We all try our best to lead a healthy life. Whether that means taking the stairs instead of the elevator or opting for a salad over pizza at lunchtime, there are plenty of small choices we make that can add up to big benefits. But even the healthiest of people can sometimes run into gaps in their nutrition, and that’s where supplementation can be helpful. The best women’s multivitamins cover all the essential vitamins and nutrients a person could need.
Multivitamins are carefully formulated to bolster nutrition, filling in gaps that may be missed through one’s diet or lifestyle. And women’s multivitamins are made with the unique needs of the female body in mind, with many brands also offering tailored products for prenatal, postnatal, and 50+ women. With so many vitamins working together for optimal performance, taking a daily multivitamin is a great way to gain some extra peace of mind about your daily nutritional intake.
According to the CDC, nearly six in 10 Americans regularly took dietary supplements in 2018. And while supplements can never replace a healthy diet and consistent exercise, studies show that the amount of certain vitamins in your body can have a major impact on your overall wellbeing. A recent study by Brazilian scientists found that a vitamin D deficiency can lead to a massive 78 percent drop in muscle strength. But having enough vitamin D can have countless benefits, from preventing harmful inflammation to treating depression. Vitamin B6, studies suggest, may help to reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. Researchers from the University of Reading in England report that young adults taking a dose 50 times the recommended daily dose reported feeling less anxious and depressed after a month.
These are just a small sampling of the many benefits of proper nutrition and supplementation. But of course, with so many on the market, it can be difficult to identify the best to meet your unique needs. To help narrow down your search, StudyFinds did the research for you. We searched the internet for 10 expert websites to find their suggestions of the best women’s multivitamins. These five are the most frequently recommended, but if you have a favorite that we missed, be sure to let us know in the comments below!
The List: Best Multivitamins for Women, According to Experts
1. Ritual Essential for Women 18+
Our top pick packs a science-backed nutritional punch with its aesthetically pleasing pills. And with Ritual’s convenient subscription options, it’s easy to make sure you never run out of your daily dose of extra vitamins and minerals. “The patented delayed-release capsule contains high-quality nutrients including omega-3 DHA from microalgae, vitamin D3 from lichen, and methylated folate,” says a Vogue reviewer. “It’s USP verified, Non-GMO Project verified and, in a peer-reviewed clinical trial, was shown to increase vitamin D and omega-3 DHA levels in 12 weeks.”
If the thought of taking a daily pill sounds both nauseating and like a headache to keep up with, Ritual has got you covered. “A subscription-based multivitamin is perfect if you take multivitamins consistently and prefer the convenience of home delivery,” notes Verywell Fit. “The delayed-release capsule design and mint flavoring help to reduce nausea associated with taking supplements.”
As an added benefit, Ritual is committed to transparency (and not just for their pill capsules). “What sets Ritual apart from others on this list is their commitment to traceability and quality sourcing, which stood out to our registered dietitians,” adds Good Housekeeping. “You can learn about each ingredient in the multi as well as where it is sourced from and why on their website.”
2. Nature Made Multi for Her
A familiar drugstore favorite, Nature Made vitamins are easy on the wallet while still providing great nutritional support. Even better, with 300 pills in each bottle, you can go months without needing to do a restock. “Even though this choice comes at a far lower price than any others on our list, it doesn’t sacrifice quality,” Good Housekeeping says. “Upwards of 23 different nutrients designed to make up for any nutrition shortfalls are contained in this budget-friendly formula.”
One of the most important distinctions in a women’s multivitamin is its iron content. Over the course of a menstrual cycle, women lose iron, and supplementation is a great way to ensure maintenance of healthy levels. As Healthline adds, “notably, it contains 100% of the DV for iron in the highly absorbable form ferrous fumarate, making this a great option for menstruating women.”
Thanks to its United States Pharmacopeia (USP) certification, users can be assured that their daily vitamins have been made with the highest of quality standards. “USP is a rigorous third-party certification that shows that this multi contains what it says it contains without harmful contaminants,” notes Verywell Fit. “They’re also gluten-free and void of added colors and artificial flavors.”
