With so many vitamin brands available, consumers want to know they are buying the highest quality, most effective products. While independent labs like Consumer Labs and U.S. Pharmacopoeia regularly test vitamins and supplements to gauge their effectiveness, other tests you can do at home. Home tests allow consumers to see for themselves which vitamins dissolve the fastest and, therefore, are most quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. To mimic the acidity level found in the human stomach, testing should be done with white vinegar versus water.
Step 1
Place the white vinegar into a microwave-safe cup and heat for 20 to 30 seconds. Use the thermometer to test the temperature of the vinegar. Heat it until it registers 98.6 degrees --- body temperature.
Step 2
Place the vitamins you wish to test into the vinegar. Stir every five minutes and continue to monitor the temperature. Reheating the vinegar in the microwave every few minutes will help keep the temperature consistent.
Step 3
Analyze the vitamins after 30 to 45 minutes. After 30 minutes, vitamins that are uncoated or thinly coated should have broken down. Hard-coated vitamins may take longer but should be disintegrated within 45 minutes. Vitamins that break down within this time frame pass the test and should be effective for human consumption.
Tips and Warnings
- A warming plate can help keep the vinegar temperature regulated.
- Always remember that home tests are not as effective as lab tests.
Things You'll Need
- White vinegar
- Thermometer
- Vitamins
Member Comments