ID 2716 - Herbata

PL: Herbata
EN: Camelia sinensis (Common Name : Tea)
Pdf: Camellia sinensis

Oświadczenie (2)

1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika

The food/constituents that are the subjects of the health claims are Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze, catechins present in green tea, epigallo-catechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and green tea extract rich in EGCG.
The plant Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze is an evergreen shrub of the Theaceae family. Tea is an extract of the dried leaves from Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze and it is usually prepared by infusing the leaves in hot water. The composition of the tea leaves depends on a variety of factors, including climate, season, horticultural practices, and the type and age of the plant. Many kinds of tea are produced, which can be classified into three major types according to the different degrees of fermentation: green (un-fermented), oolong (semi-fermented) and black (fully fermented) (Wang et al., 2000).
The composition of tea beverages greatly depends on the type of leaves used, on the degree of fermentation and on the methods of preparation (Kaszkin et al., 2004; Astill et al., 2001). The degree of fermentation, the production process and the method of preparing the tea infusion have not been described in relation to the claims.
Green tea contains polyphenolic compounds, which include flavanols, flavandiols, flavonoids and phenolic acids. Most of the polyphenols in green tea are catechins. Epigallo-catechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the most abundant catechin in green tea. In black teas, the most abundant polyphenols are tannins, mainly theaflavin and thearubigin (Mukhtar and Ahmad, 2000). Tea extracts/infusions also contain variable amounts of potentially active food constituents, such as caffeine, theanine or theogallin.
Green tea catechins (including EGCG) can be measured in foods by established methods.
The Panel considers that whereas Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze (tea) is not sufficiently characterised in relation to the claimed effects, catechins from green tea (including EGCG) are sufficiently characterised.

2.1. Udział w utrzymaniu lub osiągnięciu prawidłowej masy ciała (ID 1107, 1112, 1544, 2716)

The claimed effects are “weight management/metabolism of lipids”, “weight management” and “control of weight”. 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 refer to an increased oxidation of body fat leading to the loss of fat mass and body weight.
Weight management can be interpreted as contribution to the maintenance of a normal body weight. In this context a moderate weight loss in overweight subjects without achieving a normal body weight is considered to be a beneficial physiological effect.
The Panel considers that the contribution to the maintenance or achievement of a normal body weight is a beneficial physiological effect.

Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia

Traditional use of the leaf / Infusion: 2,5 g in 150 mL water, many times daily / Equivalent quantity in extract