Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to casein
protein hydrolysates and growth or maintenance of muscle mass (ID 1498),
increase in endurance performance (ID 660, 1497) and faster recovery from
muscle fatigue after exercise (ID 660, 1497) 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:
Casein protein hydrolysates
endurance performance
health claims
muscle fatigue
muscle mass
1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika
The food constituent that is the subject of the health claims is casein protein hydrolysates.
Casein is a phosphoprotein present in mammal’s milk, and accounts for about 80 % of proteins in cow milk. Different casein hydrolysates (typically containing di- and tripeptides) are available on the market. Differences in composition between different casein protein hydrolysates may exist depending on the manufacturing processes applied. These products generally have a high content of essential amino acids.
A claim on protein and growth or maintenance of muscle mass has been assessed by the Panel with a favourable outcome (EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products Nutrition and Allergies (NDA), 2010). In the current opinion, the Panel addressed whether the consumption of casein protein hydrolysates has any effect on growth or maintenance of muscle mass apart from the well established role of protein on the claimed effect.
The Panel considers that the food constituent, casein protein hydrolysates, which is the subject of the health claims, is sufficiently characterised in relation to the claimed effects.
2. Znaczenie oświadczenia dla zdrowia człowieka
2.1. Wpływ na wzrost i utrzymanie masy mięśniowej (ID 1498)
The claimed effect is “absorption rate and muscle accretion”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
In the context of the proposed wordings and clarifications provided by Member States, the Panel assumes that the claimed effect refers to the growth or maintenance of muscle mass. Failure to increase muscle mass during growth and development, and the loss of muscle mass at any age, will reduce muscle strength and power.
The Panel considers that growth or maintenance of muscle mass is a beneficial physiological effect.
2.2. Zwiększenie wydolności fizycznej (ID 660, 1497)
The claimed effect is “physical performance”. The Panel assumes that the target population is adults performing endurance exercise.
In the context of the proposed wordings, the Panel assumes that the claimed effect refers to an increase in endurance performance.
Endurance performance relates to the ability to complete certain tasks with higher intensity, faster, or with a higher power output when performing long-term exercise.
The Panel considers that an increase in endurance performance is a beneficial physiological effect.
2.3. Szybsze ustępowanie zmęczenia mięśni po wysiłku (ID 660, 1497)
The claimed effect is “physical performance”. The Panel assumes that the target population is adults performing strenuous exercise.
In the context of the proposed wordings, the Panel assumes that the claimed effect refers to muscle fatigue recovery.
Fatigue can be defined as the loss of peak force or power output. Therefore, muscle fatigue recovery can be defined as the regaining of maximal muscle strength or muscle power after strenuous exercise that has induced muscle fatigue. Regaining muscle strength/power may be beneficial during everyday life activities, and is beneficial for athletic performance in disciplines where loss of muscle strength and power reduces performance.
The Panel considers that faster recovery from muscle fatigue after exercise is a beneficial physiological effect.
3. Naukowe uzasadnienia wpływu na zdrowie człowieka
3.1. Wpływ na wzrost i utrzymanie masy mięśniowej (ID 1498)
A claim on protein and growth or maintenance of muscle mass has been assessed by the Panel with a favourable outcome (EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products Nutrition and Allergies (NDA), 2010). The references provided in relation to the current claim reported on health outcomes other than muscle growth or maintenance (e.g. acute protein synthesis and protein turnover, plasma amino acid profiles, and appetite). The Panel considers that no conclusions can be drawn from these references for the scientific substantiation of the claim.
No human studies which investigated the effects of casein protein hydrolysates on muscle mass or muscle strength were provided.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of casein protein hydrolysates and growth or maintenance of muscle mass apart from the well established role of protein on the claimed effect.
3.2. Zwiększenie wydolności fizycznej (ID 660, 1497)
The references provided in relation to this claim either assessed the effects of foods or food constituents other than casein protein hydrolysates (e.g. other protein sources such as whey protein, skimmed milk, soy protein, single amino acids and branched-chain amino acids), or assessed the
effects of casein protein hydrolysates in combination with other food constituents (e.g. carbohydrates) which could have contributed to the claimed effect. The Panel considers that no conclusions can be drawn from these references for the scientific substantiation of the claim.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of casein protein hydrolysates and increase in endurance performance.
3.3. Szybsze ustępowanie zmęczenia mięśni po wysiłku (ID 660, 1497)
The references provided in relation to this claim either assessed the effects of foods or food constituents other than casein protein hydrolysates (e.g. other protein sources such as whey protein, skimmed milk, soy protein, single amino acids and branched-chain amino acids), or assessed the effects of casein protein hydrolysates in combination with other food constituents (e.g. carbohydrates) which could have contributed to the claimed effect. The Panel considers that no conclusions can be drawn from these references for the scientific substantiation of the claim.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of casein protein hydrolysates and faster recovery from muscle fatigue after exercise.
Wnioski
On the basis of the data presented, the Panel concludes that:
The food constituent, casein protein hydrolysates, which is the subject of the health claims, is sufficiently characterised in relation to the claimed effects.
Growth or maintenance of muscle mass (ID 1496)
The claimed effect is “absorption rate and muscle accretion”. The target population is assumed to be the general population. Growth or maintenance of muscle mass is a beneficial physiological effect.
A cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of casein protein hydrolysates and growth or maintenance of muscle mass apart from the well established role of protein on the claimed effect.
Increase in endurance performance (ID 660, 1497)
The claimed effect is “physical performance”. The target population is assumed to be adults performing endurance exercise. In the context of the proposed wordings, it is assumed that the claimed effect refers to an increase in endurance performance. An increase in endurance performance is a beneficial physiological effect.
A cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of casein protein hydrolysates and increase in endurance performance.
Faster recovery from muscle fatigue after exercise (ID 660, 1497)
The claimed effect is “physical performance”. The target population is adults performing strenuous exercise. Faster recovery from muscle fatigue after exercise is a beneficial physiological effect.
A cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of casein protein hydrolysates and faster recovery from muscle fatigue after exercise.
