BOTANICAL extracts provided negligible nutrition however could increase element exposure; inorganic arsenic and lead were concerns.
What This Risk–Benefit Study Measured
Botanical extracts are widely used for perceived health benefits, yet their long-term safety in routine use is not always well defined. In this analysis, researchers evaluated 25 botanical extracts and estimated how much ten elements people might chronically ingest when these products are included in an adult diet. The assessment included essential elements such as calcium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, and zinc, alongside potentially toxic elements including aluminum, arsenic, nickel, and lead.
Botanical Extracts Offered Minimal Nutritional Value
Across intake scenarios, the model suggested botanicals alone made only a small contribution to mineral intake relative to dietary reference values. The estimated range from low to high consumers remained modest, indicating these products were unlikely to materially improve essential element intake on their own. In practical terms, any presumed mineral “benefit” appeared limited within the evaluated dietary context.
Botanical Extracts and Toxic Elements
The more clinically relevant signals were tied to toxic element exposure. Inorganic arsenic stood out, with margin of exposure estimates for skin cancer spanning a wide range that included values considered concerning in the study’s framework. Lead also emerged as a potential issue when botanical extracts were added on top of a baseline diet, with margins of exposure for nephrotoxic and cardiovascular effects falling below the study’s stated threshold.
The authors also examined combined, non-cancer risks using a cumulative approach. A hazard index above 1 was observed only when botanicals were considered in addition to the baseline diet, driven by cumulative exposure to aluminum, inorganic arsenic, iron, nickel, and zinc. These findings suggest that any incremental exposure from botanicals may matter most when layered onto existing dietary background exposure.
Why the Probabilistic Approach Matters
Rather than relying on a single point estimate, the study used a probabilistic method to reflect variability in intake across adults. The overarching message was cautious: botanical extracts may offer limited mineral benefit, while potential risks, including exposure to toxic elements, could outweigh presumed advantages when used alongside an otherwise typical diet.
Reference: Lanza GT et al. Essential and toxic elements intake from botanical extracts: a probabilistic risk-benefit evaluation within the Italian dietary context. J Sci Food Agric. 2026;doi:10.1002/jsfa.70494.
