The desiccant for health supplements should be kept inside the bottle and not taken out.
The small blue or white cylinders you often see in probiotics are desiccants, not preservatives! Do not take them out, do not take them out, do not take them out! Important things need to be said three times.
This type of desiccant is very common in health supplements in Australia, and its "versatility" may also be a problem that puzzles many purchasing agents and consumers. Let's take a look at the different forms of desiccants:
Columnar
Small packets
On the lid
The reason why manufacturers put desiccants in bottles is simple: to prevent moisture. Each time you open the lid and take out the health supplement, "moisture" from the air may enter the bottle. The desiccant will absorb this moisture from the air, helping to keep the bottle dry and preventing the product from deteriorating prematurely. Unless in extreme cases, the desiccant absorbs "excess" water, it may become a "source" of moisture. Unless you throw the entire bottle of health supplements and desiccant into water, under normal use, this situation will not occur.
Health supplements should never be "repackaged" casually!
Rosehip capsules repackaged in medicine boxes have obviously changed color, while those stored in bottles still retain their original color. I suggest that you keep health supplements in their original factory bottles, as the original factory bottles generally have better airtightness, and manufacturers will add desiccant packets to ensure that the products remain dry and do not become damp and deteriorate. Common small medicine boxes are not "airtight" containers, and without the protection of desiccants, the possibility of premature deterioration will be greatly increased.
If you really find the original factory bottle inconvenient to carry, you can choose "airtight" small bottles and only pack the amount needed for one day at a time, packing it once a day. This can prevent the product from deteriorating due to being in the repackaged bottle for too long.
The "harm" of product dampness
The harm of dampness should not be underestimated. The following are some common possibilities:
1. Moisture may accelerate the occurrence of moldy reactions, especially tablet products, which are easily moldy and deteriorate when damp; if you find obvious "black spots" (as shown in the picture above) on the health supplements you purchased, it is likely that mold has occurred. In this case, do not continue to take them;
2. Moisture will destroy the chemical integrity of the supplement, causing it to lose its chemical activity, which will undoubtedly affect the product's effectiveness.
3. Moisture will "activate" the probiotics produced by freeze-drying technology, causing them to "die" prematurely, so when you eat them...well, they will be useless.
When taking health supplements, after each opening, tighten the lid as soon as possible and store them in a cool and dry place. The storage temperature of health supplements should generally not exceed 30 degrees. In addition, do not buy "large bottles" just to save money. In fact, small bottles of health supplements are less prone to deterioration and are the most effective. If you buy large bottles, remember to finish them within 6 months after opening; for freeze-dried probiotic products, finish them within 3 months after opening. Some easily overlooked details are actually closely related to the effectiveness of the product and even our health.
