Professor Park Eunju's Research Team at Kyungnam University Selected for Cover Article in International Journal Nutrients

Differences in Absorption Rates Revealed
Among Fruits, Juices, and Supplements

The research team led by Professor Park Eunju from the Department of Food and Nutrition at Kyungnam University has had their comparative study on the bioavailability of vitamin C selected as the cover article for the November 2025 issue of the international journal Nutrients. The paper was also highlighted as a key study in the special issue, "Antioxidant-Rich Natural Fruit and Vegetable Foods and Human Health."

Miju Choi, Research Professor at RISE Project Group, Cover of Nutrients.

The title of the paper is "Comparative Bioavailability of Vitamin C After Short-Term Consumption of Raw Fruits and Vegetables and Their Juices: A Randomized Crossover Study." The authors include: first author Miju Choi, Research Professor at the Kyungnam University RISE Project Group; co-authors Juha Baek, master's program graduate from Kyungnam University, Professor Jungmi Yoon from Chonnam National University, and Professor Youngsik Hong from Chonnam National University; and corresponding author Professor Eunju Park from Kyungnam University.

The study received high academic praise for quantitatively demonstrating that the absorption rate and metabolic response of vitamin C in the body differ depending on the form in which it is consumed, even when the same amount is ingested.

The research team compared the absorption rates in the body when three types of fruits and vegetables-paprika, cherry tomato, and tangerine-were consumed raw, consumed as cold-pressed juice, and when the same amount of vitamin C was taken as a supplement. The experiment was conducted as a randomized crossover trial involving healthy adults, with participants consuming each of the three forms at the same vitamin C dosage.

Over the 24 hours following intake, the team measured and analyzed changes in blood vitamin C concentration, the amount of vitamin C excreted in urine, metabolites, and antioxidant markers. The results showed that plasma vitamin C concentration peaked about two hours after ingestion, and cold-pressed juice demonstrated the highest absorption efficiency and total amount absorbed in the body over time (AUC, area under the curve).

The researchers explained that "the juice form, in which the cell walls are physically broken down, can be absorbed more quickly in the gastrointestinal tract," and analyzed that juice may be more advantageous in terms of initial absorption rate and bioavailability.

Additionally, metabolite analysis revealed differences in the composition of metabolites excreted in urine, confirming that metabolic pathways in the body may vary depending on the form of intake. Antioxidant markers improved in all intake groups, and all three intake methods demonstrated antioxidant effects.

The research team stated, "This study is one of the first short-term bioavailability studies to apply multidimensional analysis while simultaneously comparing food forms, processing states, and supplement forms. It is significant in that it scientifically identified differences in vitamin C utilization among various dietary patterns of modern people."

Meanwhile, author Miju Choi, Research Professor, is engaged in various interdisciplinary studies such as personalized glycemic response and AI-based clinical nutrition management. The selection of this paper as a cover article is seen as a recognition of the research capabilities of the Kyungnam University RISE biohealthcare field in an international academic journal.

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