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Experts dismiss some spurious health claims

The European Food Safety Authority has issued the first in a series of opinions debunking many of the claims of so-called ‘health foods’, reports Dara Gantly

Just because you’ve never seen a rabbit with sunburn doesn’t mean the beta-carotene in carrots provides any immunity to UV-radiation. This may sound obvious, and somewhat bizarre, but some of the scientific evidence used to back up the various claims of so-called ‘health foods’ can appear just as strange.

Experts at the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have dismissed a host of such health claims in a series of reports released last week (October 1). The EFSA’s Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies evaluated the scientific evidence for more than 500 claims relating to over 200 foods and food components, such as vitamins and minerals, fibre, fats, carbohydrates, ‘probiotic’ bacteria and botanical substances.

For approximately one third of the claims, the outcomes of the evaluations were favourable as there was sufficient supporting scientific evidence. These related mainly to the functions of vitamins and minerals, but also included dietary fibres, fatty acids for maintenance of cholesterol levels, and sugar-free chewing gum for maintenance of dental health.

However, almost half of the evaluations were unfavourable, owing to a lack of information on the substance on which the claim was based.

Probiotics
Some of the biggest losers were ‘probiotic’ bacteria and botanical substances. On the basis of the data available, the panel concluded that a cause-and-effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of Bifidobacterium animalis Lafti or Lactobacillus plantarum and decreasing potentially pathogenic intestinal microorganisms.

Neither was their evidence to suggest that the consumption of Lactobacillus casei improved bowel motor function within the normal range. Similar health claims surrounding the use of apple cider vinegar, in powder form, were also dismissed. It is understood probiotic products produced by Danone and Yakult were not included in this initial study. Both companies opted to supply their own scientific evidence to the panel, which is expected to be evaluated early next year.

No rock — even from the sea — was left unturned by the EFSA panel, which found no cause-and-effect relationship between the consumption of green lipped mussel or green lipped mussel extract and the maintenance of normal joints, bone or muscles.

However, a cause-and-effect relationship has been established separately between the consumption of calcium and vitamin D and the maintenance of normal bone.

Calcium was also linked with the maintenance of normal muscle function and neurotransmission, normal blood coagulation, normal energy-yielding metabolism and normal function of digestive enzymes.

However, the evidence provided was insufficient to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between the intake of calcium and the maintenance of a normal blood pressure. A full list of the products evaluated can be found at www.efsa.europa.eu.

Selenium
While a cause-and-effect relationship has been established between the dietary intake of selenium and protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage, normal function of the immune system, normal thyroid function and normal spermatogenesis, the evidence provided did not establish that inadequate intake of selenium leading to impaired function of the above occurs in the general EU population.

Dietary intake of selenium was not directly linked with normal cognitive function or normal prostate function, the panel found. Neither was the evidence sufficient to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between selenium and normal function of the heart and blood vessels.

Brain development
The claim that sialic acid can help brain development reveals how flimsy the scientific foundations on which these assertions are built can actually be. Firstly, the Authority said the claim that sialic acid ‘plays a role in development of the brain’ was not sufficiently defined, but in the context of the proposed wording it assumed that the claimed effect related to learning and memory.

Among the provided references, only one animal study in milk-formulae-fed piglets addressed relevant endpoints. The panel noted that this animal study ‘does not predict the effect of dietary intake of sialic acid on learning and memory in humans’ and therefore considered that ‘no scientific conclusion can be drawn from this reference for substantiation of the claim’.

Commenting on these first results, Prof Albert Flynn, Chair of EFSA’s NDA Panel, stated: “EFSA’s independent scientific advice will help ensure that the health claims made on foods are accurate and helpful to consumers in making healthy diet choices.

The scientific opinions will inform future decisions of the Commission and Member States concerning the authorisation of health claims.”

A meeting with experts from Member States and the European Commission was due to take place on Tuesday (October 6) in Brussels to discuss the evaluation of the ‘general function’ of these claims.

Vitamin C
So does taking vitamin C help cure a common cold? The expert panel concluded that a cause-and-effect relationship has been established between the dietary intake of vitamin C and the protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage, normal collagen formation, normal function of the nervous system, normal function of the immune system, maintenance of normal function of the immune system during and after extreme physical exercise, non-haem iron absorption and normal energy-yielding metabolism.

In order to bear the claim related to the maintenance of normal function of the immune system during and after intense physical exercise, a food should contain at least 200mg vitamin C to be consumed daily in addition to the usual diet.

However, a cause-and-effect relationship has not been established between the dietary intake of vitamin C and the promotion of the antioxidant function of lutein, and the relief in case of irritation in the upper respiratory tract.

Also, the evidence provided was insufficient to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between the dietary intake of vitamin C and the maintenance of normal vision, the panel found. So just because you’ve never seen a rabbit with glasses…

Between July and December 2008, the EFSA received a draft list with 4,185 claims from the European Commission to be evaluated. This list was the result of a consolidation process carried out by the Commission, after examining more than 44,000 claims supplied by Member States.

Due to the large number of health claims received and the delay in submissions by stakeholders to Member States, the deadline of January 31 2010, stipulated in the Health Claims Regulation, for the adoption of a list of permitted health claims will not be met. Thus, the EFSA intends to publish several series of opinions throughout 2010 and 2011.

The Authority is liaising with the Commission in order to define a more precise timetable for completion of the entire claims, taking into account possible additions.

However, it expects to complete its work within two years of receipt of the final list of submitted claims.

Posted in Guests on 16 October 2009
Tags: nutrition