Why You Should Open Source Your Ingredients (And Their Dosages)

TL;DR

Keeping your recipe locked up might feel like a smart move, but sharing your ingredients—and the right amounts—could actually make people love your brand more. Transparency builds trust, gets people talking, and proves that your product is worth buying (instead of just being a mystery). Plus, if people try to copy it, they’ll realize there’s more to a great product than just throwing together a list of ingredients.

And let’s not forget dosages. Giving the exact amounts isn’t just about generosity—it’s about safety, consistency, and making sure your food, supplement, or drink actually works the way it’s supposed to.

The Full Breakdown

1. Trust Comes From More Than Just a List

Slapping an ingredient list on the back of a package isn’t enough anymore. People want to know exactly what they’re eating, and they’re tired of vague labels that hide behind legal loopholes. If someone sees “proprietary blend” on a label, chances are they’re rolling their eyes and looking for a brand that actually tells them what’s inside.

This is especially true for supplements, functional foods, and anything marketed as “healthy.” The dosage of vitamins, minerals, or active compounds matters—too little and it’s useless, too much and it could actually be harmful. If a company is hiding dosages, consumers have every right to wonder why.

2. The Right Amount Makes the Difference

Think about a great dish. Sure, you can list “salt” in the ingredients, but how much? A pinch? A tablespoon? The difference between a perfectly seasoned meal and something inedible is the dosage.

The same thing applies to functional foods and drinks. A green tea beverage that just says “matcha” but doesn’t say how much? That’s suspicious. A protein bar that claims it has “collagen” but doesn’t tell you the amount? It’s probably not enough to make a difference.

When brands don’t disclose dosages, people assume the worst. It’s either so little that it’s just a marketing gimmick, or so much that they don’t want to admit it. Transparency flips that narrative—when you share the real numbers, people trust you more.

3. “But Won’t People Just Copy Us?”

This is the biggest fear, right? That some competitor will swoop in, copy your exact formula, and steal your customers. But here’s the thing: recipes aren’t just ingredients and numbers. Execution, sourcing, and brand loyalty matter more.

Think about top chefs who publish their recipes. Even when they give you every single step, their restaurant is still packed. Why? Because people want their version. The same goes for packaged food and supplements. A company might copy your numbers, but they can’t copy your sourcing, your quality control, or your brand’s reputation.

And let’s be honest—if someone really wants to figure out your formula, they will. There are labs that reverse-engineer products all the time. The only thing secrecy does is make your brand look sketchy.

4. Proper Dosages Make Your Product More Credible

Ever seen a supplement that claims to boost focus but only has 5mg of an ingredient when studies say you need 300mg? That’s the kind of thing that kills credibility. When you openly share dosages, you’re proving that you actually did your homework. You’re not just throwing buzzwords on a label—you’re backing it up with real science.

This is especially important in wellness spaces. Whether it’s adaptogens, nootropics, or protein blends, consumers are savvier than ever. They’re checking research, reading forums, and calling out companies that try to get away with “fairy dust” amounts of active ingredients.

If your product is solid, you have nothing to hide. If anything, sharing your dosages shows that you know what you’re doing—and that you actually care about delivering results.

5. Transparency = A Better Relationship With Customers

Consumers are smart. They can smell nonsense from a mile away. If you try to dodge questions about what’s really in your product (or how much of each ingredient you actually use), they’ll move on to a brand that respects them enough to be honest.

But if you’re upfront? That creates loyalty. That gets people excited about your product. That makes them feel like they’re part of something real—not just another faceless brand.

And when customers trust you, they talk about you. They recommend you. They defend you when copycats pop up. That’s how you build a brand that actually lasts.

Research Roundup

If you want to go deeper, here are some studies and articles worth checking out:

• Consumer Trust and Transparency in Food Labeling – A look at how clear ingredient and dosage labeling affects buying behavior. Read more
• The Science of Dosages in Functional Foods – Research on how specific ingredient amounts impact effectiveness. Read more
• Why Proprietary Blends Undermine Consumer Confidence – A study on how lack of transparency in supplements affects trust. Read more

Final Thought

At the end of the day, the best brands don’t hide. They prove they’re worth buying. Sharing your ingredients (and the exact amounts) isn’t just about honesty—it’s about showing that your product actually works. If your dosages are legit, transparency isn’t a risk—it’s your biggest flex. 

At BeElevated, we lay it all out—every ingredient, every dosage, no secrets, no gimmicks. We’re not here to hide behind mystery formulas—we’re here to give you the good stuff, exactly as it should be. Because when you know exactly what you're getting, you can trust that it's made to actually do something. Real ingredients, real transparency, real impact—that’s what we’re all about.