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 pomegranate/pomegranate juice and maintenance of normal blood cholesterol concentrations, maintenance of normal erectile function, protection of lipids from oxidative damage, "antioxidant and anti-aging properties", increase in appetite after unintentional weight loss leading to an increase in energy intake and maintenance of normal blood glucose concentrations. 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. The Panel considers that, whereas pomegranate/pomegranate juice and polyphenols in pomegranate/pomegranate juice are not sufficiently characterised, the food constituents, punicalagin and ellagic acid in pomegranate/pomegranate juice, which the Panel assumes to be the subject of the health claims, are sufficiently characterised. Maintenance of normal blood cholesterol concentrations The claimed effects are "heart health", "cardiovascular health" and "maintaining cholesterol". The target population is assumed to be the general population. In the context of the proposed wordings, the Panel assumes that the claimed effects relate to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol concentrations. The Panel considers that maintenance of normal blood cholesterol concentrations is a beneficial physiological effect. No references were provided from which conclusions could be drawn for the scientific substantiation of the claimed 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 punicalagin/ellagic acid in pomegranate/pomegranate juice and the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol concentrations. Maintenance of normal erectile function The claimed effect is "sexual health in men". The target population is assumed to be the general male population. In the context of the proposed wordings and the clarifications provided by Member States, the Panel assumes that the claimed effect refers to the maintenance of a normal erectile function. The Panel considers that maintenance of normal erectile function is a beneficial physiological effect. Four references were provided in relation to this claim, including three references from which no conclusions could be drawn for the scientific substantiation of the claimed effect. The fourth reference reported on a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover intervention study in male subjects with erectile dysfunction. The Panel notes that pomegranate juice has not been sufficiently characterised with respect to polyphenols (i.e., punicalagin and/or ellagic acid content not specified) and that there was no significant effect of pomegranate juice on erectile function measured using either the Global Assessment Questionnaires (GAQ) score or the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). On the basis of the data presented, the Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of punicalagin/ellagic acid in pomegranate/pomegranate juice and maintenance of normal erectile function. Protection of lipids from oxidative damage The claimed effects are "antioxidative function", "antioxidant properties", and "antioxidants and immunity". The target population is assumed to be the general population. In the context of the proposed wordings and conditions of use, the Panel assumes that the claimed effects relate to the protection of lipids from oxidative damage caused by free radicals. The Panel considers that protection of lipids from oxidative damage may be a beneficial physiological effect. No references were provided from which conclusions could be drawn for the scientific substantiation of the claimed 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 punicalagin/ellagic acid in pomegranate/pomegranate juice and the protection of lipids from oxidative damage. "Antioxidant and anti-aging properties" The claimed effect is "antioxidant and anti-aging properties". The target population is assumed to be the general population. The Panel considers that no evidence has been provided to establish that having antioxidant properties is a beneficial physiological effect. In addition, no definition has been provided of having "anti-aging properties" in relation to the antioxidant properties of foods. The Panel considers that this claimed effect is general and non-specific and does not refer to any specific health claim as required by Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. Increase in appetite after unintentional weight loss leading to an increase in energy intake The claimed effect is "digestion". The target population is assumed to be underweight individuals willing to increase their energy intake. In the context of the proposed wordings, the Panel assumes that the claimed effect refers to the increase in appetite after unintentional weight loss. The Panel considers that increase in appetite after unintentional weight loss leading to an increase in energy intake, if sustained, might be a beneficial physiological effect. No references were provided from which conclusions could be drawn for the scientific substantiation of the claimed 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 punicalagin/ellagic acid in pomegranate/pomegranate juice and a sustained increase in appetite after unintentional weight loss leading to an increase in energy intake. Maintenance of normal blood glucose concentrations The claimed effect is "glucose metabolism". The target population is assumed to be the general population. In the context of the proposed wordings, the Panel assumes that the claimed effect refers to the maintenance of normal blood glucose concentrations. The Panel considers that long-term maintenance of normal blood glucose concentrations is a beneficial physiological effect. No references were provided from which conclusions could be drawn for the scientific substantiation of the claimed 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 punicalagin/ellagic acid in pomegranate/pomegranate juice and maintenance of normal blood glucose concentrations.
