What Kind of Magnesium Does Ritual Use?

November 27, 2025 •

3 min read

According to Ritual's ingredient information, the brand uses specific, highly bioavailable forms of magnesium, including magnesium bisglycinate chelate and dimagnesium malate, depending on the product. This careful selection is designed for optimal absorption and digestive comfort, addressing common issues associated with less effective magnesium forms.

Quick Summary

Ritual incorporates magnesium bisglycinate chelate in its Magnesium+ drink mix for relaxation and uses dimagnesium malate within its foundational multivitamins. Both are chelated forms, chosen for superior bioavailability and gastrointestinal tolerance compared to cheaper, poorly absorbed alternatives like magnesium oxide.

Key Points

Bisglycinate Chelate: For its new Magnesium+ powder, Ritual uses magnesium bisglycinate chelate, a highly bioavailable form bound to the calming amino acid glycine.
Dimagnesium Malate: Within its multivitamin formulas, including Essential for Women, Ritual includes dimagnesium malate, which supports cellular energy production.
Chelated for Bioavailability: Both bisglycinate and malate are chelated magnesiums, which are designed for superior absorption by the body compared to standard forms like magnesium oxide.
Gentle on the Stomach: A key reason for choosing these chelated forms is their gentle effect on the digestive system, minimizing the laxative effects common with other magnesium supplements.
Targeted Benefits: The selection of each magnesium form aligns with the product's purpose; bisglycinate for relaxation and malate for energy support.
Includes Tart Cherry: The Magnesium+ powder also contains Montmorency tart cherry, which is clinically studied for supporting sleep and muscle recovery.

Ritual is known for its focus on clean, traceable ingredients, and its approach to magnesium is no exception. Instead of a single form, the brand strategically uses different magnesium compounds across its product line to match specific wellness goals. For their popular Magnesium+ powder, the choice is magnesium bisglycinate chelate, while their foundational multivitamin products utilize dimagnesium malate. This targeted strategy ensures a high-quality, easily absorbed form of the essential mineral, regardless of the intended use.

Magnesium Bisglycinate in Ritual Magnesium+

For its Magnesium+ drink mix, Ritual uses a chelated form known as magnesium bisglycinate. The term "chelated" means the magnesium mineral is bound to another molecule, in this case, two molecules of the amino acid glycine. Glycine is known for its calming properties, which complements magnesium's role in relaxation and sleep. This specific pairing makes magnesium bisglycinate a top choice for individuals looking to support restful sleep, ease mental fatigue, and promote muscle recovery.

Benefits of magnesium bisglycinate:

High Bioavailability: The chelated structure makes it easier for the body to absorb and utilize the magnesium, unlike poorly absorbed forms such as magnesium oxide.
Gentle on Digestion: The chelation process protects the digestive system from the laxative effects often caused by other magnesium supplements.
Calming Effect: Glycine itself has calming effects on the brain, supporting the relaxation benefits of magnesium.

Dimagnesium Malate in Ritual Multivitamins

In its multivitamins, such as the Essential for Women and Essential Prenatal formulas, Ritual includes dimagnesium malate. This compound consists of magnesium bound to malic acid, which plays a crucial role in cellular energy production. This form is a fitting choice for multivitamins, as it offers the benefits of magnesium while also supporting overall energy metabolism. Like bisglycinate, dimagnesium malate is a chelated form, ensuring superior absorption and minimizing digestive upset.

Benefits of dimagnesium malate:

Energy Production: Malic acid, a component of the Krebs cycle, supports ATP energy production in the body.
High Absorption: As a chelated form, it is well-absorbed by the body and avoids the low bioavailability issues of inorganic salts.
Muscle Support: It is well-regarded for its role in supporting muscle function and recovery, reducing muscle pain and fatigue.

Comparison of Common Magnesium Forms

Choosing the right magnesium depends on your specific health goals, as each form offers different benefits and characteristics. Here is a comparison of the types Ritual uses against more common forms.


Feature	Magnesium Bisglycinate (Ritual)	Dimagnesium Malate (Ritual)	Magnesium Oxide	Magnesium Citrate
Absorption	Superior; bound to glycine for efficient uptake.	High; chelated with malic acid for good absorption.	Poor; low bioavailability, with a small percentage absorbed.	Moderate to High; good solubility but can have a laxative effect.
Primary Use	Relaxation, sleep, anxiety, muscle cramps.	Energy production, muscle function, overall vitality.	Constipation relief, antacid; not ideal for correcting deficiency.	Digestive support, constipation relief; also used for relaxation.
Digestive Impact	Gentle on the stomach; low risk of laxative effects.	Gentle on the stomach; well-tolerated.	High risk of laxative effects and digestive distress.	Can cause laxative effects, especially at higher doses.
Best For	Wind-down routine, stress management, sleep support.	General wellness, energy support, muscle health.	Occasional use for constipation or heartburn.	Promoting bowel regularity and general supplementation.

Why Quality of Magnesium Matters

For a mineral involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, the quality and form of magnesium are critical for achieving health benefits. Poorly absorbed, inorganic forms like magnesium oxide often pass through the digestive system unused, causing discomfort and failing to address a deficiency effectively. By choosing chelated forms like bisglycinate and malate, Ritual ensures that the magnesium is delivered in a form that the body can readily use, minimizing side effects and maximizing efficacy. This commitment to bioavailability and transparency is a core part of Ritual's brand philosophy. To learn more about Ritual's product formulations, you can visit their website.

Conclusion

Ritual's use of specific, chelated forms of magnesium—bisglycinate in its Magnesium+ powder and dimagnesium malate in its multivitamins—reflects a strategic and science-backed approach to supplementation. These highly bioavailable forms are gentle on the digestive system and are chosen for their specific benefits, such as promoting relaxation for sleep or supporting cellular energy. This attention to detail ensures that customers receive an effective product designed for optimal absorption and positive health outcomes. Ultimately, Ritual's choice of magnesium underscores the company's commitment to quality, efficacy, and ingredient transparency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ritual's Magnesium+ powder contains magnesium bisglycinate chelate. This form is bound to the amino acid glycine, which enhances absorption and is known for its calming properties.

No, Ritual uses different types of magnesium depending on the product. While Magnesium+ features bisglycinate, Ritual's Essential for Women and Prenatal multivitamins contain dimagnesium malate.

Ritual uses chelated forms of magnesium because they are highly bioavailable, meaning the body can absorb and use them more effectively. This also makes them gentler on the digestive system compared to less bioavailable forms.

Yes, magnesium bisglycinate is significantly more bioavailable than magnesium oxide. Magnesium oxide is poorly absorbed by the body and often used as a laxative, while bisglycinate is well-absorbed and better for correcting a magnesium deficiency.

Ritual recommends taking Magnesium+ about 30–60 minutes before bedtime. This timing allows you to benefit from the mind and muscle relaxation properties of the magnesium and tart cherry to support a restful night's sleep.

Yes, Ritual's Magnesium+ is designed to be safe for use during pregnancy and postpartum. However, as with any supplement, Ritual advises consulting with a healthcare provider before using the product, especially if you are pregnant or nursing.

Magnesium bisglycinate is effective for sleep because magnesium promotes mind and muscle relaxation, while the amino acid glycine has its own calming effect on the nervous system. This combination helps to unwind and support sleep quality.