The complexity of proving health effects with data on ‘traditional use’: A critical perspective on supporting botanical health claims

The importance of a well-functioning and balanced immune system has become more apparent in recent decades. Various elements have however not yet been uncovered as shown, for example, in the uncertainty on immune system responses to COVID-19. Fungal beta-glucans are bioactive molecules with immunomodulating properties. Insights into the effects and function of beta-glucans, which have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, advances with the help of modern immunological and biotechnological methods. However, it is still unclear into which area beta-glucans fit best: supplements or medicine? This review has highlighted the potential application of fungal beta-glucans in nutrition and medicine, reviewing their formulation, efficacy, safety profile, and immunomodulating effects. The current status of dietary fungal glucans with respect to the European scientific requirements for health claims related to the immune system and defense against pathogens has been reviewed. Comparing the evidence base of the putative health effects of fungal beta-glucan supplements with the published guidance documents by EFSA on substantiating immune stimulation and pathogen defense by food products shows that fungal beta-glucans could play a role in supporting and maintaining health and, thus, can be seen as a good health-promoting substance from food, which could mean that this effect may also be claimed if approved. In addition to these developments related to food uses of beta-glucan-containing supplements, beta-glucans could also hold a novel position in Western medicine as the concept of trained immunity is relatively new and has not been investigated to a large extent. These innovative concepts, together with the emerging success of modern immunological and biotechnological methods, suggest that fungal glucans may play a promising role in both perspectives, and that there are possibilities for traditional medicine to provide an immunological application in both medicine and nutrition.

Download Full-text

Should botanical health claims be substantiated with evidence on traditional use? Reviewing the stakeholders’ arguments

PharmaNutrition ◽

10.1016/j.phanu.2020.100232 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 ◽

pp. 100232

Author(s):

Karin G.M. Lenssen ◽

Aalt Bast ◽

Alie de Boer

Keyword(s):

Health Claims ◽

Traditional Use

Download Full-text

Dietary fibre in Europe: current state of knowledge on definitions, sources, recommendations, intakes and relationships to health

Nutrition Research Reviews ◽

10.1017/s095442241700004x ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 30 (2) ◽

pp. 149-190 ◽

Cited By ~ 118

Author(s):

Alison M. Stephen ◽

Martine M.-J. Champ ◽

Susan J. Cloran ◽

Mathilde Fleith ◽

Lilou van Lieshout ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Effects ◽

Dietary Fibre ◽

Disease Risk ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Good Health ◽

Food Composition ◽

Health Claims ◽

Food Sources ◽

Food Composition Tables ◽

The Impact

AbstractResearch into the analysis, physical properties and health effects of dietary fibre has continued steadily over the last 40–50 years. From the knowledge gained, countries have developed guidelines for their populations on the optimal amount of fibre to be consumed each day. Food composition tables from many countries now contain values for the dietary fibre content of foods, and, from these, combined with dietary surveys, population intakes have been determined. The present review assessed the uniformity of the analytical methods used, health claims permitted, recommendations and intakes, particularly from national surveys across Europe and around the world. It also assessed current knowledge on health effects of dietary fibre and related the impact of different fibre types on health. The overall intent was to be able to provide more detailed guidance on the types of fibre which should be consumed for good health, rather than simply a total intake figure, the current situation. Analysis of data indicated a fair degree of uniformity in the definition of dietary fibre, the method used for analysis, the recommended amount to be consumed and a growing literature on effects on digestive health and disease risk. However, national dietary survey data showed that intakes do not reach recommendations and very few countries provide guidance on the types of fibre that are preferable to achieve recommended intakes. Research gaps were identified and ideas suggested to provide information for more detailed advice to the public about specific food sources that should be consumed to achieve health benefits.

Download Full-text

Health effects of olive oil polyphenols: Recent advances and possibilities for the use of health claims

Molecular Nutrition & Food Research ◽

10.1002/mnfr.201200421 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 57 (5) ◽

pp. 760-771 ◽

Cited By ~ 154

Author(s):

Sandra Martín-Peláez ◽

María Isabel Covas ◽

Montserrat Fitó ◽

Anita Kušar ◽

Igor Pravst

Keyword(s):

Olive Oil ◽

Health Effects ◽

Health Claims ◽

Recent Advances

Download Full-text

The ascent of the blessed: regulatory issues on health effects and health claims for probiotics in Europe and the rest of the world

Beneficial Microbes ◽

10.3920/bm2017.0196 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 717-723 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

T.M.G. Dronkers ◽

L. Krist ◽

F.J. Van Overveld ◽

G.T. Rijkers

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Health Effects ◽

Scientific Evidence ◽

Developed Countries ◽

Health Claims ◽

Health Claim ◽

Regulatory Issues ◽

Negative Results ◽

The World

The outcome of the first series of health claim applications for probiotics in Europe as evaluated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has, up to 2013 almost completely yielded negative results. All recent applications also have been rejected, including the latest on prevention of mastitis in breastfeeding mothers. In other developed countries, such as Switzerland, Japan and Canada, the health effects of probiotics, for which scientific evidence has been provided, can be communicated to potential consumers. The number of clinical trials with probiotics over recent years shows a trend to level off or even decline. At the same time, clinical research into the role of (gut) microbiota in a wide variety of diseases and conditions is booming. Ultimately, this may offer new indications for gut microbiota management by probiotics, prebiotics or other food supplements.

