Scientific opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to
Hibiscus sabdariffa L. and improvement of diuretic function
(ID 2267, 3393) and bowel motor function (ID 3391) pursuant to
Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006[sup]1[/sup]
EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA)2
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Parma, Italy
Słowa kluczowe:
Hibiscus sabdariffa L
1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika
The food constituent that is the subject of the claim is Hibiscus sabdariffa L.. The characterisation of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. is performed by comparing data provided as conditions of use to information extracted from standard reference textbooks (see Table 2 below and Appendix D for list of standard reference textbooks used for the characterisation).
Table 2. Information on Hibiscus sabdariffa L. from standard reference textbooks and the information provided as conditions of use.
ID Scientific name Part used Nature of the preparation
Conditions of use
Text-
book
Hibiscus sabdariffa L.
= Abelmoschus
cruentus BERTOL. =
Sabdariffa rubra
KOSTEL.
Malvaceae
Flower Extract;
infusion
Dried extract: (1:2), 50-300
mg/day.
Infusion: 1.5 g/150mL water,
several times/day.
Note: no need for upper limit.
2267 Hibiscus sabdariffa L. - common name: Hibiscus
Flower Infusion Infusion: 1.5 g, and equivalent
quantity in extract.
Note: it is assumed to be a single
amount.
3391 Hibiscus sabdariffa L. - common name: Hibiscus
Flower Infusion Infusion: 1.5g, and equivalent
quantity in extract.
Note: it is assumed to be a single
amount.
3393 Hibiscus sabdariffa L. - common name: Hibiscus
Flower Infusion Infusion: 1.5 g, and equivalent
quantity in extract.
Note: it is assumed to be a single
amount.
The daily amount is not specified, but it is assumed that the amount given is a single amount.
The Panel considers that the food constituent, Hibiscus sabdariffa L., which is the subject of the health claim, has been sufficiently characterised with the following conditions of use: Infusion (from the flower): single amount of 1.5 g, and equivalent quantity in extract.
2. Znaczenie oświadczenia dla zdrowia człowieka
2.1. Poprawa diurezy (funkcji nerek) (ID 2267, 3393)
The claimed effect is “renal elimination/organism draining”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
The claimed effect “renal elimination/organism draining” is not sufficiently defined. From the proposed wordings the Panel assumes that the claimed effect relates to improvement of diuretic function.
The Panel considers that no evidence has been provided to establish that improvement of diuretic function is beneficial to human health of the general population.
2.2. Funkcje motoryczne jelit (ID 3391)
The claimed effect is “constipation/intestinal health”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
From the proposed wordings, the Panel assumes that the claimed effect refers to changes in bowel function. Changes in bowel function within the normal range e.g. reduced transit time, increased frequency of bowel movements or bulk of stools might be interpreted as improvement of bowel motor function.
The Panel considers that improvement of bowel motor function within the normal range might be beneficial to human health.
3. Naukowe uzasadnienia wpływu na zdrowie człowieka
3.1. Poprawa diurezy (funkcji nerek) (ID 2267, 3393)
Three references were cited to substantiate the claimed effect. Two references were textbooks and one reference was a monograph in which the claimed effect is stated. The Panel notes that the references cited did not provide any scientific data that could be used to substantiate the claimed effect.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. and improvement of diuretic function.
3.2. Funkcje motoryczne jelit (ID 3391)
Two references were cited to substantiate the claimed effect. One reference was a textbook and one was a monograph in which the claimed effect is stated. The Panel notes that the references cited did not provide any scientific data that could be used to substantiate the claimed effect.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. and improvement of bowel motor function within the normal range.
Wnioski
On the basis of the data presented, the Panel concludes that:
Improvement of diuretic function (ID 2267, 3393)
The food constituent Hibiscus sabdariffa L., which is the subject of the health claim, has been sufficiently characterised with the following conditions of use: Infusion: single amount of 1.5 g, and equivalent quantity in extract.
The claimed effect is “renal elimination/organism draining”. The target population is assumed to be the general population. The Panel considers that no evidence has been provided to establish that improvement of diuretic function is beneficial to human health of the general population.
A cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. and improvement of diuretic function.
Bowel motor function (ID 3391)
The food constituent Hibiscus sabdariffa L., which is the subject of the health claim, has been sufficiently characterised with the following conditions of use: Infusion: single amount of 1.5 g, and equivalent quantity in extract.
The claimed effect is “constipation/intestinal health”. The target population is assumed to be the general population. Improvement of bowel motor function within the normal range might be beneficial to human health.
A cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. and improvement of bowel motor function within the normal range.
