ID 140 - Witamina C

PL: Witamina C
EN: Vitamin C
Pdf: vitamin C

Oświadczenie (4)

Oświadczenie (2)

1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika

The food constituent that is the subject of the health claims is vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid, ascorbate), which is a well recognised nutrient and is measurable in foods by established methods.
Vitamin C occurs naturally in foods and is authorised for addition to foods (Annex I of the Regulation (EC) No 1925/20066 and Annex I of Directive 2002/46/EC7). This evaluation applies to vitamin C naturally present in foods and those forms authorised for addition to foods (Annex II of the Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 and Annex II of Directive 2002/46/EC).
The Panel considers that the food constituent, vitamin C, which is the subject of the health claims, is sufficiently characterised.

2.2. Udział w prawidłowym przebiegu funkcji psychicznych (psychologicznych) (ID 140)

The claimed effect is “the role of vitamins and minerals in mental performance (where mental performance stands for those aspects of brain and nerve functions which determine aspects like concentration, learning, memory and reasoning)”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
The Panel considers that contribution to normal psychological functions, which encompass cognitive and affective domains, is a beneficial physiological effect.

3. Naukowe uzasadnienia wpływu na zdrowie człowieka - 

The evidence provided by consensus opinions/reports from authoritative bodies and reviews shows that there is consensus on the role of vitamin C in the body (Bender, 2003; Garrow et al., 2000; IoM, 2000; NNR, 2004; Sadler et al., 1999; Levine et al., 2006; EVM, 2002). Vitamin C is an electron donor, or reducing agent, and its functions are attributable to this action (Levine et al., 2006). Vitamin C acts as a free radical scavenger in the body and as electron donor (and cofactor) for eight human enzymes, three of which participate in the biosynthesis (and cross-linking) of collagen and other components of the connective tissue, two of which are required in the biosynthesis of carnitine, one of which is required in tyrosine metabolism and two of which are required in the biosynthesis of the catecholamines adrenaline and noradrenaline (which act as neurotransmitters) and in the amidation of peptide hormones.

3.2. Udział w prawidłowym przebiegu funkcji psychicznych (psychologicznych) (ID 140)

Advanced vitamin C deficiency results in scurvy. The symptoms of scurvy include listlessness and general malaise, sometimes associated with personality changes and psychomotor performance (Bender, 2009). Depression is one of the symptoms associated with scurvy (IoM, 2000).
Among its biological functions, vitamin C modulates neurotransmitter receptors, the function of glutamatergic and dopaminergic neurons, and the formation of glial cells and myelin. Vitamin C, as a co-factor for dopamine-β-hydroxylase, also contributes to catecholamines, norepinephrine (noradrenaline) and epinephrine (adrenaline) biosynthesis (IoM, 2000).
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the dietary intake of vitamin C and contribution to normal psychological functions.

4.2. Udział w prawidłowym przebiegu funkcji psychicznych (psychologicznych) (ID 140)

The Panel considers that the following wording reflects the scientific evidence: “Vitamin C contributes to normal psychological functions”.

5. Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia

The Panel considers that in order to bear the claims a food should be at least a source of vitamin C as per Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. Such amounts can be easily consumed as part of a balanced diet. The target population is the general population.

Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia

Only for products with at least 100 % RDA of vitamins Agency guidance for supplements is that products containing >1000 mg of Vitamin C should carry the label advisory statement "[This amount of Vitamin C] may cause mild stomach upset in sensitive indivi