Download Full-text

Consumers’ Perceptions of Coffee Health Benefits and Motives for Coffee Consumption and Purchasing

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu11030653 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 653 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Antonella Samoggia ◽

Bettina Riedel

Keyword(s):

Health Effects ◽

Health Benefits ◽

Coffee Consumption ◽

Health Claims ◽

Therapeutic Effects ◽

Positive Health ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Traditional Markets ◽

Social Settings ◽

Health Claims Data

Coffee is popular worldwide and consumption is increasing, particularly in non-traditional markets. There is evidence that coffee consumption may have beneficial health effects. Consumers’ beliefs in the health benefits of coffee are unclear. The study aimed at analyzing consumers’ perceptions of coffee health benefits, consumption and purchasing motives of coffee consumers with positive perceptions of coffee health benefits, and willingness to pay for coffee with associated health claims. Data were collected through a face-to-face survey with consumers, resulting in a convenience sample of 250 questionnaires valid for data elaboration. Results were elaborated with factor analysis and logistic regression analysis. Findings revealed that a relevant minority of consumers believed that coffee could have positive health effects. The consumer with a positive perception of coffee health benefits is mostly male, young, works, is familiar with non-espresso-based coffee, consumes a limited amount of coffee (generally not for breakfast and often in social settings), and buys coffee at retail outlets. Consumers drink coffee for its energetic and therapeutic effects. Coffee consumption is still price-driven, but consumers are interested in purchasing coffee with associated health claims. There is the opportunity to improve the perception of coffee health benefits in consumers’ minds.

Download Full-text

What is a health benefit? An evaluation of EFSA opinions on health benefits with reference to probiotics

Beneficial Microbes ◽

10.3920/bm2013.0019 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

pp. 223-230 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

K.H. Binnendijk ◽

G.T. Rijkers

Keyword(s):

General Population ◽

Human Health ◽

Health Effects ◽

Health Benefit ◽

Health Claims ◽

Gut Health ◽

Health Claim ◽

Future Health ◽

The Past ◽

Scientific Substantiation

Probiotics are microorganisms that have a beneficial effect on the health of the host. However, before these effects can be referred to as beneficial to human health, such claims need to be evaluated by regulatory institutes such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and allergies (NDA) has published their opinions regarding health claims including probiotics, most of which were rejected in the past years. Using the EFSA database, the NDA dossiers published between 2005 and 2013 were analysed to provide an overview on what grounds certain health effects were accepted as beneficial and others not. The NDA Panel distinguishes between claims that are definitely beneficial, possibly beneficial or non-beneficial to human health. Overall, 78% of all analysed health claims are considered by the NDA Panel as (possibly) beneficial to human health, in particular the gut health effects. Since, in many cases, the scientific substantiation of a particular health claim was deemed insufficient, most applications were turned down. For future health claim applications concerning probiotics to be successful, they should include specific statements on what exactly the microorganism affects, and the scientific substantiation of the particular health claim should be based on the targeted (general) population.

Download Full-text

Measurements in 3D images

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100086349 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 49 ◽

pp. 408-409

Author(s):

John C. Russ

Keyword(s):

Three Dimensional ◽

Image Plane ◽

X Rays ◽

Traditional Use ◽

3D Images ◽

Confocal Scanning Laser Microscope ◽

Hard Materials ◽

Depth Direction ◽

Confocal Scanning ◽

Confocal Scanning Laser

Three-dimensional (3D) images consisting of arrays of voxels can now be routinely obtained from several different types of microscopes. These include both the transmission and emission modes of the confocal scanning laser microscope (but not its most common reflection mode), the secondary ion mass spectrometer, and computed tomography using electrons, X-rays or other signals. Compared to the traditional use of serial sectioning (which includes sequential polishing of hard materials), these newer techniques eliminate difficulties of alignment of slices, and maintain uniform resolution in the depth direction. However, the resolution in the z-direction may be different from that within each image plane, which makes the voxels non-cubic and creates some difficulties for subsequent analysis.

Download Full-text