Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in combination with caffeine, and
contribution to the maintenance or achievement of a normal body weight
(ID 1800) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006[sup]1[/sup]
EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA)2, 3
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Parma, Italy
Słowa kluczowe:
Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
body weight
caffeine
health claims
1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika
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Osiągnięcie lub utrzymanie prawidłowej masy ciała
The food constituent that is the subject of the health claim is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in combination with caffeine.
Green tea contains polyphenolic compounds, which include flavonoids such as flavanols and flavandiols, 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 and can be measured in foods by established methods.
Caffeine is a natural compound present in coffee beans and tea leaves. Other sources of caffeine include kola nut, yerba mate, guarana berries and the Yaupon Holly. Caffeine is a well characterised substance, which can be measured by established methods.
The Panel considers that the food constituents, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and caffeine, which are the subject of the health claim, are sufficiently characterised.
2. Znaczenie oświadczenia dla zdrowia człowieka
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Osiągnięcie lub utrzymanie prawidłowej masy ciała
The claimed effect is “weight control”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
Weight control can be interpreted as contribution to the maintenance of a normal body weight. In this context, weight loss in overweight subjects without achieving a normal body weight is considered to be a beneficial physiological effect.
The Panel considers that contribution to the maintenance or achievement of a normal body weight is a beneficial physiological effect.
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3. Naukowe uzasadnienia wpływu na zdrowie człowieka - Osiągnięcie lub utrzymanie prawidłowej masy ciała
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Osiągnięcie lub utrzymanie prawidłowej masy ciała
All the references provided in the consolidated list reported either on the effects of food constituents other than the combination of EGCG and caffeine (e.g. caffeine alone, green tea catechins alone, oolong tea) and/or on health outcomes other than the claimed effect (e.g. energy expenditure, fat oxidation, body composition). The Panel considers that no conclusions can be drawn from these references for the scientific substantiation of the claimed effect.
No references on the effects of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in combination with caffeine on body weight have been provided.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of EGCG in combination with caffeine, and contribution to the maintenance or achievement of a normal body weight.
Wnioski
On the basis of the data presented, the Panel concludes that:
The food constituents, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and caffeine, which are the subject of the health claim, are sufficiently characterised.
The claimed effect is “weight control”. The target population is assumed to be the general population. Contribution to the maintenance or achievement of a normal body weight is a beneficial physiological effect.
A cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in combination with caffeine, and contribution to the maintenance or achievement of a normal body weight.
