Fluoride intake from the consumption of refreshment drinks and natural juices

Fluoride plays an important role in the prevention of dental decay and in the reduction of osteoporosis. However, due to the multiple dietary sources of fluoride, the recommended intake can be exceeded on a prolonged basis and may have a harmful effect on health. In particular, high intakes of fluoride can cause dental fluorosis in the child population. For the above reason, the fluoride content was determined in 65 samples of different refreshment drinks and natural juices by potentiometry using a selective ion electrode in order to evaluate the dietary intake of this anion from the consumption of these drinks. The mean concentrations of fluoride obtained were 0.47 and 0.39 mg/L for soft drinks and natural juices, respectively. The major contribution to the recommended daily intake (RDI) of fluoride comes from samples of tea based drinks (8.25% men, 11.0% women, 47.1% children). The largest contribution to the RDI of fluoride in natural juices comes from grape juices (9.5% men, 12.7% women, 54.3% children). The intake of fluoride from the consumption of these drinks is below the RDI. However, in the case of children, more control is needed given the numerous dietary sources of fluoride that can contribute to a high intake, thereby increasing the risk of dental fluorosis.