title: 26th Hohenheim Consensus Conference, September 11, 2010 Scientific substantiation of health claims: evidence-based nutrition.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective was to define the term evidence based nutrition on the basis of expert discussions and scientific evidence.
  
  
  METHODS
  The method used is the established Hohenheim Consensus Conference. The term "Hohenheim Consensus Conference" defines conferences dealing with nutrition-related topics. The major aim of the conference is to review the state of the art of a given topic with experts from different areas (basic science, clinicians, epidemiologists, etc.). Based on eight to 12 questions, the experts discuss short answers and try to come to a consensus. A scientifically based text is formulated that justifies the consensus answer. To discuss the requirements for the scientific substantiation of claims, the 26th Hohenheim Consensus Conference gathered the views of many academic experts in the field of nutritional research and asked these experts to address the various aspects of a claims substantiation process and the possibilities and limitations of the different approaches.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The experts spent a day presenting and discussing their views and arrived at several consensus statements that can serve as guidance for bodies performing claims assessments in the framework of regulatory systems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 26th Hohenheim Consensus Conference addresses some general aspects and describes the current scientific status from the point of view of six case studies to illustrate specific areas of scientific interest: carotenoids and vitamin A in relation to age-related macular degeneration, the quality of carbohydrates (as expressed by the glycemic index) in relation to health and well-being, probiotics in relation to intestinal and immune functions, micronutrient intake and maintenance of normal body functions, and food components with antioxidative properties and health benefits.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biological Chemistry and Nutrition, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany. biesal@uni-hohenheim.de
authors.forename: Hans Konrad
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Biesalski
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Aggett
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Anton
authors.forename: Paul S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Bernstein
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Blumberg
authors.forename: Robert P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Heaney
authors.forename: Jeya
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Henry
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Nolan
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: van Ommen
authors.forename: Renger F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Witkamp
authors.forename: Ger T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Rijkers
authors.forename: Iris
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zöllner
mesh_terms: D015984:Causality; D003226:Congresses as Topic; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005502:Food / Q000592:standards*; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000178:diet therapy; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009752:Nutritional Status; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D018977:Micronutrients; D014801:Vitamin A