How RagaBase Scores Supplements & Ingredients
RagaBase is an independent research project that compiles and publishes summaries of scientific evidence from public sources — to help everyday consumers make more informed decisions. Every score is based on published human research and product label dosages, not on paid rankings or brand partnerships.
The 4 Core Aspects
What Do We Score?
Every supplement ingredient form is rated on a 1–10 scale across four easy-to-understand criteria.
Body Absorption
How easily can your body absorb it?
Not all forms of a vitamin or mineral are absorbed equally well. We rate how effectively an ingredient form actually enters your bloodstream so your body can use it, rather than passing right through.
What We Check: Human absorption studies and blood-nutrient response trials in healthy adults.
Scientific Proof
Are its benefits proven in real people?
We check whether the claimed health benefits have been tested directly in human clinical trials with consistent results — not just in test tubes or animal studies.
What We Check: Peer-reviewed human clinical trials and combined research reviews.
Safety Profile
Is it safe at recommended doses?
A higher score (up to 10) means a strong track record of safety and everyday tolerability when taken at standard recommended amounts by healthy adults.
What We Check: Official safety assessments from public health agencies (FDA, EFSA, NIH, WHO, and BPOM).
Real-World Value
Is this form genuinely better than alternatives?
The specific form of an ingredient can affect how well it performs. Here we assess whether a particular form actually shows a measurable difference — in absorption, effectiveness, or digestive comfort — compared to standard alternatives, based on direct comparison studies.
What We Check: Direct head-to-head comparison studies on effectiveness and digestive comfort.
Final Score Calculation
How We Calculate Scores & Check Label Doses
An ingredient's overall score is the simple average of the four aspects above (rounded to the nearest whole number). If an aspect does not yet have enough public research (scored 0), we leave it out of the average so the score stays fair.
Final Score = Average of the 4 Scored Aspects
Simple Calculation Example
Product Label Check
Does the Product Contain Enough to Work?
Even a well-evidenced ingredient may not deliver its studied effect if the product contains less than the effective dose used in research. On every product page, we compare the amount listed on the package label against the minimum effective amount established in human studies.
The serving size meets or exceeds the effective amount used in human clinical studies.
The serving size is lower than the standard amount typically used in clinical research.
How to Read Our Ratings
What the Numbers Mean & How We Weigh Research
A quick reference to understand what each 1–10 score means in plain language.
Score Guide (1–10)
| Score | Category | Badge | What It Means for You |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9–10 | Very Strong | 9/10 | Backed by multiple independent human studies with consistent results and strong absorption. |
| 7–8 | Good | 7/10 | Supported by solid human research, though with fewer total studies or smaller participant groups. |
| 5–6 | Moderate | 5/10 | Promising human evidence exists, but study results are mixed or need further confirmation. |
| 3–4 | Limited Data | 3/10 | Direct human research is still very small; most evidence comes from early-stage studies. |
| 1–2 | Minimal Data | 1/10 | Very little published human clinical data is available, or absorption is relatively low compared to alternative forms. |
4 Levels of Scientific Evidence
Not all studies are equal. We prioritize research tested directly in humans.
Combined Reviews of Multiple Human Trials
Combines results from many independent human trials (Meta-Analyses & Systematic Reviews) for the most reliable conclusion.
Direct Human Clinical Trials (RCTs)
Tests the ingredient directly in people compared against a placebo group under controlled conditions.
Population & Observational Studies
Tracks long-term health habits in large groups of people, useful for safety trends but cannot prove cause-and-effect alone.
Lab & Animal Studies
Explains early biological mechanisms only. No ingredient can score above 2/10 on RagaBase without human studies.
Scoring Principles
The Principles Behind RagaBase
Three guidelines that keep RagaBase consistent, transparent, and open to correction.
Scores Are Based on Data, Not Sponsorship
No brand can pay to raise a score or alter a review. Store links (affiliate links) may help cover running costs, but play no role in how scores are calculated.
Manufacturer-Funded Study Notice
When a substantial portion of an ingredient's available studies are funded by its own manufacturer, we display a clear notice on the page. This potential funding bias is one of several factors considered when assigning the Scientific Proof score.
Verified Sources & Open to Corrections
We rely strictly on published scientific journals — never marketing brochures or personal testimonials. Scores are updated when new human studies or formula changes are published.
Important Legal & Medical Notice
Medical Disclaimer & Legal Terms
1. Educational Information Only — Not Medical Advice
All information, scores, and reviews on RagaBase are provided solely for general consumer education and informational purposes, and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Everyone's body and health needs are different. RagaBase is not liable for any purchasing decisions, adverse reactions, or health outcomes resulting from the use of this information. Always consult a physician or qualified healthcare provider before taking any supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or take prescription medications.
2. Independent Scientific Opinion, Non-Defamation & Right of Correction
All ratings and comparisons on RagaBase represent independent, good-faith educational evaluations based on publicly available scientific literature and official product label information at the time of review — they are not statements of absolute fact intended to disparage, discredit, or defame any brand or manufacturer. A lower score simply reflects limited published human clinical data under our scoring rubric, and does not imply that a product is unsafe, counterfeit, or non-compliant with regulatory standards (such as BPOM or FDA). We respect all manufacturers and welcome requests to review newly published clinical data or updated product labels.