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Habs, Michael ; Binder, Karin ; Krauss, Stefan ; Müller, Karolina ; Ernst, Brigitte ; Valentini, Luzia ; Koller, Michael

A Balanced Risk–Benefit Analysis to Determine Human Risks Associated with Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids (PA)—The Case of Tea and Herbal Infusions

Habs, Michael, Binder, Karin , Krauss, Stefan , Müller, Karolina, Ernst, Brigitte, Valentini, Luzia and Koller, Michael (2017) A Balanced Risk–Benefit Analysis to Determine Human Risks Associated with Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids (PA)—The Case of Tea and Herbal Infusions. Nutrients 9 (7), p. 717.

Date of publication of this fulltext: 12 Jan 2018 11:29
Article
DOI to cite this document: 10.5283/epub.36514


Abstract

Humans are exposed to pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) through different sources, mainly from contaminated foodstuff. Teas and herbal infusions (T&HI) can be contaminated by PA producing weed. PA can possess toxic, mutagenic, genotoxic, and carcinogenic properties. Thus, possible health risks for the general population are under debate. There is a strong safety record for T&HI and additionally ...

Humans are exposed to pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) through different sources, mainly from contaminated foodstuff. Teas and herbal infusions (T&HI) can be contaminated by PA producing weed. PA can possess toxic, mutagenic, genotoxic, and carcinogenic properties. Thus, possible health risks for the general population are under debate. There is a strong safety record for T&HI and additionally epidemiological evidence for the preventive effects of regular tea consumption on cardiovascular events and certain types of cancer. There is no epidemiological evidence, however, for human risks of regular low dose PA exposure. Recommended regulatory PA-threshold values are based on experimental data only, accepting big uncertainties. If a general risk exists through PA contaminated T&HI, it must be small compared to other frequently accepted risks of daily living and the proven health effects of T&HI. Decision making should be based on a balanced riskbenefit analysis. Based on analyses of the scientific data currently available, it is concluded that the benefits of drinking T&HI clearly outweigh the negligible health risk of possible PA contamination. At the same time, manufacturers must continue their efforts to secure good product quality and to be transparent on their measures of quality control and risk communication.



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Details

Item typeArticle
Journal or Publication TitleNutrients
Publisher:MDPI
Open Access Type:Gold (with APC)
Volume:9
Number of Issue or Book Chapter:7
Page Range:p. 717
Date7 July 2017
InstitutionsMedicine > Zentren des Universitätsklinikums Regensburg > Zentrum für Klinische Studien
Mathematics > Prof. Dr. Stefan Krauss
Identification Number
ValueType
10.3390/nu9070717DOI
WOS:000406679700074Web of Science ID
Keywordspyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA); risk–benefit analysis; tea and herbal infusions
Dewey Decimal Classification500 Science > 510 Mathematics
600 Technology > 610 Medical sciences Medicine
StatusPublished
RefereedYes, this version has been refereed
Created at the University of RegensburgUnknown
URN of the UB Regensburgurn:nbn:de:bvb:355-epub-365144
Item ID36514

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