Riscos dos suplementos alimentares para emagrecer contendo sinefrina e cafeína disponíveis em Portugal
Palavras-chave:
Cafeína, Citrus aurantium, Suplementos nutricionais, Sinefrina, Toxicidade, Perda de pesoResumo
Objetivo
Cafeína e sinefrina são normalmente incluídas em produtos para perda de peso devido aos alegados efeitos termogénicos. Neste estudo foi avaliada a quantidade de cafeína e sinefrina encontrada em suplementos alimentares disponíveis em sítios da internet que enviam para Portugal. Além disso, investigou-se se essas quantidades estão de acordo com as recomendações das autoridades de saúde e alimentares.
Métodos
Este estudo observacional realizou uma busca em sítios da internet que vendem suplementos desportivos, nos quais foram analisados os rótulos. Os critérios de inclusão foram suplementos que continham sinefrina e cafeína, independentemente da quantidade e do uso. Os critérios de exclusão foram suplementos que continham apenas um dos componentes e aqueles cujas quantidades dos ingredientes não estavam discriminadas no rótulo.
Resultados
Foram encontrados 20 suplementos alimentares, os quais possuíam sinefrina na forma de extrato de laranja amarga (Citrus aurantium). Foi encontrada uma mediana de 153 mg (IC 95%: 40-334) para o extrato. Os níveis medianos estimados de sinefrina foram 11 mg (IC 95%: 6-20). Relativamente à cafeína, a mediana foi de 200 mg (IC 95%: 176-250), embora o valor possa ser mais elevado dada a presença de várias fontes vegetais de cafeína. Além disso, 65% dos suplementos excedem os limites recomendados pelo Instituto Federal Alemão de Avaliação dos Riscos para a sinefrina e 30% apresentam mais de 200 mg de cafeína.
Conclusão
Dessa forma, foi possível concluir que 65% e 30% dos suplementos alimentares excedem as quantidades recomendadas pelas autoridades de segurança alimentar de sinefrina e cafeína, respetivamente, o que poderá colocar em risco a saúde do consumidor.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Catarina Martins Cepêda, João Paulo Capela
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