Carbohydrate solutions and contribute to the improvement of physical performance during a high‐intensity and long‐lasting physical exercise: evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Following an application from Specialised Nutrition Europe (SNE), submitted for authorisation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of France, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to carbohydrate solutions and contribute to the improvement of physical performance during a high‐intensity and long‐lasting physical exercise. The scope of the application was proposed to fall under a health claim based on newly developed scientific evidence. The food proposed by the applicant as the subject of the health claim is carbohydrate solutions containing glucose, mixtures of glucose and fructose, sucrose and/or maltodextrins. The Panel considers that carbohydrate solutions are sufficiently characterised in relation to the claimed effect. The claimed effect proposed by the applicant is ‘contribute to the improvement of physical performance during a high‐intensity and long‐lasting physical exercise’, which is considered by the Panel as a beneficial physiological effect. The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the consumption of carbohydrate solutions and the improvement of physical performance during high‐intensity and long‐lasting physical exercise. The target population is healthy trained adults performing high‐intensity (at least at 65% of the VO_2max) and long‐lasting (at least 60 min) physical exercise.