FRANKOVA, A., MALIK, J., DRABEK, O., SZAKOVA, J., SPERLINGOVA, I., KLOUCEK, P., NOVY, P., TEJNECKY, V., LANDA, Přemysl, LEUNER, O., KOKOSKA, L. In Vitro Digestibility of Aluminum from Hibiscus sabdariffa Hot Watery Infusion and Its Concentration in Urine of Healthy Individuals. Biological Trace Element Research. 2016, 174(2), 267-273. ISSN 0163-4984. E-ISSN 1559-0720

Increased ingestion of aluminum (Al) can lead to its accumulation in the human body, especially in people with kidney problems. Al is also associated with several nervous diseases and its negative influence on embryo development during pregnancy has been proven in animal models. Hibiscus sabdariffa L. petals are widely used alone or in fruit tea formulas, which are recommended for drinking during pregnancy instead of tea. Its petals can contain similar and even higher amounts of Al as tea, which is a known Al accumulator. Our research investigated whether the regular intake of H. sabdariffa infusion leads to increased burden of Al. Sixteen days of ingestion of H. sabdariffa infusion (c (Al) = 0.5 mg.L-1) led to increased but unbalanced levels (15-86 mu g L-1) of Al in urine compared to a period when the infusion was not ingested. The highest amounts of Al excreted were observed every third day during the ingestion. Mild health problems, such as nausea and dizziness (which could be related to plant properties) were reported by more sensitive volunteers.