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Fluoride content of retail tea bags and estimates of daily fluoride consumption from typical tea drinking in UK adults and children
Author(s) -
Ruxton C. H. S.,
Bond T. J.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
nutrition bulletin
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.933
H-Index - 40
eISSN - 1467-3010
pISSN - 1471-9827
DOI - 10.1111/nbu.12171
Subject(s) - black tea , percentile , medicine , dietary reference intake , reference daily intake , zoology , population , toxicology , fluoride , food science , environmental health , chemistry , mathematics , nutrient , biology , inorganic chemistry , statistics , organic chemistry
There are concerns that tea could provide fluoride ( F ‐) intakes that exceed safe limits. However, F ‐ intakes at the recommended daily allowance ( RDA ) can support dental health. Benefits and risks were explored in an analysis of UK retail teas. Samples of 49 tea bags and infusions (black blended, speciality/single estate, decaffeinated) were analysed for F ‐/kg dry weight using an ion selective electrode. Standardised infusions were prepared and analysed as for dry tea. Daily F ‐ from tea was estimated by combining estimated UK tea consumption with F‐ in black blended tea. Findings showed that mean F ‐/kg dry weight was 1164 mg black blended, 877 mg speciality and 1464 mg decaffeinated. Infusions contained 4.91 mg/l black blended, 3.0 mg/l speciality and 7 mg/l decaffeinated equating to 0.72–1.68 mg of F ‐ per serving. Based on population means and 95th percentile intakes of tea, including non‐consumers, daily F ‐ intakes from tea were less than the RDA and adequate intake ( AI ) (except for adults with intakes > 95th percentile) but also within age‐appropriate tolerable upper intake levels ( UL ) at both mean and 95th percentile tea intakes. After excluding non‐consumers, intakes of F‐ remained less than UL for all groups except those aged 1.5–3 years or ≥65 years with tea intakes > 95th percentile. In addition, mean F ‐ intakes of all consumers aged less than 65 years were below AI , while F ‐ intakes of those at the 95th centile of tea intake were above AI . This suggests tea can be consumed safely from age of 4 years. Some brands contained sufficient F ‐ for a European Union ( EU ) health claim relating to strengthening and maintaining tooth enamel. In conclusion, typical tea consumption in the UK delivers F ‐ within UL for most age groups not taking into account other sources of F ‐, but greater dental health benefits might be achieved if average adult consumption were to rise to 4–5 servings per day.