research topics on food science and nutrition

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120 Food Research Paper Topics

How to choose a topic for food research paper:, fast food research paper topics:.

• The impact of fast food consumption on obesity rates in children
• The influence of fast food advertising on consumer behavior
• The correlation between fast food consumption and cardiovascular diseases
• The role of fast food in the development of type 2 diabetes
• The effects of fast food on mental health and well-being
• The environmental impact of fast food packaging and waste
• Fast food and its contribution to food deserts in urban areas
• The economic implications of the fast food industry on local communities
• Fast food and its association with food addiction and cravings
• The nutritional value and quality of ingredients used in fast food
• The influence of fast food on dietary patterns and nutritional deficiencies
• The role of fast food in the globalization of food culture
• The ethical concerns surrounding fast food production and animal welfare
• The impact of fast food consumption on academic performance in students
• Fast food and its relationship to food insecurity and poverty

Food Insecurity Research Paper Topics:

• The impact of food insecurity on child development
• Food insecurity and its relationship to mental health
• Exploring the causes of food insecurity in urban areas
• The role of food banks in addressing food insecurity
• Food insecurity among college students: prevalence and consequences
• The effects of food insecurity on maternal and infant health
• Food insecurity and its implications for rural communities
• The relationship between food insecurity and obesity
• Food insecurity and its impact on academic performance in children
• The role of government policies in addressing food insecurity
• Food insecurity and its connection to chronic diseases
• The effects of food insecurity on older adults’ health and well-being
• Food insecurity and its influence on food choices and dietary quality
• The role of community gardens in reducing food insecurity
• Food insecurity and its impact on social inequalities and disparities

Organic Food Research Paper Topics:

• The impact of organic farming on soil health and fertility
• The nutritional differences between organic and conventionally grown fruits and vegetables
• The effects of organic farming practices on water quality and conservation
• The potential health benefits of consuming organic dairy products
• The role of organic agriculture in reducing pesticide exposure and its associated health risks
• The economic viability and market trends of organic food production
• The impact of organic farming on biodiversity and ecosystem services
• Consumer perceptions and attitudes towards organic food: A global perspective
• The effectiveness of organic farming in mitigating climate change
• The role of organic farming in promoting sustainable food systems
• Organic versus conventional meat production: A comparison of animal welfare standards
• The impact of organic food consumption on human health and disease prevention
• The challenges and opportunities of organic food certification and labeling
• The role of organic farming in reducing food waste and promoting food security
• The potential environmental and health risks associated with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in organic food production

Food Technology Research Paper Topics:

• The impact of food processing techniques on nutritional value
• The role of food technology in reducing food waste
• The development of sustainable packaging materials for food products
• The use of nanotechnology in food processing and preservation
• The application of artificial intelligence in food quality control
• The potential of 3D printing in personalized nutrition
• The impact of food technology on the sensory properties of food products
• The role of food technology in improving food safety and reducing foodborne illnesses
• The development of novel food ingredients using biotechnology
• The use of blockchain technology in ensuring traceability and transparency in the food supply chain
• The impact of food technology on the shelf life and stability of food products
• The role of food technology in addressing food allergies and intolerances
• The application of robotics in food processing and manufacturing
• The development of functional foods for specific health conditions
• The use of genetic engineering in enhancing crop productivity and nutritional content

Food Safety Research Paper Topics:

• The impact of foodborne illnesses on public health
• The role of government regulations in ensuring food safety
• Food safety practices in the restaurant industry
• The effectiveness of food safety training programs for food handlers
• Food safety risks associated with genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
• The role of food packaging in maintaining food safety
• Food safety concerns in the global food supply chain
• The impact of climate change on food safety and security
• Food safety risks associated with food delivery services
• The role of consumer behavior in ensuring food safety
• Food safety practices in home kitchens
• The impact of food additives and preservatives on food safety
• Food safety risks associated with food allergies and intolerances
• The role of technology in enhancing food safety measures
• Food safety challenges in developing countries

Food History Research Paper Topics:

