Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to various food(s)/food constituent(s) and protection of cells from premature aging, antioxidant activity, antioxidant content and antioxidant properties, and protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/20061

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 food(s)/food constituent(s) and the following claimed effects: protection of cells from premature aging, antioxidant, antioxidant content and antioxidant properties, and protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage. 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. Protection of cells from premature aging The claimed effects are "antioxidant activity" and "antioxidant properties". The target population is assumed to be the general population. The proposed wordings include "protect cells from premature aging", "antioxidant containing foods support of healthy aging". The Panel considers that the claimed effect " protect cells from premature aging" does not comply with the criteria laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. Antioxidant activity, antioxidant content, and antioxidant properties The claimed effects are " antioxidant activity/content" and/or " antioxidant properties". The target population is assumed to be the general population. The Panel assumes that these claimed effects refer to the capacity of food/constituents to scavenge free radicals and/or to their reducing capacity. The Panel considers that no evidence has been provided to establish that having antioxidant activity/content and/or antioxidant properties is a beneficial physiological 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 the food(s)/food constituent(s) evaluated in this opinion and a beneficial physiological effect related to antioxidant activity, antioxidant content, or antioxidant properties. Protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage The claimed effects refer to the protection of body cells and molecules (such as DNA, proteins and lipids) from oxidative damage, including UV-induced oxidative damage. The target population is assumed to be the general population. The Panel considers that the protection of molecules such as DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage may be a beneficial physiological effect. No human studies which investigated the effects of the food(s)/food constituent(s) on reliable markers of oxidative damage to body cells or to molecules such as DNA, proteins and lipids have been provided in relation to any of the health claims evaluated in this opinion. The evidence provided in the animal and in vitro studies submitted is not sufficient to predict the occurrence of an effect of the food(s)/food constituent(s) on the protection of body cells and molecules such as DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage in vivo 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 the food(s)/food constituent(s) evaluated in this opinion and the protection of body cells and molecules such as DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage.