A pilot trial comparing the availability of vitamins C, B6, and B12 from a vitamin-fortified water and food source in humans.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: In a cross-over randomized pilot study, the relative absorption of vitamins C, B(6) and B(12) were tested using a commercial vitamin-water (VW) and a standardized mixed meal (MM). METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Twelve adults (22.9+/-3.7 years), received the VW and the MM, randomly ordered, with a minimum 7-day washout period between. Blood was drawn pre-ingestion and over a post-ingestion period of 300+ min. Test meal quantities were formulated to contain equal amounts of vitamins B(6), B(12), and C as per the water label. Analysis revealed that a scaling factor had to be used to balance the actual content differences between test products. MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Using the adjusted numbers for actual water vitamin concentration, there were no differences in the maximum concentration and the 5-h area under the curve for vitamins B(6), B(12) or C between the VW and the MM. CONCLUSIONS: VW was found to provide similar in vivo nutrition as the test MM at a caloric saving.