A claim put forth by some purveyors of health foods is that vitamins obtained from natural sources are more healthful than those obtained by chemical synthesis. For example, pure L‑ascorbic acid (vitamin C) extracted from rose hips is thought to be healthier than pure L‑ascorbic acid manufactured in a chemical plant. Are the vitamins from the two sources different? Can the body distinguish a vitamin's source?

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Biology

9 August, 09:50

A claim put forth by some purveyors of health foods is that vitamins obtained from natural sources are more healthful than those obtained by chemical synthesis. For example, pure L‑ascorbic acid (vitamin C) extracted from rose hips is thought to be healthier than pure L‑ascorbic acid manufactured in a chemical plant. Are the vitamins from the two sources different? Can the body distinguish a vitamin's source?

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Roselyn Graves · Answer 1

No, the vitamins from the two sources are not different.

No, the body cannot distinguish a vitamin's source.

Explanation:

Pure L-ascorbic acid extracted from rose hips is identical in every way to pure L-ascorbic acid synthesized in a plant.

The only difference that might distinguish the two is the presence of impurities such as byproducts or solvents used in the process of extraction or synthesis. However, "pure" implies that no such impurities are present.