Levels Of Fluoride In Traditionally Fermented Alcoholic Beverages Commonly Consumed In Ethiopia

Fluorine is one of several trace elements receiving much attention owing to its possible harmfulrneffects on health and the environment. Fluorosis is a public health problem in certain part ofrnEthiopia, especially in rift valley. Beverages are the largest contributors to an individual’s totalrnexposure to fluoride. Total daily fluoride exposure can vary markedly from one region to anotherrndepending on concentration of fluoride in drinking water and water-based beverages. Thernobjective of this study was to determine levels of fluoride in traditional fermented alcoholicrnbeverages (tella, tej, areki, shamita, borde and korefe) widely consumed in selected areas ofrnEthiopia. The beverages samples and the water used for their preparation were collected from thernrift valley and outside rift valley areas of Ethiopia: Adami Tulu, Meki, Alem Tena, DegunarnFanigo, Debre Birhan, Debre Markos, and Wogera towns. The beverages samples were collectedrnfrom local markets and house hold levels in the areas where they are prepared and consumed inrnlarge amount. Levels of fluoride in the beverages and water samples were determined by fluoridernion selective electrode. The mean fluoride concentration (mg/L) ranged in beverages andrncorresponding water samples, respectively, were: tella (0.32-8.19, 0.30-5.06), tej (0.35-5.76,rn0.31-5.06), areki (0.52-0.97, 2.09-9.02), shamita (5.26, 0.78), borde (4.95, 0.92) and korefern(1.39, 0.35). Pearson correlation showed that the levels of fluoride in the traditional fermentedrnalcoholic beverages were found to correlate positively with the levels found in the water. Thernmean daily dietary fluoride intake from the beverages was different with different fluoridernconcentration of the water used. In this study, the estimated daily intake of fluoride throughrnbeverages for the regular drinker ranges from 0.004-3.28 mg/day. The beverages prepared usingrnlow concentration of fluoride water is safe for human consumption while beverages preparedrnusing high concentration of fluoride containing water may cause dental as well as skeletalrnfluorosis.rnKeywords: Alcoholic beverages; Fermented beverages; Food; Fluoride; Ethiopia

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