Vitamins are essential – we all know that. But how you take your vitamins matters too. A 2024 peer-reviewed study in Food Science & Nutrition looked at how different vitamin forms affect absorption. As a result, the findings are worth knowing when you choose a supplement.

Overview

This review examined the pharmacokinetics, or how vitamins are absorbed, used, and excreted by the body, across different delivery formats. The researchers confirmed that the oral route is the most common method of vitamin delivery. They also found that the physical form of a supplement directly affects absorption. In fact, degradation, chemical instability, poor gut absorption, and low water solubility all hinder it. For that reason, the format you choose plays a real role in how much of a vitamin your body actually receives.

Key Takeaways

• Fat-soluble vitamins, A, D, E, and K, need bile acids and dietary fats to absorb properly
• The physical form of a supplement directly impacts bioavailability
• The WHO estimates over 2 billion people worldwide have micronutrient deficiencies
• Vitamin deficiencies affect people of all ages and carry a wide range of health consequences
• The format and route of delivery influence how vitamins are absorbed, distributed, and used

A final key takeaway: the route and type of formulation administered influence how vitamins move through the body. In other words, format is a meaningful choice.

Why It Matters for Gummy Vitamins

“To achieve the desired therapeutic response, vitamins need to be delivered at the required concentration.” — Sugandhi et al., Food Science & Nutrition, 2024

Gummy vitamins are an oral, chewable format. Because of this, they engage the digestive process that fat-soluble vitamins depend on for absorption. Beyond that, a format you enjoy taking is one you’ll take every day. Ultimately, the research identifies consistent daily intake as an important factor in addressing deficiency.

Read the Full Study