The European Food and Safety Agency negative to beta glucan immunity health claim.
2 Jun 2010
J. Valverde
The EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) health claim opinion denies immune benefits linked to yeast extract.
According to NutraIngredients (website on dietary supplements, nutraceuticals and functional foods), the German firm Lieber had submitted a health claim 13.5 for its branded product Yestium, a yeast extract from Saccharomyces cerevisiae including 17 scientific references, in which claimed to help reduce common cold.
However it seems that EFSA's Panel sees no strong evidence that beta glucan from yeast can act as immunomodulator or that beta-glucans from yeast support natural defences.
Some of the scientific references used in the health claim were dismissed because they had been conducted by injecting directly on vein (intravenously) the beta-glucan and therefore considered an "inappropriate route of exposure". Other scientific references were dismissed due to technical reasons (immune parameters didn't increase significantly, studies with small number of subjects...).
In conclusion the panel stated that there was no strong evidence of relationship was established between the consumption of Yestium (yeast extract) and immune benefits.
This is not the first time EFSA, turns down beta-glucan health claims. In fact, at least 8 more have been given a negative opinion, most of them related with the consumption of beta glucans and sugar blood level regulation, weight control or cholesterol levels.
Beta glucans and sugar blood levels:
On the basis of the data presented, the Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of beta-glucans and the long-term maintenance or achievement of normal blood glucose concentrations.
Opinion number: ON-1482 http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/scdocs/scdoc/1482.htm
Beta glucans and weight control / cholesterol:
On the basis of the data available the Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of beta-glucans and the maintenance or achievement of a normal body weight.
Opinion number: ON-1254 http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/scdocs/scdoc/1254.htm
