Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions and reduction in rated perceived exertion/effort during exercise (ID 460, 466, 467, 468), enhancement of water absorption during exercise (ID 314, 315, 316, 317, 319, 322, 325, 332, 408, 465, 473, 1168, 1574, 1593, 1618, 4302, 4309), and maintenance of endurance performance (ID 466, 469) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006
Słowa kluczowe:
1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika
The foods that are the subject of the health claims are “sodium”, “potassium”, “chloride as Na-, K-, Ca- Mg-salts”, “sodium, potassium and chloride”, “carbohydrate foods and beverages”, “carbohydrate electrolyte drinks”, “carbohydrate electrolyte drinks with elevated sodium”, “glucose and fructose”, “low energy carbohydrate electrolyte drinks”, “hypotonic”, “isotonic”, and “moderated sodium carbohydrate-electrolyte drinks”.
For ID 408, the Panel assumes, from the claimed effect and the references provided, that the food constituent that is the subject of the claim is potassium.
Within the European Union, there is no specific legal definition including compositional requirements for carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions. In its report on the composition and specifications of foods intended to meet the expenditure of intense muscular effort, especially for sportsmen, the Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) also covered carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions. The SCF stated that these solutions should supply carbohydrates as the major energy source, and should be effective in maintaining or restoring hydration status. It was recommended that carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions should provide between 80-350 kcal/L from carbohydrates, and that at least 75 % of the energy should be derived from carbohydrates which induce a high glycaemic response, such as glucose, glucose polymers and sucrose. In addition, these beverages should contain between 20 mmol/L (460 mg/L) to 50 mmol/L (1,150 mg/L) of sodium. The beverages may be formulated to cover a range of osmolalities between 200-330 mOsm/kg water, and beverages with an osmolality between 270-330 mOsm/kg water may be designated as isotonic. No specification as to the inclusion of potassium or chloride in carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions was given by the SCF (SCF, 2001).
The Panel considers that the food, carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions, which is the subject of the health claims, is sufficiently characterised in relation to the claimed effects.
4 Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods. OJ L 404, 30.12.2006, p. 9–25.
5 EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA), 2011. General guidance for stakeholders on the evaluation of Article 13.1, 13.5 and 14 health claims. EFSA Journal, 9(4):2135, 24 pp.
2. Znaczenie oświadczenia dla zdrowia człowieka
2.1. Obniżenie stopnia odczuwania wysiłki (RPE) podczas ćwiczeń (ID 460, 466, 467, 468)
The claimed effects are “attenuation of the perception of effort and reduction in pleasure”, “recovery; enhanced subsequent endurance capacity; delayed fatigue” and “endurance; increased endurance capacity; increased endurance performance; delayed fatigue”. The Panel assumes that the target population is active individuals performing exercise.
In the context of the proposed wordings and the references provided, the Panel assumes that the claimed effects refer to reduction in rated perceived exertion/effort during exercise.
The Panel considers that a reduction in rated perceived exertion/effort during exercise is a beneficial physiological effect.
2.2. Zwiększenie jelitowego wchłaniania wody podczas wysiłku (ID 314, 315, 316, 317, 319, 322, 325, 332, 408, 465, 473, 1168, 1574, 1593, 1618, 4302, 4309)
The claimed effects are “water and electrolyte balance”, “rehydration”, “nutrient absorption”, “hydration”, “better/faster fluid delivery with a combination of carbohydrates than with glucose alone”, “electrolyte balance/rehydration”, “potassium/water/electrolyte-balance;diuretic”, “ergogenic role in sports and exercise”, and “contains essential electrolytes for better recovery”. The Panel assumes that the target population is active individuals performing endurance exercise.
In the context of the proposed wordings and the references provided, the Panel assumes that the claimed effects refer to an enhanced absorption of water during exercise.
The Panel considers that an enhancement of water absorption during exercise may be a beneficial physiological effect.
2.3. Utrzymanie wytrzymałości podczas wysiłku (ID 466, 469)
The claimed effects are “endurance; increased endurance capacity; increased endurance performance; delayed fatigue” and “endurance in heat”. The Panel assumes that the target population is active individuals performing endurance exercise.
Endurance performance relates to the ability of completing certain tasks with higher intensity, faster, or with a higher power output when performing long-term exercise.
The Panel considers that maintenance of endurance performance is a beneficial physiological effect.
3. Naukowe uzasadnienia wpływu na zdrowie człowieka -
3.1. Obniżenie stopnia odczuwania wysiłki (RPE) podczas ćwiczeń (ID 460, 466, 467, 468)
Several of the references provided for the scientific substantiation of this claim addressed the effects of carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions differing in composition from those defined by the SCF (2001) and/or addressed health outcomes (e.g. carbohydrate oxidation rates during exercise) unrelated to the claimed effect. In some studies, details regarding the composition of the carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions used were not reported, so that it was not possible to judge whether the test solution was comparable to the food which is the subject of this opinion. Some of the human intervention studies provided did not include a carbohydrate- and electrolyte-free water placebo as a comparator. The remaining references were narrative reviews which did not provide original data for the substantiation of the claim, or consensus opinions in which the claimed effect was not evaluated. 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 carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions and reduction in rated perceived exertion/effort during exercise.
3.2. Zwiększenie jelitowego wchłaniania wody podczas wysiłku (ID 314, 315, 316, 317, 319, 322, 325, 332, 408, 465, 473, 1168, 1574, 1593, 1618, 4302, 4309)
Water losses incurred under physical exercise have to be replaced with appropriate amounts of water (EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products Nutrition and Allergies (NDA), 2010). The goal of fluid intake during exercise is to prevent excessive dehydration (>2% body weight loss from water deficit) to avert compromised exercise performance.
The evidence provided by consensus opinions/reports from authoritative bodies shows that glucose-electrolyte solutions with an osmolality which is isotonic or slightly hypotonic with respect to plasma (i.e. 200-330 mOsm/kg water) maximise the rate of water uptake, and that the addition of carbohydrates to electrolyte solutions promotes water absorption in the small intestine. Sodium in a concentration between 20-50 mmol/L stimulates carbohydrate and water uptake in the small intestine, and helps to maintain extracellular fluid volume (SCF, 2001).
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the consumption of carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions and enhancement of water absorption during exercise.
3.3. Utrzymanie wytrzymałości podczas wysiłku (ID 466, 469)
Dehydration decreases physical exercise performance. Athletes who incur substantial fluid deficits during endurance exercise may experience a decrease in performance, especially in events of long duration that take place in the heat and/or at high altitudes.
The evidence provided by consensus opinions/reports from authoritative bodies such as the SCF or the American College of Sports Medicine shows that there is good consensus on the role of beverages containing carbohydrates and electrolytes (in particular sodium) in maintaining performance during prolonged endurance exercise, relative to plain water, and that the consumption of beverages containing electrolytes and carbohydrates during exercise can help maintain fluid and electrolyte balance, as well as endurance exercise performance (Rodriguez et al., 2009; Sawka et al., 2007; SCF, 2001).
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the consumption of carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions and maintenance of endurance performance.
4. Uwagi do zaproponowanego brzmienia oświadczenia
4.1. Zwiększenie jelitowego wchłaniania wody podczas wysiłku (ID 314, 315, 316, 317, 319, 322, 325, 332, 408, 465, 473, 1168, 1574, 1593, 1618, 4302, 4309)
The following wording reflects the scientific evidence: “Carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions enhance the absorption of water during physical exercise”.
4.2. Utrzymanie wytrzymałości podczas wysiłku (ID 466, 469)
The following wording reflects the scientific evidence: “Carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions can contribute to the maintenance of endurance performance during prolonged endurance exercise”.
5. Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia
5.1. Zwiększenie jelitowego wchłaniania wody podczas wysiłku (ID 314, 315, 316, 317, 319, 322, 325, 332, 408, 465, 473, 1168, 1574, 1593, 1618, 4302, 4309)
The Panel considers that in order to bear the claim carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions should contain 80-350 kcal/L from carbohydrates, and at least 75 % of the energy should be derived from carbohydrates which induce a high glycaemic response, such as glucose, glucose polymers and sucrose. In addition, these beverages should contain between 20 mmol/L (460 mg/L) and 50 mmol/L (1,150 mg/L) of sodium, and have an osmolality between 200-330 mOsm/kg water. The target population is active individuals performing endurance exercise.
5.2. Utrzymanie wytrzymałości podczas wysiłku (ID 466, 469)
The Panel considers that in order to bear the claim carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions should contain 80-350 kcal/L from carbohydrates, and at least 75 % of the energy should be derived from carbohydrates which induce a high glycaemic response, such as glucose, glucose polymers and sucrose. In addition, these beverages should contain between 20 mmol/L (460 mg/L) and 50 mmol/L (1,150 mg/L) of sodium, and have an osmolality between 200-330 mOsm/kg water. The target population is active individuals performing endurance exercise.
Wnioski
On the basis of the data presented, the Panel concludes that: The food, carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions, which is the subject of the health claims, is sufficiently characterised in relation to the claimed effects.
Reduction in rated perceived exertion/effort during exercise (ID 460, 466, 467, 468) The claimed effect is “attenuation of the perception of effort and reduction in pleasure”, “recovery; enhanced subsequent endurance capacity; delayed fatigue” and “endurance; increased endurance capacity; increased endurance performance; delayed fatigue”. The target population is assumed to be active individuals performing exercise. In the context of the proposed wordings and the references provided, it is assumed that the claimed effects refer to reduction in rated perceived exertion/effort during exercise. Reduction in rated perceived exertion/effort during exercise is a beneficial physiological effect. A cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions and reduction in rated perceived exertion/effort during exercise.
Enhancement of water absorption during exercise (ID 314, 315, 316, 317, 319, 322, 325, 332, 408, 465, 473, 1168, 1574, 1593, 1618, 4302, 4309) The claimed effects are “water and electrolyte balance”, “rehydration”, “nutrient absorption”, “hydration”, “better/faster fluid delivery with a combination of carbohydrates than with glucose alone”, “electrolyte balance/rehydration”, “potassium/water/electrolyte-balance; diuretic”, “ergogenic role in sports and exercise”, and “contains essential electrolytes for better recovery”. The target population is assumed to be active individuals performing endurance exercise. Enhancement of water absorption during exercise may be a beneficial physiological effect. A cause and effect relationship has been established between the consumption of carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions and enhancement of water absorption during exercise. The following wording reflects the scientific evidence: “Carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions enhance the absorption of water during physical exercise”. In order to bear the claim carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions should contain 80-350 kcal/L from carbohydrates, and at least 75 % of the energy should be derived from carbohydrates which induce a high glycaemic response, such as glucose, glucose polymers and sucrose. In addition, these beverages should contain between 20 mmol/L (460 mg/L) and 50 mmol/L (1,150 mg/L) of sodium, and have an osmolality between 200-330 mOsm/kg water. The target population is active individuals performing endurance exercise.
Maintenance of endurance performance (ID 466, 469) The claimed effects are “endurance; increased endurance capacity; increased endurance performance; delayed fatigue” and “endurance in heat”. The target population is assumed to be active individuals performing endurance exercise. Maintenance of endurance performance is a beneficial physiological effect. A cause and effect relationship has been established between the consumption of carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions and maintenance of endurance performance. The following wording reflects the scientific evidence: “Carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions can contribute to the maintenance of endurance performance during prolonged endurance exercise”. In order to bear the claim carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions should contain 80-350 kcal/L from carbohydrates, and at least 75 % of the energy should be derived from carbohydrates which induce a high glycaemic response, such as glucose, glucose polymers and sucrose. In addition, these beverages should contain between 20 mmol/L (460 mg/L) and 50 mmol/L (1,150 mg/L) of sodium, and have an osmolality between 200-330 mOsm/kg water. The target population is active individuals performing endurance exercise.
