Sarah Hyland's Sourse Chocolates Are Officially My Fave New Supplement

Courtesy of Sourse
Courtesy of Sourse
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Taking supplements in pill form isn't an easy task — after all, swallowing a big, bland-tasting capsule whole is not exactly an enjoyable experience. So, when I heard about new dark-chocolate-infused supplements called Sourse, I thought they might make taking my supplements a bit more tolerable.

I learned that Sourse is a wellness brand cofounded by actress Sarah Hyland. She joined the team as a cofounder and creative director in 2021 with hopes to "develop life-changing products that benefit everyone who tries them." She said in a press release, "I have poured my heart and soul into creating this sweet treat with wellness in mind."

Currently, there are five products you can pick from: Beauty Bites, which contain biotin for "stronger, longer hair and nails"; Energy Bites, which contain caffeine and L-theanine for "calm energy"; Glow Bites, which contain plant-based collagen for "hydrated smooth skin"; Hype Bites, which contain vitamin B12 for "energy, clarity, and focus"; and Mood Bites, which contain saffron and vitamin D for a "balanced mood." All of the bites are vegan and gluten free and contain a dark-chocolate center blended with key ingredients.

Each ingredient has its own benefits (more on that below), and the dark-chocolate component also serves a function. Dark chocolate is derived from cocoa-tree seeds, which, according to family-medicine doctor Carrie Lam, MD, are one of the best sources of flavonoids and antioxidants. Dr. Lam tells POPSUGAR that flavonoids "aid in protecting your skin from UVB damage." Dana Ellis Hunnes, PhD, MPH, RD, senior dietitian at RR-UCLA Medical Center, says that flavonoids in dark chocolate can help "arteries produce nitric oxide, which can help open up arteries and lower blood pressure."

Dr. Lam says "dark chocolate should be consumed in moderation," and the recommended serving for each bag of Sourse supplements is two pieces.

Considering all the benefits and product options, I of course said yes when the Sourse team asked me if I'd like to try the entire line of bites. Read on to learn what I thought of each product and how the supplements made me feel — both right away and after a couple of weeks.

Sourse Beauty Bites
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Sourse Beauty Bites

The Beauty Bites ($34) are a hair, skin, and nails supplement formulated with 1,000 micrograms of biotin. What's so great about biotin, you ask? Well, "some people find that taking a biotin supplement helps them boost hair and nail growth," registered dietitian Courtney Barth, RD, wrote in a Cleveland Clinic post. For obvious reasons, I was excited to try it.

I didn't notice any immediate change in my nails or hair in the first couple of days after taking the supplements. However, after taking this product every day for a couple of weeks, I noticed that my nails were growing without peeling at the top, which was a win in my book. While I didn't notice any significant changes to my skin or hair at the two-week mark, I still totally plan on finishing the bag, since my nails seem to be benefiting from these bites.

Sourse Energy Bites
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Sourse Energy Bites

Newer to Sourse's lineup are Energy Bites ($34). These bites are meant to provide a balanced boost of energy without the crash you sometimes get after sugar or coffee. They contain 60 milligrams of caffeine from green tea and 100 milligrams of L-theanine, an amino acid found in tea leaves that, according to the National Library of Medicine, can help ease stress.

The bites gave me the same energy I'd get from a morning cup of tea — but without the caffeine crash. (We love to see it.) They're a sugar-free way for me to ease into my day with more energy, rather than sluggishly logging onto my computer for work without any caffeine. Unfortunately, these bites didn't give me all-day energy — I felt sluggish in the afternoon even after taking them in the morning — but I'm going to keep eating them as a caffeine replacement.

Sourse Glow Bites
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Sourse Glow Bites

Next in the lineup are the collagen-powered Glow Bites ($34), which contain 30 milligrams of the brand's trademarked "ceramosides phytoceramides." Ceramosides phytoceramides is a "gluten-free ceramides blend derived from wheat," according to the Sourse site. "Ceramides are essentially the glue that holds skin cells together to keep the skin barrier healthy and intact," board-certified dermatologist DiAnne Davis, MD, FAAD, previously told POPSUGAR. "A healthy skin barrier, with the help of ceramides, helps to seal in moisture and keep out impurities."

I didn't see an instant glow after taking these bites, but I definitely noticed that my skin looked more plump and lifted after I'd taken Glow Bites every morning for two weeks. (Usually, my face droops a little bit if I don't take collagen, so there was definitely a difference.) Even though I didn't necessarily see any miraculous changes to my skin, I'm still going to finish the bag — I enjoy chomping on a couple of dark-chocolate bites.

Sourse Hype Bites
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Sourse Hype Bites

The Energy Bites are my favorite option for easing into the day, but Sourse's Hype Bites ($34) are great for when I need an extra punch of energy. The Energy Bites gave me more of a buildup and a sustained amount of energy (like driving down a highway), while the Hype Bites were more like getting launched into space. In other words, they were good for when I needed that slap-across-the-face energy kick, whereas the Energy Bites were great for sprinkling throughout the day in place of a cup of coffee or tea.

The reason for this energy boost? The 500 micrograms of vitamin B12 in the Hype Bites formula. According to the National Institute of Health, if you don't consume enough vitamin B12, "you may feel tired or weak."

Sourse Mood Bites
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Sourse Mood Bites

Last — but not least — are the Mood Bites ($34), which contain 30 milligrams of saffron (aka Crocus sativus L.). Saffron is widely used as a medicinal plant to promote human health, according to a study published by the National Library of Medicine. When I took them, I felt chill but not quite sleepy. I typically took two toward the middle or end of my workday to help me transition out of work mode. I'd feel calmer within half an hour — a state that would last for several hours. I could feel my shoulder tension ease up and (figuratively) feel my brain soften. I'd experience those same soothing effects over the course of a couple of weeks.