Personalized Nutrition to be Next Big Industry Trend

21 Feb 2017 --- New research has shown how personalized nutrition is rapidly emerging as a key area for the long-term future of the nutrition industry. The findings come from a survey carried out by the organizers of Vitafoods Europe 2017, which takes place from 9 to 11 May at Palexpo in Geneva.

The researchers asked Vitafoods Europe visitors what they saw as the three most important trends in the nutrition industry.

For the short term (over the next 12 months) personalized nutrition was picked by one in five respondents (19%), however, when they were asked to think about the long term (the next three years) over a third (35%) identified it as an important trend.

The figures reflect the emergence of new possibilities such as individualized dietary guidelines, wearable technology, and personalized nutrition based on genetic testing.

According to Vitafood's study, nutrigenomics was another hot topic for the future was, which was seen as an important short-term trend for 8% of respondents, but an important long-term trend for twice as many (17%).

Speaking previously with NutritionInsight, Alfredo Martínez, MD, PhD, President of the International Society of Nutrigenetics / Nutrigenomics (ISNN) agreed that personalized, or precision nutrition is the future of nutrition.

“Precision nutrition is the stronger global trend nowadays.” He said.

“This new concept of nutrition considers not only the personal inheritance, but also the cultural and family aspects, their lifestyle, the previous clinical history as well as likes and dislikes, hypersensitivity or intolerance to certain foods, regular physical activity, the perinatal nutrition and epigenetics, when designing dietary advice and matching the nutritional needs of each person.”

The rise of the personalized nutrition trend has already made waves in the nutrition industry. In November 2016, Wageningen University & Research joined forces with TNO (Innovation for Life) and established, “The Personalized Nutrition and Health Consortium,” a group dedicated to researching the technology and knowledge needed to make personalized nutritional health advice possible on a large scale.

“Optimizing and maintaining health includes choosing the proper food and lifestyle, but every individual has a unique set of goals and preferences,” said Wageningen University.

“Today’s consumers want convenient yet suitable support to make informed decisions about their health, in a format, moment and place that is right for them.” 

Also discovered by the Vitafoods survey, was the continuing importance of high quality and evidence-based claims in order to meet regulatory requirements and consumer demand.

The issue most likely to be seen as important – both now and in the future – was scientifically supported health claims, which was identified as a key trend in the short term by 47% of Vitafoods visitors, and in the long term by 50%.

The health needs created by demographic trends, such as population aging and obesity, continue to shape the agenda for much of the industry.

Respondents were asked which three health benefit areas were most important to their companies. Healthy aging, picked by one in four (23%) ranked top, followed by bone and joint health (22%), cardiovascular health (21%), general wellbeing (21%), and weight management (20%).

Commenting on the survey findings, Chris Lee, Portfolio Director of Vitafoods Europe, said: “Part of the role of Vitafoods Europe is to help the industry prepare for challenges and opportunities approaching on the horizon.”

“When it comes to personalized nutrition, our research suggests we’re at the start of the curve. Areas such as wearable technology and genetic testing for nutrition may seem niche now, but one day they’ll be the norm.”

He continued, “The fact that half our visitors list scientifically supported health claims as an important trend reflects the close relationship between science and our industry.”

“That’s why Vitafoods Europe offers access to the latest cutting-edge technical and scientific knowledge.”