• The Evolution of Food Preservation Techniques
• The Impact of the Columbian Exchange on Global Cuisine
• The Role of Food in Ancient Egyptian Society
• The Origins and Development of Chocolate as a Culinary Delight
• The Influence of French Cuisine on Modern Gastronomy
• The Cultural Significance of Spices in Medieval Europe
• The History of Food and Nutrition in World War II
• The Impact of Industrialization on Food Production and Consumption
• The Role of Food in Ancient Greek and Roman Rituals and Festivals
• The History of Street Food and its Socioeconomic Impact
• The Origins and Evolution of Sushi in Japanese Cuisine
• The Influence of Immigration on American Food Culture
• The History of Food and Medicine: From Ancient Remedies to Modern Nutraceuticals
• The Role of Food in Colonialism and Cultural Assimilation
• The Evolution of Fast Food and its Impact on Global Health

Food Marketing Research Paper Topics:

• The impact of social media on consumer behavior in the food industry
• The effectiveness of celebrity endorsements in food marketing campaigns
• The influence of packaging design on consumer perception and purchasing decisions
• The role of sensory marketing in food product development and promotion
• The effects of nutritional labeling on consumer choices and health outcomes
• The use of virtual reality and augmented reality in food marketing strategies
• The impact of food advertising on children’s food preferences and consumption patterns
• The role of cultural factors in shaping food marketing strategies and consumer behavior
• The effectiveness of personalized marketing approaches in the food industry
• The influence of food branding and brand loyalty on consumer purchasing behavior
• The role of sustainability and ethical considerations in food marketing practices
• The effects of food pricing strategies on consumer choices and market competition
• The impact of online food delivery platforms on consumer behavior and market dynamics
• The role of food labeling claims and certifications in consumer trust and decision-making
• The effects of food marketing on public health and policy implications

Food Chemistry Research Paper Topics:

• Analysis of food additives and their effects on human health
• Investigating the role of antioxidants in preventing food spoilage
• The chemistry behind flavor development in fermented foods
• Analyzing the chemical composition of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food
• Understanding the chemical reactions involved in food browning and Maillard reaction
• Investigating the chemistry of food preservation methods, such as canning and freezing
• Analyzing the chemical changes in food during cooking and their impact on nutritional value
• The role of enzymes in food processing and their effects on food quality
• Investigating the chemistry of food allergies and intolerances
• Analyzing the chemical composition and health benefits of functional foods
• Understanding the chemistry of food packaging materials and their impact on food safety
• Investigating the chemical changes in food during storage and their effects on shelf life
• Analyzing the chemical composition and nutritional value of organic versus conventionally grown foods
• Investigating the chemistry of food contaminants, such as heavy metals and pesticides

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293 Good Nutrition Research Topics & Ideas

18 January 2024

last updated

Nutrition research topics encompass a wide study spectrum of explorations in dietary science and human health. They often delve into various areas like nutritional epidemiology that analyzes possible correlations between diet patterns and disease incidence. Nutrigenomics studies how specific nutrients impact gene expression, while functional foods evaluate the health benefits of particular food components. Additional study areas include research into eating disorders and how socioeconomic factors influence diet. Child and prenatal nutrition form a critical aspect, examining how early dietary habits shape long-term health. Sustainability and public health nutrition also make key research areas, investigating global food supply issues and dietary policy development. Such studies may employ methods from biochemical analysis to large-scale population surveys. Therefore, nutrition research topics underscore nutrition’s vital role in supporting human health and well-being.

Best Nutrition Research Topics

• Balancing Macronutrients for Optimal Health
• Sugar’s Influence on Obesity Rates
• Vitamin D Deficiency: Consequences and Prevalence
• Benefits of Probiotics and Gut Health
• Ketogenic Diet and Cognitive Function
• Childhood Obesity and Nutritional Interventions
• Intermittent Fasting: Health Benefits and Drawbacks
• Influence of Dietary Fiber on Digestive Health
• Mediterranean Diet’s Correlation with Longevity
• Plant-Based Diets and Cardiovascular Health
• Link Between Nutrition and Mental Health
• Analyzing the Nutritional Content of Fast Food
• Antioxidant-Rich Foods and Their Benefits
• Dietary Strategies for Managing Diabetes
• Optimal Nutrition for Athletic Performance
• Food Deserts and Nutrition Inequality
• Effects of Caffeine on Human Health
• Exploring the Health Impact of Organic Foods
• Prebiotics in Dietary Interventions for Gut Health
• Nutritional Implications of Food Allergies and Intolerance

