Ritual Vitamins Review (2023): A Registered Dietitian Shares Her Thoughts

Ritual Vitamins stand apart from most other vitamins available today for their traceable ingredients, simple formulations, and delayed-release capsules. You might think that vitamins packed with megadoses of micronutrients are the best way to go, but Ritual knows better. Unlike their competitors, Ritual only includes micronutrients commonly lacking in Western diets, so your body is more likely to use them. Furthermore, their vitamins are free from common allergens, synthetic fillers, and colorants.

Our Breaking Muscle team of qualified experts, including certified personal trainers, CrossFitters, strength and conditioning coaches, powerlifters/powerlifting coaches, and nutrition experts, have put our heads together to provide you with a comprehensive Ritual vitamins review. We have hands-on experience testing Ritual Essential vitamins designed for both men and women and are eager to share our candid insights regarding taste, aroma, ease of consumption, cost, and effectiveness. As a registered dietitian nutritionist, I’ll provide insights into the ingredients and formulations, ensuring you gain the whole picture.

Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider.

Key Takeaways

• Ritual vitamins consist of vegan-friendly traceable ingredients, so you know the source, supplier, and manufacturing location.
• Ritual crafts minimalist, gluten-free formulas, focusing on essential nutrients and avoiding unnecessary additives, artificial ingredients, or common allergens. 
• Ritual vitamins are tailored to different age groups, genders, and life stages. This ensures that individuals can find supplements that align with their unique health and nutrient needs.

Ritual Vitamins Pros

• Traceable ingredients so you always know the source, supplier, and final place of manufacturing
• Doesn’t include unnecessary ingredients or megadoses of micronutrients you likely already get enough of through food 
• Delayed-release capsules designed for nutrients to reach the most absorptive part of your gut 

Ritual Vitamins Cons

• More expensive than other vitamins that cost less than $1 per serving
• Some customers complain of a fishy smell and taste 
• Some users experience indigestion 

Ritual Vitamins Rating

We rated Ritual vitamins based on Breaking Muscle product tester feedback, customer reviews, verified certifications, and comparison to other similar products.

Factor	Rating (out of 5)
Ingredients and formulation	4.5
Number of servings	3
Price per serving	3
Storage requirements	4
Taste and smell	3.5
Swallowability	4
Potential side effects	3.5
Third-party certifications	4.5

How Does Ritual Work?

Ritual vitamins are dietary supplements that can help fill nutritional gaps in your diet and support overall health. Ritual offers a range of vitamins tailored to specific age groups and life stages. Each product contains a thoughtfully selected set of nutrients backed by scientific research.

One of Ritual’s key principles is label transparency. The company provides detailed information about the sources of their ingredients and the scientific rationale behind including each nutrient in their products. This transparency helps give customers peace of mind by allowing them to know exactly what they’re consuming. 

Ritual vitamins come in the form of delayed-release capsules. The capsule is intended to stay intact until it reaches your intestines, where it can be better absorbed. The idea behind this is that your body will actually absorb the micronutrients and put them to work. Certain micronutrients won’t absorb as well if released in the stomach. 

Ritual offers a monthly subscription service for consistent customers. This ensures that you consistently take your vitamins, and it’s a convenient way to maintain your nutrient intake while saving a few bucks. You cannot make a one-time purchase without subscribing on the company website. However, Ritual vitamins are also available for sale at Target and on Amazon. 

Multivitamins Offered by Ritual

Product	Key Nutrients
Ritual Essential for Women 18+	Folate, omega-3 DHA, vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron, vitamin E, vitamin K2, boron, vitamin E, magnesium
Ritual Essential for Women 50+	Folate, omega-3 DHA, vitamin B12, vitamin D, vitamin E, magnesium, vitamin K2, boron
Prenatal Vitamin	Folate, iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D, biotin, choline, omega-3 DHA, iodine, boron, vitamin E, vitamin K2, magnesium
Postnatal Vitamin	Vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin C, vitamin B12, folate, omega-3 DHA, iron, iodine, zinc, biotin, vitamin E, magnesium, choline, boron, vitamin K2
Ritual Essential for Men 18+	Vitamin A, vitamin D3, vitamin E, folate, vitamin B12, magnesium, zinc, boron, omega-3 DHA, vitamin K2
Ritual Essential for Men 50+	Vitamin A, vitamin D3, vitamin E, folate, vitamin B12, magnesium, zinc, boron, omega-3 DHA, vitamin K2
Ritual Essential for Teens Multivitamin for Her	Omega-3 DHA, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, folate, vitamin B12, iron, magnesium, zinc, vitamin K2
Ritual Essential for Teens Multivitamin for Him	Omega-3 DHA, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, folate, vitamin B12, magnesium, zinc, vitamin K2

Ritual Vitamins In-Depth Review

We have compiled a well-rounded overview of Ritual vitamins by leveraging customer reviews, assessments conducted by our trustworthy Breaking Muscle testers, and my experience as a registered dietitian. In this review, we’ll break down the ingredients, cost, taste, and potential side effects, so you have a better understanding of Ritual vitamins. 

