EFSA Adopts DRVs for Nutrient Intake

PARMA, ItalyEFSAs Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies established dietary reference values (DRV) for the intake of carbohydrates, dietary fiber, fats and water. The opinions published were adopted by the panel after consultation with member states, the scientific community and other stakeholders.

DRVs indicate the amount of an individual nutrient that people need for good health depending on their age and gender. The European Commission asked EFSA to update previous European advice in this area, taking into account new scientific evidence and recent recommendations issued at national and international level. EFSA delivers its first opinions on dietary reference values (DRVs) for carbohydrates dietary fiber, fats, and water. These will be followed by opinions on DRVs for vitamins and minerals.

The panel concluded:

The intake of total carbohydratesincluding carbohydrates from starchy foods such as potatoes and pasta, and from simple carbohydrates such as sugarsshould range from 45 percent to 60 percent of the total energy intake for both adults and children.

For sugars there is good evidence that frequent consumption of foods high in sugars increases the risk of tooth decay. Data also show links between high intakes of sugars in form of sugar sweetened beverages and weight gain. The panel however found there was insufficient evidence to set an upper limit for sugars. This is because the possible health effects are mainly related to patterns of food consumptioni.e., the types of foods consumed and how often they are consumedrather than a relation to the total intake of sugars itself. Evidence regarding patterns of consumption of sugar-containing foods should be considered by policy makers when making nutrition recommendations and developing food-based dietary guidelines at national level.

A daily intake of 25 grams of dietary fiber is adequate for normal bowel function in adults. In addition evidence in adults shows there are health benefits associated with higher intakes of dietary fiber (e.g. reduced risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and weight maintenance).

Evidence is still inconclusive on the role of the glycemic index and glycemic load in maintaining weight and preventing diet-related diseases.

Intakes of fats should range between 20 percent to 35 percent of the total energy intake, with different values given for infants and young children taking into account their specific developmental needs.

There is good evidence that higher intakes of saturated fats and trans fats lead to increased blood cholesterol levels which may contribute to development of heart disease. Limiting the intake of saturated and tran fats, with replacement by mono- and poly-unsaturated fatty acids, should be considered by policy makers when making nutrient recommendations and developing food-based dietary guidelines at national level.

A daily intake of 250 mg of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids for adults may reduce the risk of heart disease.

For water a daily intake of 2.0 liters is considered adequate for women and 2.5 liters for men. 

The NDA Panel also published two further opinions, one laying down the general principles for establishing dietary reference values, and another providing advice to policymakers on how to translate nutritional recommendations into messages about foods, called food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs).