ID 1320 - Granatowiec właściwy

PL: Granatowiec właściwy
EN: Pomegranate
Pdf: pomegranate/pomegranate juice

Oświadczenie (2)

1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika

The food that is the subject of the health claims is pomegranate/pomegranate juice and polyphenols in pomegranate/pomegranate juice.
The information provided (e.g. food, conditions of use) for the majority of the health claims on pomegranate and pomegranate juice refers to the type and/or amount of polyphenols in pomegranate/pomegranate juice that should be consumed daily in order to achieve the claimed effect. The Panel assumes that such phenolic compounds are also mentioned (and occasionally quantified) to allow standardisation of pomegranate juice, for which information on composition and on the manufacturing process has not been provided. In the remaining health claims, reference is made to dried fruit or herb powders for which the information on composition and on the manufacturing process has not been provided.
Polyphenols comprise a very wide group (several thousands of compounds) of plant secondary metabolites including flavonoids, isoflavonoids, phenolic acids, proanthocyanidins and other tannins, and lignans with different biological activities. Polyphenol content in foods is usually expressed as gallic acid equivalents (GAE), but also other phenolic compounds such as catechin/epicatechin or caffeic acid which are used for standardisation. This standardisation refers to traditional spectrophotometrical measurement of total polyphenols using the Folin-Ciocalteau method (Singleton and Rossi, 1965), which is based on reducing capacity. The method is not specific for polyphenols because other reducing compounds such as ascorbic acid, sugars and proteins will also be included in the quantification, thus leading to an overestimation of the actual polyphenol content. The total polyphenol content assessed with this method is not suitable for characterisation of polyphenols in foods.
Regarding the nature of specific polyphenols in pomegranate (Prunus granatum), punicalagin and ellagic acid have been specified in the conditions of use. Punicalagins are tannins that are known to be hydrolysed in vivo into smaller polyphenols such as ellagic acid. Punicalagin and ellagic acid can be measured in foods by established methods. Pomegranate polyphenols are bioavailable (Mertens- Talcott et al., 2006; Seeram et al., 2006).
The Panel considers that, whereas pomegranate/pomegranate juice and polyphenols in pomegranate/pomegranate juice are not sufficiently characterised, the food constituents, punicalagin and ellagic acid in pomegranate/pomegranate juice, which the Panel assumes to be the subject of the health claims, are sufficiently characterised.

2.1. Utrzymanie prawidłowego stężenia cholesterolu we krwi (ID 1162, 1320, 2107, 2167)

The claimed effects are “heart health”, “cardiovascular health” and “maintaining cholesterol”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
In the context of the proposed wordings, the Panel assumes that the claimed effects relate to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol concentrations.
Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) carry cholesterol from the liver to peripheral tissues, including the arteries. Elevated LDL-cholesterol, by convention >160 mg/dL (>4.14 mmol/L), may compromise the normal structure and function of the arteries. High-density lipoproteins (HDL) act as cholesterol scavengers and are involved in the reverse transport of cholesterol in the body (from peripheral tissues back to the liver).
The Panel considers that maintenance of normal blood cholesterol concentrations is a beneficial physiological effect.

3.1. Utrzymanie prawidłowego stężenia cholesterolu we krwi (ID 1162, 1320, 2107, 2167)

Most of the references provided in the list addressed topics other than polyphenols in pomegranate/pomegranate juice and the claimed effect. These include narrative reviews on polyphenols, food composition, and human studies investigating the effects of polyphenols on anti- angiogenic potential, angiotensin converting enzyme activity, blood pressure, lipid oxidation, oxidative stress, platelet aggregation, or in relation to cancer prevention. The Panel considers that no conclusions can be drawn from these references for the scientific substantiation of the claimed effect.
In a pilot, single arm, uncontrolled intervention study, the effects of consuming a concentrated pomegranate juice (40 g per day) for eight weeks on the blood lipid profile were investigated in 22
diabetic patients (Esmaillzadeh et al., 2004, 2006). The Panel considers that no conclusions can be drawn from this small and uncontrolled study for the scientific substantiation of the claimed effect.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of punicalagin/ellagic acid in pomegranate/pomegranate juice and the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol concentrations.

Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia

300 ml daily - There are no documented limits for the effective ingredients. Due to inadequate data, pregnant women, nursing women, patients over antidepressant medicines (Mirtazapine), antipsychotic medicines (Risperidone, Ketiapine), statines medicines (Simvastatine, atorvastatine), antihypertensive medicines should take doctor’s advice (relative contra-indication). There are no documented upper limits in the consumption of pomegranate juice. Time that a result is seen cannot be clarified yet. Interaction only with medicines referred (after doctor’s advice) Process method cannot affect the effective ingredients.