Liquid flaxseed oil contains the same oil, but the capsule format removes several practical problems that come with a bottle.
- No bitter aftertaste. When liquid oil is poured onto a spoon, it is exposed to air and begins to oxidise; that oxidation is what produces a bitter, off taste. The oil inside a sealed capsule is not in contact with air until you swallow it, which is why the manufacturer notes there is no bitter aftertaste with the capsules.
- A fixed dose every time. Each capsule contains exactly 0.3 g of oil. With liquid you have to estimate a spoonful; with capsules the portion is already measured, which also makes it easy to keep track of how much you take in a day.
- No oily texture or smell. Some people find the taste, smell or oily mouthfeel of liquid flaxseed oil hard to get past. A small soft gel is swallowed whole with water, so the oil does not come into direct contact with your taste buds.
- Easy to carry. The pencil-style plastic case fits in a bag or drawer and protects the capsules from light, so it is simpler to keep taking the capsules when you are at work or travelling.
One limitation: a capsule fixes your portion, so you cannot pour half a dose if you ever want less. For most people the sealed, pre-measured format outweighs that.
Store the capsules in the original case in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat. Keeping the oil sealed and out of light slows oxidation, which is what makes oils turn rancid over time.