Ingredients and Formulation

Ritual vitamins can provide essential nutrients tailored to different age groups, genders, and life stages. They’re free from additives, artificial ingredients, and questionable fillers, and don’t contain mega doses of nutrients you probably get enough of already. For these reasons, we rated formulation a 4.5 out of 5. 

For expecting mothers, Ritual’s prenatal multivitamin includes key nutrients like folate to support the healthy development of the baby’s neural tube and prevent birth defects. It also includes iron. Iron is vital for oxygen delivery in the body and to the growing baby, as pregnant women are prone to deficiency due to increased blood volume. Additionally, the prenatal multivitamin includes Omega-3 DHA to help foster the baby’s eye and brain development.

As we age, we become more susceptible to fragile bones, making vitamin D, magnesium, boron, and vitamin K especially important for men and women over 50. Omega-3s, also included in the multivitamins for older adults, support brain health, help reduce inflammation associated with chronic disease, and may reduce the risk of cognitive decline. (1)

While many multivitamins exclude iron due to its potential dangers in excess, Ritual recognizes the higher risk of iron deficiency in women due to menstruation and includes it in their teen girls and women’s multivitamin 18+. However, Ritual omits iron from the multivitamin for women 50+ as postmenopausal women are less likely to experience low iron levels.

Ritual’s multivitamin for men 18+ contains omega-3 DHA, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 to fill common dietary gaps, as individuals may not consume these nutrients in sufficient quantities through diet alone. Vitamin D, in particular, holds significance for male athletes who endure increased bone stress from high-impact activities. Vitamin B12 is vital for red blood cell formation, nerve function, and energy metabolism.

RELATED: Weight-Bearing Exercise Leads to Healthier Bones

Many teenagers fall short of essential nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin E, and vitamin D in their diets, which may lack variety during this life stage. Ritual’s teen multivitamins for both boys and girls include these nutrients to bolster immune function, support vision, and enhance bone health.

You may notice that Ritual doesn’t include certain nutrients, like calcium, vitamin C, selenium, or copper in their vitamins. This is because you are likely already getting plenty of these nutrients through the foods you eat. Ritual enforces the idea that consumers should only use vitamins to fill nutrient gaps, not to replace a healthy diet. 

Number of Servings

Every bottle of Ritual vitamins provides a 30-serving supply, with each serving consisting of 2 vegan capsules. We consider this fairly standard, so we rated the number of servings per bottle a 3 out of 5. In comparison, Legion and Transparent Labs vitamins offer the same quantity per bottle, while OLLY offers 45 servings, and Utzy Naturals supplies only 20 servings.

It’s worth noting that some competitors may include more pills per bottle, but it’s essential to factor in the serving size. With Ritual, a daily intake consists of just 2 capsules, while Transparent Labs requires 4 capsules per serving.

Price Per Serving

Ritual vitamins run between $1.10 to $1.30 per serving on the company website, which is mid-range compared to other vitamins. For this reason, we rated the price per serving a solid 3 out of 3. Some multivitamins, like OLLY Multi’s, only cost $0.31, but other more expensive options, like Athletic Green AG1, cost a whopping $2.63 per serving. 

Unlike some other vitamin brands, you can find Ritual vitamins on Amazon for a slightly better deal. At the time of writing, the Ritual Essential for Multivitamin 18+ is available for $1.05 per serving. 

Storage Requirements

Ritual recommends keeping their vitamins in the container in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Many vitamins degrade faster and lose effectiveness when exposed to too much heat, light, oxygen, or humidity. 

Consider keeping them on the counter, in a cabinet, or in your gym bag. Leaving them in a place where you will see them daily could help you take them more consistently. 

Taste and Smell

Ritual capsules are mint essenced to make taking a vitamin more enjoyable. Our Breaking Muscle expert tester who tried the Ritual Essential for Women 18+ vitamin found the taste pleasant and prefers the minty freshness over the typical unflavored pill. Another team member tried the Ritual Essential for Men 50+ and found the mint essence to be a bit much when taking them first thing in the morning. 

Most customer reviews on the Ritual website approve of the taste. However, some feel the capsules smell and taste fishy. While Ritual uses a vegan source of omega-3 DHA, some customers taste the algal oil (oil from marine algae) after taking the vitamins.

RELATED: The Best Vegan Protein Powder 

Swallowability

Customers on the company website say Ritual capsules are “easy to take.” Our team members liked that each serving is only two pills per day and that they can take the pills separately or at the same time. Our tester who tried the Ritual Essential for Women 18+ found the pills to be mid-sized and had no trouble swallowing them.

Potential Side Effects

Some customers who take Ritual vitamins complain of indigestion and fishy burps, which may indicate that the capsule has started to break open and release its contents. The “fishy” taste associated with these burps comes from the omega-3 oils, and while they’re certainly not pleasant, there are ways to reduce them. Try taking them before bed on an empty stomach to experience fewer fish burps.

