Levels of fluoride in traditionally fermented alcoholic beverages commonly consumed in Ethiopia
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Date
2016-06
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Addis Ababa Universty
Abstract
Fluorine is one of several trace elements receiving much attention owing to its possible harmful
effects on health and the environment. Fluorosis is a public health problem in certain part of
Ethiopia, especially in rift valley. Beverages are the largest contributors to an individual’s total
exposure to fluoride. Total daily fluoride exposure can vary markedly from one region to another
depending on concentration of fluoride in drinking water and water-based beverages. The
objective of this study was to determine levels of fluoride in traditional fermented alcoholic
beverages (tella, tej, areki, shamita, borde and korefe) widely consumed in selected areas of
Ethiopia. The beverages samples and the water used for their preparation were collected from the
rift valley and outside rift valley areas of Ethiopia: Adami Tulu, Meki, Alem Tena, Deguna
Fanigo, Debre Birhan, Debre Markos, and Wogera towns. The beverages samples were collected
from local markets and house hold levels in the areas where they are prepared and consumed in
large amount. Levels of fluoride in the beverages and water samples were determined by fluoride
ion selective electrode. The mean fluoride concentration (mg/L) ranged in beverages and
corresponding water samples, respectively, were: tella (0.32-8.19, 0.30-5.06), tej (0.35-5.76,
0.31-5.06), areki (0.52-0.97, 2.09-9.02), shamita (5.26, 0.78), borde (4.95, 0.92) and korefe
(1.39, 0.35). Pearson correlation showed that the levels of fluoride in the traditional fermented
alcoholic beverages were found to correlate positively with the levels found in the water. The
mean daily dietary fluoride intake from the beverages was different with different fluoride
concentration of the water used. In this study, the estimated daily intake of fluoride through
beverages for the regular drinker ranges from 0.004-3.28 mg/day. The beverages prepared using
low concentration of fluoride water is safe for human consumption while beverages prepared
using high concentration of fluoride containing water may cause dental as well as skeletal
fluorosis.
Keywords: Alcoholic beverages; Fermented beverages; Food; Fluoride; Ethiopia
Description
Keywords
Alcoholic beverages, Fermented beverages, Food, Fluoride, Ethiopia