Easy Nutrition Research Paper Topics

• Understanding Food Labels: Nutrition Facts Explained
• Health Benefits of Drinking Enough Water
• Whole Foods vs. Processed Foods: A Comparative Analysis
• Exploring Different Types of Dietary Fats
• Roles of Fruits and Vegetables in a Balanced Diet
• Impacts of Excessive Salt Intake on Health
• Gluten-Free Diet: Health Fad or Essential for Some?
• Why Is Breakfast Considered an Important Meal?
• Assessing the Nutritional Value of Dairy Products
• Influence of Proper Hydration on Athletic Performance
• Examining the Popularity of Superfoods
• Detox Diets: Do They Really Work?
• Health Consequences of Consuming Fast Food
• Unpacking the Concept of Calorie Counting
• Investigating the Health Benefits of Tea vs. Coffee
• Importance of Balanced Nutrition for Children
• Defining and Understanding the Concept of ‘Organic’ Food
• Exploring the Dangers of Sugar Addiction
• Demystifying the Health Claims of Popular Diets

Interesting Nutrition Research Topics

• Algae as a Sustainable Source of Nutrients
• Deconstructing the Paleo Diet: Benefits and Drawbacks
• Nutritional Genomics: Personalizing Diets Based on DNA
• Integrating Edible Insects Into Western Diets
• Ayurvedic Diet Principles and Health Outcomes
• Assessing the Nutritional Claims of Energy Drinks
• Nootropics and Nutrition: Enhancing Cognitive Function Through Diet
• Linking Mindful Eating and Nutritional Health
• Food Combinations for Maximum Nutrient Absorption
• Influence of the Microbiome on Nutrient Metabolism
• Exploring Nutritional Differences in Various Cooking Methods
• Examining Nutrient Density: The Best Bang for Your Calorie Buck
• Investigating the Nutritional Pros and Cons of Food Fortification
• Fasting Mimicking Diets and Longevity
• Analyzing the Nutritional Value of Plant-Based Meat Alternatives
• Investigating the Nutrition of Space Food for Astronauts
• Nutritional Interventions in Managing Autoimmune Diseases
• Roles of Nutrition in Aging Well
• Fermented Foods and Gut Health: A Deep Dive
• Unraveling the Science Behind Chocolate and Health

Nutrition Research Paper Topics for High School

• Healthy Eating Habits for Teenagers
• Examining Nutritional Needs During Adolescence
• Junk Food Consumption and Health Consequences
• Importance of Calcium Intake for Teens
• Sports Nutrition for Young Athletes
• Analyzing the School Lunch Program’s Nutritional Content
• Effects of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages on Youth Health
• Understanding Eating Disorders: Anorexia and Bulimia
• Debate on Mandatory Nutrition Education in Schools
• Impacts of Vegetarianism on Teen Health
• Influence of Social Media on Teenage Nutrition Choices
• Investigating the Health Risks of Teen Dieting
• Iron Needs and Deficiency in Adolescents
• Body Image, Peer Pressure, and Nutrition
• Relationship Between Nutrition and Acne in Teenagers
• Nutrition Strategies for Managing Teen Stress
• Vitamin B Complex: Importance for Teens
• Why Is Protein Crucial for Teen Development?
• Exploring Teenage Obesity: Causes and Prevention
• Understanding Food Addiction in Teenagers

Nutrition Research Topics for College Students

• Managing Healthy Eating in College
• Nutritional Challenges of Vegetarian and Vegan Students
• Effects of Alcohol on Nutrition and Health
• Importance of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Brain Function
• Deciphering Food Marketing and Labeling
• College Athletes and Nutritional Needs
• Understanding and Avoiding the ‘Freshman 15’
• Nutrition Strategies for Sleep-Deprived Students
• Nutritional Contributions to Mental Health in College
• Benefits of Home Cooking vs. Eating Out
• Correlation Between Nutrition and Academic Performance
• Effects of Coffee Consumption on College Students
• Examining Eating Disorders in College Populations
• Nutritional Implications of Late-Night Snacking
• Vitamins and Supplements: Necessity or Luxury?
• Influence of Diet on Mood and Stress
• Understanding the Ketogenic Diet
• Impact of Fast Food Culture on College Life
• Decoding the Nutritional Value of Smoothies

