Essential and toxic elements intake from botanical extracts: a probabilistic risk-benefit evaluation within the...

Botanical extracts are widely consumed for their claimed health benefits, yet their safety profile with respect to chronic consumption remains poorly characterized. Understanding the potential health risks associated with their inorganic content is a crucial issue for ensuring safe use, along with a characterization of the concurrent nutritional contribution of the mineral component.

The present study aimed to quantitatively assess exposure levels and potential health impacts of chronic intake of ten essential (Ca, K, P, Fe, Mg and Zn) and potentially toxic (Al, As, Ni and Pb) elements through the consumption of botanical extracts (n = 25) among Italian adults. A probabilistic approach was employed to estimate exposure levels and both risk and benefit metrics. Results indicated that botanicals alone contributed only minimally to mineral intakes, with 5^th to 95^th percentile (P5-P95) ranges covering 0.01-16.80% of the dietary reference values. Exposure to inorganic As (iAs) raised health concerns because margin of exposure (MOE) values for skin cancer a ranged between 0.05 and 80.50 (P5-P95). When botanical extracts were considered alongside the baseline reference diet, Pb intake also raised concern because MOEs for nephrotoxic and cardiovascular effects fell below the critical threshold of 10. Similarly, cumulative exposure to Al, iAs, Fe, Ni and Zn revealed potential non-carcinogenic risks (mean hazard index > 1) only when considering the consumption of botanicals in addition to the baseline diet.

The findings of the present study underscore the importance of the cautious dietary use of botanical extracts because of potential risks that may outweigh the presumed benefits. © 2026 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.