3. Garden of Life mykind Organics Women’s Once Daily
If you don’t feel like taking multiple pills with your morning coffee, this may be the choice for you. As the name suggests, these vitamins are a true one-a-day, with tons of nutrients packed into one single pill. “This whole foods-based multivitamin is our pick as the best overall thanks to its high quality ingredients, comprehensive formulation, and third-party testing,” says Healthline. “It also has more than 11,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.”
“A top pick with our team of registered dietitians, this multivitamin from mykind is organic and made from whole foods including a variety of fruits and vegetables,” Good Housekeeping states. “A serving of these certified vegan tablets provides 50% of your daily value (DV) for iron, as well as at least 100% of your daily value for vitamins A, C, D, E and K, plus a slew of B vitamins including B12.”
On top of its wholesome list of ingredients, Garden of Life vitamins are produced with high standards for quality. “This product is also certified organic and is vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, and free of synthetic binders and fillers,” Byrdie says. “Tests previously conducted by Consumer Lab indicated this brand was free of heavy metals and any disintegration, and that it contains the amount of nutrients claimed on its ingredients label,” adds Good Housekeeping.
4. OLLY The Perfect Women’s Multi
For those who can’t (or simply prefer not to) swallow pills, OLLY offers gummy vitamins that make nutritional support more delicious than ever. With a delightful berry flavor and an expertly chosen blend of vitamins, any woman can easily add an extra boost of nutrition to her diet. “This OLLY pick is a tasty gummy vitamin that makes bridging your dietary gaps that much easier,” claims Vogue. “Not to mention it’s enriched with a blend of vitamins A, B, C, D, E, biotin, and folic acid to support mental energy, glowing skin, and strong bones.”
“Ideal for picky eaters or for those that have a hard time swallowing pills, this product is a great way to support your nutrient intake if your diet is less than perfect,” adds Byrdie. “There are 90 gummies per bottle which is a 45-day supply. As a bonus, we love that there are only 2 grams of sugar per serving.”
If remembering to take your vitamins proves a challenge, the yummy package this supplement comes in may prove to be a helpful incentive. “Many users on the product website say they enjoy the flavor of these gummies, which could help with adherence to taking this gummy multivitamin regularly,” Sports Illustrated says. And as an added bonus, “all colors, flavors and sweeteners are derived from fruits, vegetables and herbs.”
5. Care/of The Foundation Multivitamin
Formulated with the unique needs of women in mind, The Foundation multivitamin is a powerful blend enriched with extra iron. Even better, Care/of offers subscriptions that make it so you never have to run to the pharmacy to buy your next bottle. “Housed in convenient daily packs shipped right to your door, Care/of’s supplements take the guesswork out of your daily vitamin intake,” says Vogue. “Containing vitamins D3, K2, and B12, this looks to fill nutritional gaps often found in a typical American diet.”
“It contains less than 100% of the Daily Value (DV) of several nutrients because it’s meant to fill nutrient gaps in your diet rather than to serve as the sole source of those nutrients,” adds Healthline. “However, vitamin B12, vitamin D3, and folate are included at or above 100% of the DV, as women’s diets are often low in these nutrients.”
If your supplementation needs go beyond just one multivitamin, Care/of has you covered. Its unique personalization model allows you to take a brief quiz that will match you with a variety of supplements and ship them all together in one convenient pack. “Your daily dose of vitamin supplements is personalized based on your Care/of health questionnaire results,” CNET notes. “The assessment includes questions about your sex, age and overall health.”
You might also be interested in:
- Best Men’s Multivitamins
- Best Children’s Multivitamins
- Best Vitamins for Energy
- Best Vitamins for Your Immune System
Sources:
- Healthline
- Byrdie
- Forbes
- Sports Illustrated
- Verywell Fit
- Vogue
- Medical News Today
- Good Housekeeping
- CNET
- Business Insider
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links.
