Milk and water most efficient vehicles for absorbing vitamin D, finds study

According to a new study, milk and water are the most efficient vehicles for absorbing vitamin D.

The findings were presented at the 24th European Congress of Endocrinology in Milan, Italy.

Vitamin D insufficiency has been linked with multiple health issues, including the immune response to Covid-19.

Estimates show that as much as 40 per cent of the European population could be suffering from vitamin D deficiencies, with 13 per cent potentially suffering from severe vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D supplements are therefore vital, and knowing whether they will be absorbed or how best to aid absorption is crucial.

To answer this question, Dr Rasmus Espersen of Aarhus University in Denmark and his colleagues conducted a random trial on 30 postmenopausal women aged 60-80 with vitamin D deficiency.

The study aimed to measure immediate changes in blood concentrations in response to the consumption of various food items containing 200 g D3.

In random order, 500 ml of water, milk, juice, juice with vitamin D bound to whey protein isolate as well as 500 ml of water without vitamin D (placebo) were presented to the study. Blood samples were collected at 0h, 2h, 4h, 6h, 8h, 10h, 12h, and 24h on each study day.

“One aspect that surprised me was the fact that the results seen in the water and milk groups were equal. This was quite unexpected given the fact that milk contains more fat than water,” stated Dr Espersen.

The study revealed that whey protein isolate in apple juice did not enhance the maximum concentration of D3.

It is compared to juice without WPI. However, compared to juice, D3 concentrations were significantly higher in response to the intake of milk and water.

No difference was observed between milk and water. Therefore, the conclusion from this study is that vitamin D fortification works better in water or milk than in juice.