Magnesium absorption from mineral waters of different magnesium content in healthy subjects

Objective: To assess the absorption of magnesium (Mg) from mineral waters of different Mg content in comparison to low mineralized water and a Mg capsule. Materials and Methods: Design: Randomized, controlled, double-blind trial in a crossover design with an additional control with a Mg capsule. Setting: Institute of Balneology and Medical Climatology, Medical School of Hanover, Germany. Subjects: 22 healthy male volunteers aged between 23-46 years. Intervention: After a standardized breakfast, each participant received, in Latin square order, 500 ml of either of two Mg-rich mineral waters (281 or 120 mg/l). As a control condition, a mineral water of low Mg content (8 mg/l) was used. A Mg capsule (Magnesium-Diasporal(R) 150, Protina, Ismaning, Germany) was used for further comparisons. Results: Changes in serum Mg levels in the first 4 hours after intake differed significantly between the groups (p=0.030; ANOVA). Mean values differed between the Mg-rich mineral water conditions and the control conditions though did not reach statistical significance (p=0.055), however, mean values did not differ between the test waters and the capsule (p=0.338). Conclusion: Magnesium from mineral waters can easily be absorbed and its absorption rate is similar to that from a pharmaceutical Mg preparation.