Fluoride and aluminum in teas and tea-based beverages

Authors

  • Mitsue Fujimaki Hayacibara Universidade Estadual de Campinas; Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba; Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas
  • Celso Silva Queiroz Universidade Estadual de Campinas; Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba; Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas
  • Cínthia Pereira Machado Tabchoury Universidade Estadual de Campinas; Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba; Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas
  • Jaime Aparecido Cury Universidade Estadual de Campinas; Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba; Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102004000100014

Keywords:

Fluorine^i1^sanaly, Aluminum^i1^sanaly, Beverages^i1^sanaly, Fluorosis, dental, Tea-based beverages

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate fluoride and aluminum concentration in herbal, black, ready-to-drink, and imported teas available in Brazil considering the risks fluoride and aluminum pose to oral and general health, respectively. METHODS: One-hundred and seventy-seven samples of herbal and black tea, 11 types of imported tea and 21 samples of ready-to-drink tea were divided into four groups: I-herbal tea; II-Brazilian black tea (Camellia sinensis); III-imported tea (Camellia sinensis); IV-ready-to-drink tea-based beverages. Fluoride and aluminum were analyzed using ion-selective electrode and atomic absorption, respectively. RESULTS: Fluoride and aluminum levels in herbal teas were very low, but high amounts were found in black and ready-to-drink teas. Aluminum found in all samples analyzed can be considered safe to general health. However, considering 0.07 mg F/kg/day as the upper limit of fluoride intake with regard to undesirable dental fluorosis, some teas exceed the daily intake limit for children. CONCLUSIONS: Brazilian and imported teas made from Camellia sinensis as well as some tea-based beverages are sources of significant amounts of fluoride, and their intake may increase the risk of developing dental fluorosis.

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Published

2004-02-01

Issue

Vol. 38 No. 1 (2004)

Section

Original Articles

How to Cite

Hayacibara, M. F., Queiroz, C. S., Tabchoury, C. P. M., & Cury, J. A. (2004). Fluoride and aluminum in teas and tea-based beverages . Revista De Saúde Pública, 38(1), 100-105. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102004000100014