Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze (tea), including catechins in green tea and tannins in black tea, and protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage (ID 1103, 1276, 1311, 1708, 2664), reduction of acid production in dental plaque (ID 1105, 1111), maintenance of bone (ID 1109), decreasing potentially pathogenic intestinal microorganisms (ID 1116), maintenance of vision (ID 1280), maintenance of normal blood pressure (ID 1546) and maintenance of normal blood cholesterol concentrations (ID 1113, 1114) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies was asked to provide a scientific opinion on a list of health claims pursuant to Article 13 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. This opinion addresses the scientific substantiation of health claims in relation to Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze (tea), including catechins in green tea and tannins in black tea, and protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage, reduction of acid production in dental plaque, maintenance of bone, decreasing potentially pathogenic intestinal microorganisms, maintenance of vision, maintenance of normal blood pressure and maintenance of normal blood cholesterol concentrations. The scientific substantiation is based on the information provided by the Member States in the consolidated list of Article 13 health claims and references that EFSA has received from Member States or directly from stakeholders. The food constituents that are the subject of the health claims are Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze, catechins present in green tea, and epigallo-catechin-3-gallate (EGCG). The Panel considers that whereas Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze (tea) is not sufficiently characterised in relation to the claimed effects, catechins in green tea (including EGCG) and tannins in black tea for reduction of acid production in dental plaque are sufficiently characterised. Protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage The claimed effects are antioxidant, natural antioxidant and protection of body tissues and cells from oxidative damage. The target population is assumed to be the general population. In the context of the proposed wordings, the Panel assumes that the claimed effects relate to the protection of body cells and molecules from oxidative damage caused by free radicals. The Panel considers that protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage may be a beneficial physiological effect. No studies with appropriate endpoints to assess oxidative damage of DNA within cells, oxidative damage to proteins, or studies investigating a sustained effect of green tea catechins on lipid peroxidation have been presented to substantiate the claimed effect. On the basis of the data presented, the Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of catechins (including EGCG) in green tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) and the protection of DNA, proteins or lipids from oxidative damage. Reduction of acid production in dental plaque The claimed effects are oral health and teeth. The target population is assumed to be the general population. In the context of the proposed wordings, the Panel assumes that the claimed effect relates to the reduction of acid production in dental plaque. The Panel considers that the reduction of acid production in dental plaque is a beneficial physiological effect. No human studies investigating the effect of the consumption of either catechins or tannins in Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze on acid production were presented. On the basis of the data presented, the Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of either catechins or tannins in Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze and reduction of acid production in dental plaque. Maintenance of bone The claimed effects are maintenance of healthy bones and bone strength. The target population is assumed to be the general population. In the context of the proposed wordings, the Panel notes that the claimed effects relate to the maintenance of normal bone. The Panel considers that the maintenance of normal bone is a beneficial physiological effect. No human studies which addressed the effects of either catechins or tannins in Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze on bone were provided. On the basis of the data presented, the Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of either catechins or tannins in Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze and maintenance of normal bone. Decreasing potentially pathogenic intestinal microorganisms The claimed effect is gut flora. The target population is assumed to be the general population. Gut flora is not sufficiently defined. In the context of the proposed wording, the Panel assumes that the claimed effect refers to aspects of: maintain healthy gut flora and improve the beneficial bacteria after the antibacterial drug intake. The Panel considers that maintain healthy gut flora in the context of decreasing potentially pathogenic intestinal microorganisms might be a beneficial physiological effect. No human studies which addressed the effects of catechins in green tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) on the number of potentially pathogenic intestinal microorganisms were provided. On the basis of the data presented, the Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of catechins in green tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) and decreasing potentially pathogenic intestinal microorganisms. Maintenance of vision The claimed effect is eye health. The target population is assumed to be the general population. The Panel considers that maintenance of normal vision is a beneficial physiological effect. No human studies which addressed the effects of catechins in green tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) on maintenance of normal vision were provided. On the basis of the data presented, the Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of catechins in green tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) and maintenance of normal vision. Maintenance of normal blood pressure The claimed effect is cardiovascular health. The target population is assumed to be the general population. In the context of the proposed wording, the Panel notes that the claimed effect relates to the maintenance of normal blood pressure. The Panel considers that maintenance of normal blood pressure is a beneficial physiological effect. In weighing the evidence, the Panel took into account that none of the human studies presented reported on daily intakes of the food constituent that is the subject of this health claim (i.e., EGCG in green tea), and that the evidence provided in the animal studies does not predict the occurrence of an effect of green tea (including EGCG) consumption on the maintenance of normal blood pressure in humans. On the basis of the data presented, the Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of EGCG in green tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) and the maintenance of a normal blood pressure. Maintenance of normal blood cholesterol concentrations The claimed effects are cholesterol and heart health. The target population is assumed to be the general population. In the context of the proposed wordings, the Panel notes that the claimed effect relates to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol concentrations. The Panel considers that maintenance of normal blood cholesterol concentrations is a beneficial physiological effect. In weighing the evidence, the Panel took into account that all three small-scale human randomised, placebo-controlled intervention trials presented failed to observe an effect of green tea catechin consumption on blood cholesterol concentrations. On the basis of the data presented, the Panel considers that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of catechins in green tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) and the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol concentrations.