Carcinogenic pollutants in herbal tea

Federal Institute for Risk Assessment finds carcinogenic pollutants in tea

07/16/2013

Tea may not be as healthy as it is commonly believed - as the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) reports, carcinogenic substances were found in herbal teas in a research project „a risk of health hazards, especially in children, pregnant women and nursing mothers“ could, so a recent press release of the BfR.

BfR examines different types of tea for pyrrolizidine alkaloids
Tea is generally considered beneficial to health - but now has the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) in various teas carcinogenic substances found. So were in the context of the current research project on the topic „Determination of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in food and feed“ First, various commercial herbal tea and tea samples and tea drugs have been investigated - with the result that in „In some samples, unexpected levels of pyrrolizidine alkaloids were measured in the herbal tea and tea samples“ BfR President Professor dr. Dr. Andreas Hensel. The risk of it: According to the BfR, the pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) were found to be carcinogenic in animal experiments and should be lowered accordingly.

Among other baby fox tea, fennel tea, chamomile tea examined
However, as the BfR points out, "the results do not yet allow for generalized statements, as the research project examined 221 different commercial herbal tea and tea samples as well as tea drugs on the PA content, but these became „not obtained by representative sampling of corresponding products on the German market“, so the statement of the BfR. According to the institute, the analyzed teas were baby fennel tea, fennel tea, chamomile tea, herbal tea, peppermint tea, nettle tea, lemon tea - although green tea, rooibos tea and black tea had also been investigated, according to the institute they were too low Number of samples not taken into account in the overall assessment.

So far, no reliable statements on the health risk possible
In the analysis, the BfR had initially found in some samples unexpectedly high PA levels, but as there were large fluctuations in the values ​​- sometimes even within the same type of tea - according to the BfR could not yet be made statements on the health risk - instead For example, the data collected so far from the research project would have to be included in the framework of the „Food monitoring“ be verified.

Above average levels could be a health risk
Nevertheless, the BfR advises caution, because even if one „Short-term acute health damage unlikely for adults and children“ could be at one „longer-term consumption of above-average quantities of products with the currently measured mean and high levels of pyrrolizidine alkaloids“ Especially in children, pregnant women and nursing women there is a health risk - if the first data of the investigation would be confirmed.

„Consume herbal teas alternately with other drinks“
When „above average“ According to the BfR, this could amount to as much as five teabags per adult per day - so should „Parents should not only offer their children herbal teas and tea“ and „Pregnant women and nursing mothers should also drink herbal tea and tea alternately with other drinks“, so the recommendation of the BfR. In addition, according to BfR President Professor Dr. Andreas Hensel the PA levels are lowered as possible - this would also „Checks of the herbal tea and tea batches before marketing and a determination of the cause by the economic operators“ belong to the message of the institute.

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are formed to protect against predators
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are so-called „secondary plant ingredients“, According to the BfR, these are formed by a large number of globally occurring plant species for protection against predators. The occurrence of PA differs greatly depending on the plant species and part of the plant and is also influenced by other factors such. influenced by the climate or soil conditions. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids can potentially be harmful to health and, for example, lead to acute liver damage in high doses - therefore they are „In particular, 1,2-unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) in food and feed are harmful to health“, so the information of the BfG.

Also honey can be loaded
In this country belong to the corresponding plants for example the Jakobskreuzkraut, the common Geiskraut or the Adder's head, but also honey can be burdened with secondary plant materials. Accordingly „BfR recommends variety and variety in the choice of food to prevent unilateral contamination with various potentially hazardous substances, the occurrence of which in individual foods must be expected“, so the opinion of the institute.

Tea nevertheless proven remedy
Although over-consumption of herbal tea may pose health risks in the long term, enjoying tea in moderation is a true pleasure and, in many cases, it is a natural health aid, as the teas may have a calming or invigorating effect on ingredients, relieving pain or cause a gentle detoxification of the body. It has already been confirmed in several studies that green tea extracts have a health-promoting effect and, for example, can prevent colon cancer. Another way to use tea health promoting is also the preparation of a stomach tea, which often provides for mild stomach problems for relief - important here, however, that the ingredients are tailored to the respective complaints and in case of increasing or recurring pain in any case Doctor is visited. (No)