Our Breaking Muscle testers didn’t notice any uncomfortable side effects after taking Ritual vitamins. Ritual intentionally chooses forms of nutrients that are gentle on the stomach and can be taken without food. One customer review on the Ritual website says, “I take these without food and have not even the slightest queasiness.” Even so, some customers could be sensitive to certain ingredients, like iron, that can lead to stomach pain and discomfort.

RELATED: Does Fish Oil Supplementation Impact Recovery

Third-Party Certifications

Ritual vitamins are USP verified, which means they have undergone rigorous testing and verification processes to ensure they meet specific quality and purity standards. You can rest assured Ritual vitamins contain the ingredients listed on the label and are free from harmful levels of contaminants, such as heavy metals. 

These products are also non-GMO verified, meaning they don’t contain genetically modified organisms whose genetic material has been altered.

Lastly, Ritual vitamins are Certified Carbon-Free. The products have undergone an assessment to calculate their carbon footprint. Then, that footprint has been reduced and offset wherever possible. These sustainability efforts show that Ritual makes choices that positively impact the planet. 

Factors To Consider Before Buying Ritual Vitamins

There’s a lot to take into consideration when choosing the best multivitamin for men or women. You’ll want a high-quality product made with essential nutrients but won’t want to neglect other important considerations like cost and personal health concerns. 

Cost

It’s essential to be mindful of your budget, but when it comes to Ritual, price points are consistent across all adult vitamins. Whether you need a prenatal or a men’s vitamin, all cost $39 per bottle on the Ritual website. Teen vitamins are slightly less at $33 per bottle.

As mentioned before, you can find less costly (and more costly) options. Keep in mind that cheaper vitamins may not always provide quality, highly bioavailable micronutrients. On the flip side, more expensive vitamins may be charging you for an excess of micronutrients your body already gets enough of through diet. 

Nutrient Needs

Consider your current life stage when choosing a Ritual vitamin. There are certain nutrients that become more important during specific times of life, and you want to pick a product that fits your needs. For instance, postmenopausal women are at an increased risk for osteoporosis and heart disease. Taking the Ritual Essential for Women 50+ with vitamin D, vitamin K, boron, and omega-3s may help support bone and heart health. 

Additional Health Concerns

Before starting a new supplement, speak with your healthcare provider about your current health concerns. Some vitamins and minerals could interact with medications or medical conditions. For example, someone taking blood thinners may need to avoid taking too much vitamin K because it can counteract the medication’s intended effects. 

Ritual Vitamins vs. Centrum

Ritual and Centrum are both well-known vitamin brands that aim to provide micronutrients to support overall health. Ritual ingredients are traceable and don’t include unnecessary additives or common food allergens. Centrum isn’t as transparent about ingredient sourcing, and the ingredient lists include artificial food coloring and soy (a common food allergen). 

Centrum multivitamins include more vitamins and minerals than Ritual. The Centrum men’s multivitamin tablet contains 24 micronutrients, whereas Rituals men’s multivitamin includes 10. There are several different Centrum multivitamins to choose from, including gummies, tablets, minis capsules, and those with or without omega-3s. Ritual doesn’t offer as much variety and markets fewer products overall.

Ritual Vitamins vs. Thorne

Ritual and Thorne both share a commitment to quality and transparency. Both offer detailed information about their vitamin’s ingredient sourcing, forms, and manufacturing practices. Ritual vitamins are designed to provide nutrients with a minimalist approach and contain fewer ingredients and products. However, Thorne offers a wider range of supplements and micronutrients targeting athletes, including specialized formulations for various health needs, which may include herbal extracts. 

Ritual Vitamins Customer Reviews

Customer reviews on Ritual’s website are generally very positive. Most customers like the mint flavor, find the pills easy to swallow, and don’t experience nausea or an upset stomach after taking them. One customer says,” Love the ingredients, technology, research, and concept. Vitamins are smooth. They do not upset my empty stomach. I am a fan of the mint flavor. Not too strong. Tastes and smells good. No complaints.”

Customers who don’t like the vitamins complain of indigestion, smell, and taste. A verified customer writes, “It has such a fishy smell and there doesn’t seem to be enough mint to hide this smell and taste.” Ritual representatives suggest taking the pill before bed to avoid the aftertaste.

Final Verdict: Are Ritual Vitamins Worth It?

Ritual is known for its commitment to transparency, quality sourcing, and offering a minimalist approach to vitamins. Their traceable ingredients and focus on micronutrients you may not get enough of through diet alone appeal to health-conscious consumers seeking a quality supplement. Ritual vitamins are considered a premium brand and come with a mid-range price point, but many people find their delayed capsule design, mint flavor, and quality formulations to be worth it. Consider Ritual if you’re looking for a straightforward, no-nonsense multivitamin and prioritize simple ingredients. 

FAQs

Research

1. Molfino A, Gioia G, Rossi Fanelli F, Muscaritoli M. The role for dietary omega-3 fatty acids supplementation in older adults. Nutrients. 2014;6(10):4058-4073. Published 2014 Oct 3. doi:10.3390/nu6104058

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