An absorbent structure is constructed of hydrophilic fibers and superabsorbent material and has a permeability as determined by an Absorbent Structure Permeability Test and a normalized retention capacity as determined by a Retention Capacity Test. The absorbent structure has an intake factor of at least about 3 wherein the intake factor is defined as the absorbent structure permeability divided by the normalized retention capacity. In another embodiment, the absorbent structure is constructed at least in part of a superabsorbent material and has an intake factor of at least about 3 and less than about 50.