘But electrolytes are found in many foods, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, so you don’t need expensive electrolyte powders like these, because most of us get enough through a normal diet.

‘There is no additional benefit to dissolving these substances in water unless you are severely dehydrated, for example due to severe stomach complaints or from exercising in very hot conditions.

‘This also contains sodium, or salt, which has been linked to high blood pressure and kidney problems, so it’s not a good idea to eat this regularly.’ 4/10

STOP SNORING

Snoreeze Snore Relief Oral Strips, £8 for 14, boots.com

CLAIM: These mint-flavored strips are said to target “the root cause of snoring” and “hydrate the soft tissue at the back of the throat,” providing relief for up to eight hours. Place one on the roof of your mouth before bed.

EXPERT VERDICT: ‘Snoring happens when air flows past the relaxed tissues in your throat, causing them to vibrate when you breathe,’ says Dr Nisa Aslam, a GP in London. ‘The strip dissolves in your mouth so it’s a convenient way to administer it. It contains peppermint oil, which can act as a nasal decongestant to ease breathing and also reduce snoring, and glycerin, which can improve snoring slightly by lubricating the throat tissues so they vibrate less.

“But I’m not sure this effect lasts all night. It also doesn’t address the causes of snoring, such as sleep apnea, where your breathing stops and starts again while you sleep. Untreated, sleep apnea can affect blood pressure and mood.” 6/10

VITAMIN STRIP

Diso M-Vit Soluble Vitamin Strips, £11 for 30 strips, boots.com

CLAIM: The strips contain multiple vitamins – including vitamin C ‘for your body’s growth and repair’ and B for energy and ‘making sure your red blood cells are healthy’ – and minerals such as magnesium, ‘a muscle relaxant that is good for your head (both mentally and physically) and prevents constipation’. They ‘melt quickly in the mouth’.

EXPERT VERDICT: “The idea is that these vitamins are absorbed ‘transmucosally’ – they go straight through the thin lining of the mouth into the bloodstream,” says Aidan Goggins, a pharmacist and independent consultant to the supplement industry.

‘Unlike most oral vitamins, they bypass the gut. In theory, this means they are absorbed more quickly and completely because they don’t have to compete with food in the digestive system.

A substance called ‘pullulan’ is used, which causes the strip to dissolve quickly in the mouth, releasing the active nutrients.

‘But to be fully absorbed through the mouth, it must come into contact with a mucous membrane — the tissue that lines the inside of the cheek, or under the tongue, rather than on top, where most vitamins are simply swallowed with saliva and absorbed in the gut in the standard way.

‘The vitamin content is also low, not close to the amounts or spectrum of nutrients you get in most multivitamin pills.

And it’s expensive: a month’s supply costs £11, while a six-month supply of Boots multivitamins costs £6.60.’ 3/10

HELP MENTAL SHARPNESS

Bodyhealth H2 Infuse Molecular Hydrogen, £54.49 for 60 tablets, healf.com

CLAIM: These tablets are dissolved in water up to three times a day and “deliver potent concentrations of hydrogen,” which “improves cognitive acuity,” according to the manufacturer.

EXPERT VERDICT: ‘Hydrogen can activate the cells’ own antioxidant response, known as Nrf2, which turns on over 250 genes to protect and revitalise our cells – keeping us healthier from head to toe,’ says Aidan Goggins.

‘Nrf2 activity decreases with age. By age 40, it can even halve. So stimulating it can have many benefits for the body.

‘Early research supports the theory that hydrogen-enriched water activates Nrf2, but we still need to confirm this and determine the optimal dose and frequency of consumption.

‘It’s worth noting that while water already contains hydrogen, it’s not in a form that the body can absorb. But these tablets, added to water, produce hydrogen particles small enough to enter cells, giving them a gentle workout.

‘To save money, use this only once a day (you’ll still get enough hydrogen), or exercise regularly and follow a Mediterranean diet. Both have the same effect.’ 5/10

PREVENT TOOTH DECAY

Superteeth Dental Probiotics, £29.69 for 60 tablets, healf.com

CLAIM: Taken right after brushing, these fast-dissolving, sugar-free probiotics (i.e., those with beneficial bacteria) create “an environment where harmful bacteria have a hard time thriving,” says the maker. Dissolve one tablet in the mouth once or twice daily.

EXPERT VERDICT: ‘Some research suggests that using alcohol-based mouthwash can kill the ‘good’, protective bacteria in the mouth, allowing ‘bad’ bacteria to flourish and cause poor oral health in the long term,’ says Jasmine Piran, a dentist in London.

‘This product contains three strains of beneficial bacteria: Lactobacillus paracasei (thought to stop the formation of bacterial ‘biofilm’ on teeth), Streptococcus salivarius (which has a potential anti-inflammatory effect on gums) and Lactobacillus reuteri (possibly useful in combating gum disease).

‘Research into oral probiotics is still in its infancy, but using a product like this can do no harm and may prevent gum disease and tooth decay, as long as the ingredients remain in the mouth long enough to do their work before being washed away by saliva.

‘Follow the manufacturer’s advice and do not eat or drink for 30 minutes after taking it, so that the beneficial bacteria have a chance to settle in your mouth.’ 8/10

STRENGTHEN HAIR

Philip Kingsley Vitamin C Jelly, £30 for four sachets, philipkingsley.co.uk

CLAIM: Adding water to this sachet of powder creates a gel that removes impurities from hair, leaving it “soft and strong.” Use before your shampoo and conditioner, every two to three weeks.

EXPERT VERDICT: ‘Two of the key ingredients – panthenol and betaine – are widely used humectants that are already used in thousands of shampoos and conditioners,’ says Eva Proudman, trichologist and founder of UK Hair Consultants.

‘However, the amount of vitamin C in this product is not insignificant. There is good research showing that vitamin C can prevent damage to hair follicles, stimulate hair growth and protect the hair and scalp from damage by harmful molecules called free radicals, which are produced by pollution, the sun’s UV rays and an unbalanced scalp microbiome.

‘The jelly is a new presentation, but other products are more cost-effective, such as Aveda’s Botanical Repair Treatment, which contains vitamin C and similar nourishing ingredients (£30 for 100g, compared to £30 for just 20g here).’ 5/10