ID 400 -
Wapń
PL: Wapń
EN: Calcium
Pdf: calcium
1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika
For ID 400, the food constituent that is the subject of the health claim is calcium, which is a well recognised nutrient and which is measurable in foods by established methods. Calcium occurs naturally in foods in many forms, which are generally well utilised by the body.
For ID 407, the food constituent that is the subject of the health claim is potassium, which is a well recognised nutrient and which is measurable in foods by established methods. Potassium occurs naturally in foods in several forms, mainly as organic salts. Potassium is naturally present in unprocessed foods, mainly in association with bicarbonate-generating precursors such as citrate, and to a lesser extent in association with phosphate.
Potassium and calcium are authorised for addition to foods (Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 1925/20066 and Annex I of Directive 2002/46/EC7). This evaluation applies to potassium and calcium naturally present in foods, and those salts authorised for addition to foods (Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 and Annex II of Directive 2002/46/EC).
The Panel considers that the food constituents, calcium and potassium, which are the subject of the health claims, are sufficiently characterised.
2. Znaczenie oświadczenia dla zdrowia człowieka
The claimed effects are “calcium contributes to acid/base balance within metabolism” and “mineral/potassium: key function within metabolism (intracellular cation)”. 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 the maintenance of normal acid-base balance.
The Panel considers that maintenance of normal acid-base balance is a beneficial physiological effect.
3. Naukowe uzasadnienia wpływu na zdrowie człowieka - Utrzymanie prawidłowej równowagi kwasowo-zasadowej
The references provided for the substantiation of the claims comprised a pharmacy leaflet, a textbook and a nutrition report which did not contain any original data for the scientific substantiation of the claims. The Panel considers that no conclusions can be drawn from these references for the scientific substantiation of the claim.
Blood and extracellular fluid pH is tightly regulated between pH 7.36 and 7.44 by the presence of buffer systems which attenuate changes as a consequence of acid load mainly from cellular metabolism or the ingestion of acids in the diet. These buffer systems, both extracellular and intracellular, include haemoglobin, other proteins, phosphate and bicarbonate, the latter being of greatest importance. Buffering within the blood and tissues takes place immediately. CO2 (“volatile acid”) is excreted via the lungs, with respiratory compensation occurring over minutes to hours. Formed acids (from the metabolism of sulphur- and phosphorus-containing compounds, e.g. in amino acids) are excreted by the kidneys, with renal compensation occurring over hours to days.
The intracellular potassium concentration greatly exceeds its extracellular concentration, with only about 2 % of body potassium being present in the extracellular space. The distribution of potassium between the intracellular and extracellular compartments is modulated by the extracellular pH. Potassium body loss is mainly regulated by renal secretion, which is affected by acid-base status. Plasma calcium concentrations are tightly regulated. The acid load of the diet may influence urinary calcium excretion and thereby also calcium retention. However, protein-rich foods typically also contain phosphorus, which has a hypocalciuric effect and thereby offsets the hypercalciuric effect of protein (Weaver and Heaney, 2006). In metabolic acidosis there is evidence of release of calcium and, to a lesser extent, of potassium from bone (Oh, 2000). The Panel notes that no evidence has been provided to show that the dietary intake of calcium and potassium affects normal acid-base balance in the general healthy population.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the dietary intake of calcium and potassium and maintenance of normal acid-base balance.
Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia
yes
