Magnesium citrate vs magnesium glycinate

At a glance

In the magnesium citrate vs glycinate choice, the first difference is content. Trimagnesium dicitrate carries 16.2 % magnesium and magnesium glycinate 14.1 %, both on an anhydrous basis. For the same label claim, glycinate needs about 15 % more powder: 709 mg against 619 mg per 100 mg of magnesium. Citrate is the usual pick for effervescent and drink formats, while glycinate is often chosen for capsules and unflavoured powders.

Content per gram and label-claim arithmetic

Powder mass equals the label claim divided by the elemental fraction. Both figures below use the anhydrous values from the specification data.

Label claim of 100 mg magnesium per serving

• Magnesium citrate: 100 ÷ 0.162 gives about 619 mg of trimagnesium dicitrate.
• Magnesium glycinate: 100 ÷ 0.141 gives about 709 mg.
• Difference: about 90 mg of powder per serving.

Label claim of 300 mg magnesium per serving

• Trimagnesium dicitrate: about 1,857 mg.
• Magnesium glycinate: about 2,127 mg.
• Difference: about 270 mg, which can decide whether a serving fits in fewer capsules or a smaller tablet.

Two points change these numbers in practice. Trimagnesium dicitrate is also traded in hydrated grades, which contain less magnesium per gram than the anhydrous figure. Products sold as magnesium glycinate or bisglycinate also differ: some are blended or buffered with other magnesium salts, which raises the magnesium content above 14.1 %. Always recalculate with the magnesium content on the certificate of analysis for the lot. The elemental content calculator and the overage calculator handle both steps.

Solubility, taste and processing

Trimagnesium dicitrate dissolves readily in acidic systems. That makes it a common magnesium source in effervescent tablets and drink powders built on citric acid. Its sour note fits citrus flavours but needs masking in neutral products. Granular grades are used for direct compression and fine powders for blending. Anhydrous grades can take up moisture, so sealed storage matters.

Magnesium glycinate has a milder taste, with the sweet note of glycine. That suits unflavoured capsules and powders. Buffered grades that contain other magnesium salts can taste more alkaline or chalky. Flow and bulk density vary by grade and decide how much fits in each capsule.

In tablets, the higher powder mass of glycinate plus binders leads to larger tablets for the same claim. Neither form has one water-solubility figure that holds across grades and hydrates. The specification sheet states solubility, flow and bulk density where they are controlled, and SoleChem supplies it with the quote.

EU regulatory status

Annex II of Directive 2002/46/EC lists the mineral substances permitted in food supplements. It includes magnesium salts of citric acid, which covers trimagnesium dicitrate. It also lists magnesium bisglycinate. The substance named on the specification must match the listed substance; the permitted forms guide explains how to check.

The label declares the amount of magnesium as the element in mg, not the mass of the salt. The labelling guide covers the format. The EU has not set harmonised maximum levels for magnesium in food supplements, so member states apply national limits. See maximum levels by EU country.

Use of magnesium citrate as a food additive falls under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008. That is a separate question from its use as a nutrient source. Authorised claim wording for magnesium is in the EU Register of nutrition and health claims; the health-claims guide explains the conditions of use.

Choosing between them

• Magnesium per unit: citrate needs less powder for the same claim, which helps when capsule volume or tablet size is the limit.
• Format: effervescent tablets and drink powders favour citrate. Unflavoured capsules and neutral powders often favour glycinate.
• Taste: citrate brings acidity; glycinate is milder unless buffered.
• Cost: citrate is generally the lower-cost source per milligram of magnesium.
• Label name: the ingredient list must name the substance actually used, so the choice shows on pack.

Combining both forms makes sense when you want glycinate on the label but cannot fit the full claim. For a 300 mg claim split equally, 150 mg from each needs about 929 mg of trimagnesium dicitrate and 1,064 mg of glycinate. The total is about 1,993 mg, against 2,127 mg for glycinate alone. Declare the total magnesium and list both substances.

If cost per milligram outweighs taste, compare magnesium oxide vs magnesium citrate as well. The magnesium forms overview covers every form side by side. State the hydrate and whether you need a buffered or unbuffered glycinate in the quote form.