Human exposure to fluoride from tea (Camellia sinensis) in a volcanic region—Canary Islands, Spain

Rodríguez, Inmaculada; Burgos, Antonio; Rubio, Carmen; Gutiérrez, Angel J.; Paz, Soraya; Rodrigues da Silva Júnior, Flavio M.; Hardisson, Arturo; Revert, Consuelo

Human exposure to fluoride from tea (Camellia sinensis) in a volcanic region—Canary Islands, Spain

2020

Fluoride is highly present in the environment, especially in water and its derivatives. Excessive fluoride contribution to diet poses a health risk. Tea leaves accumulate fluoride and the consumption of tea (Camellia sinensis) could pose a risk to human by the excessive fluoride intake. Ninety tea samples were analyzed by potentiometry using a selective fluoride ion electrode. Mixed tea samples (2.82 ± 1.11 mg/L) and black tea samples (2.28 ± 0.79 mg/L) recorded the highest fluoride levels. The contribution of drinking water is important for increasing fluoride levels in teas. The daily consumption of two cups (250 mL per cup) of mixed and black teas prepared with La Laguna tap water does pose a health risk for children (4–8 years old) because of the high contribution percentages (74.4% and 63.6%, respectively) of the Tolerable Upper Intake Level set in 2.5 mg/day by the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority). A minor consumption in children (4–8 years old) and adults during pregnancy is advisable.

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