Research Topics for Nutrition of Students

• Student Diets and Their Effect on Concentration
• Assessing the Nutritional Status of University Students
• Connections Between Nutrition and Students’ Mental Health
• Study Habits and Their Influence on Students’ Eating Patterns
• Evaluating School Canteens for Nutritional Quality
• Impacts of Excessive Caffeine Intake on Students
• Prevalence of Eating Disorders Amongst University Students
• Nutritional Deficiencies in College Student Populations
• How Stress Affects Eating Habits of Students
• Factors Affecting Healthy Eating Choices in Students
• Link Between Students’ Diets and Their Physical Activity
• Effects of Alcohol Consumption on Students’ Nutritional Intake
• Influence of Food Advertising on Students’ Diet Choices
• Benefits and Drawbacks of Dietary Supplements for Students
• Food Insecurity Among University Students
• Assessing the Impact of Campus Dining on Student Health
• Exploring Vegan and Vegetarian Trends Among Students
• Investigating Links Between Breakfast Habits and Academic Performance
• Relationship Between Social Life and Eating Habits in University Students
• Preventing Malnutrition in Low-Income Student Populations

Research Topics About Essential Nutrients

• Exploration of Vitamin D Deficiency in Northern Climates
• Analysis of Iron Deficiency Anemia in the Modern Age
• Effect of High Fiber Diets on Digestive Disorders
• Correlation Between B-Vitamin Intake and Cognitive Function
• Decoding the Nutritional Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
• Significance of Vitamin K in Bone Health and Coagulation
• Investigating Zinc’s Contribution to Immune System Function
• Understanding the Metabolism of Water-Soluble Vitamins
• Elucidating the Bioavailability of Different Forms of Calcium
• How Magnesium Regulates Neuromuscular Transmission and Other Biochemical Reactions
• Investigating the Correlation Between Selenium and Thyroid Function
• Assessing the Contribution of Essential Fatty Acids to Mental Health
• Exploring Copper Deficiency and Its Effects on Health
• Examining Vitamin A and Its Contribution to Vision Health
• Deciphering the Biochemistry of Essential Amino Acids
• Bioavailability and Metabolic Pathways of Vitamin E
• Study of Iodine and Its Importance in Thyroid Health
• Nutritional Genomics: Tailoring Diets to Individual Nutrient Needs
• Investigation Into Potassium’s Role in Cardiovascular Health

Food Choices and Nutrition Research Topics

• Influence of Fast Food Advertising on Dietary Habits
• Navigating Veganism: Nutritional Challenges and Solutions
• Dietary Intake and Its Link to Chronic Diseases
• Comparing Nutrient Content: Home-Cooked Meals vs. Takeout
• Assessing Food Labels for Nutritional Accuracy
• Rise of Plant-Based Diets: Health and Environmental Impacts
• Balanced Diet for Athletes: Performance and Recovery
• Eating Disorders: Nutritional Aspects and Intervention Strategies
• Optimizing Diets for Aging Populations: Nutritional Needs and Limitations
• Malnutrition in Developing Countries: Causes and Solutions
• Organic Food Consumption: Health Benefits and Misconceptions
• How Social Factors Shape Our Food Choices
• Effects of Sugar Consumption on Metabolic Health
• Mediterranean Diet: Health Benefits and Implementation
• Cultural Diversity in Dietary Practices: An Overview
• Eating Habits in College: The Freshman Fifteen Phenomenon
• Food Deserts’ Impact on Community Health
• Understanding the Nutritional Implications of Food Allergies
• Gluten-Free Diets: Health Implications and Misconceptions

