Introduction

Walk down any supplement aisle and you will find dozens of packs promising more energy, each with a slightly different list of extracts, vitamins and minerals on the back. Working out which ones are worth buying starts with understanding what is actually printed on the label, rather than what the front of the box claims.

Crucial Criteria to Look For

A good energy capsule should list each active ingredient by name and amount, not hide it behind a vague 'proprietary blend'. Look for whole extracts rather than isolated compounds stripped of their natural context, and check whether the pack states a clear daily dose rather than leaving it to guesswork.

• Named actives: each ingredient should appear with a specific milligram amount, not just a blend name.
• Extraction method: cold-milled or low-heat processing tends to preserve more of a root extract's natural compounds than high-heat methods.
• Batch information: a batch code and best-before date on the pack is a simple sign of basic quality control.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many mass-market packs rely on cheap bulking agents to fill out a capsule, with very little of the named active ingredient actually present. Others print impressive-sounding numbers without specifying whether that figure refers to the raw plant material or the concentrated extract, which makes genuine comparison almost impossible.

Expert Recommendations

Before buying, compare the ingredient list against the price per capsule, not just the price per pack. A slightly more expensive pack with a clearly stated, properly dosed extract is usually better value than a cheaper one padded out with filler.