Few health claims pass EFSA gauntlet

 EFSA'S panel tasked with evaluating 'general function' health claims for food products said it had completed assessment of 442 claims, most of which the experts on the panel rejected.
The panel dealing with Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies, or NDA, said claims evaluated with a favourable outcome include the relation between: walnuts and improved function of blood vessels; the antioxidant effects of polyphenols found in olive oil on LDL cholesterol; and the relation between caffeine and alertness and caffeine and increased physical endurance.
 A number of claims based on the replacement of certain nutrients were supported by sufficient scientific evidence, the panel concluded, including: the replacement of digestible starch by resistant starch to lower the increase of blood glucose levels after meals; the replacement of saturated fatty acids with mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids to maintain normal blood cholesterol levels; as well as the role of a range of sugar replacers (e.g. xylitol or sorbitol) in maintaining tooth mineralisation or lowering the increase of blood glucose levels after meals.Nike React Element