Food Groups in Nutrition Research Paper Topics

• Whole Grains and Digestive Health: A Comprehensive Study
• Dairy Products and Bone Health: Decoding the Connection
• Analyzing Nutritional Components of Various Fruits
• Exploring the Health Benefits of Different Vegetables
• Redefining the Food Pyramid: An In-Depth Analysis
• Meat Consumption and Its Implications for Human Health
• Poultry and Fish: Comparative Nutritional Values
• Legumes and Pulses: Unexplored Nutritional Goldmines
• Roles of Nuts and Seeds in Reducing Chronic Diseases
• Influence of Processed Foods on Modern Dietary Patterns
• Understanding the Nutritional Powerhouse: Leafy Greens
• Eggs: Nutrient-Dense Food or Cholesterol Culprit?
• Debunking Myths Surrounding Soy Products
• Seafood Nutrition: Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Beyond
• Mushrooms: A Forgotten Food Group With Nutritional Richness
• Food Synergy in Combining Different Food Groups
• Whole Foods vs. Refined Foods: Nutritional Differences
• Roles of Fermented Foods in Gut Health
• Deciphering the Nutritional Content of Root Vegetables
• Unsaturated Fats: Health Benefits of Avocados and Olives

Healthy Nutrition Research Topics

• Dietary Fibers and Cardiovascular Health: A Detailed Exploration
• Probiotics for Gut Health: Understanding the Mechanisms
• Antioxidants in Berries: The Shield Against Oxidative Stress
• Nutritional Approaches for Managing Diabetes: A Comprehensive Study
• The Interplay of Sodium and Potassium in Blood Pressure Regulation
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: The Key to Heart Health
• Minerals in Human Health: Exploring the Underrated Components
• Examining the Health Benefits of Polyphenols
• Vitamin D and Bone Health: Going Beyond Calcium
• Holistic Health Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet
• Relevance of Hydration in Physical Health and Performance
• Nutrition’s Influence on Mental Health: Decoding the Gut-Brain Axis
• Unraveling the Connections: Obesity and Nutritional Imbalances
• Iodine, Thyroid Health, and Metabolism: A Detailed Investigation
• Importance of Amino Acids in Muscle Health and Recovery
• Iron Deficiency: Anemia and Beyond
• Magnesium: An Essential Nutrient for Nervous System Functioning
• Power of Zinc in Immune Health and Disease Resistance
• The Link Between Nutrition and Skin Health: An In-Depth Analysis

Nutrition Research Topics on Dietetics

• Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension: A Dietitian’s Perspective
• Understanding the Science Behind Ketogenic Diets
• Vegetarian and Vegan Diets: Nutrient Adequacy and Health Implications
• Clinical Nutrition in Managing Chronic Kidney Disease
• Intervention Strategies in Pediatric Obesity: A Dietetic Approach
• Effectiveness of Mediterranean Diet in Chronic Disease Prevention
• Influence of Low-FODMAP Diet on Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Nutrition Therapy in Cancer Management: Dietetics in Action
• Low Carbohydrate Diets and Type 2 Diabetes Management
• Examining Nutritional Issues in Geriatric Populations
• Dietary Management in Celiac Disease: Beyond Gluten-Free
• Micronutrient Requirements in Pregnancy: A Dietetic Approach
• Nutritional Interventions in Post-Bariatric Surgery Patients
• Pediatric Nutrition: Addressing Failure to Thrive
• Decoding the Nutritional Management of Eating Disorders
• Balancing Nutrition and Palatability in Dysphagia Management
• Managing Food Allergies: A Dietetics Perspective
• Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition: Practical Issues and Challenges
• Influence of Plant-Based Diets on Cardiovascular Health
• Nutrition Support in Critically Ill Patients: The Role of Dietetics

Research Topics About Nutrition for the Treatment of Eating Disorders

• Recovery Nutrition Strategies for Anorexia Nervosa
• Implementing Mindful Eating in Bulimia Nervosa Treatment
• Food Phobia and Its Nutritional Consequences in Eating Disorders
• Orthorexia Nervosa: Where Health Consciousness Crosses the Line
• Nutrient-Dense Diets in the Management of Eating Disorders
• Balanced Diet Plans for Binge Eating Disorder Patients
• Ketogenic Diets: A Possible Intervention for Eating Disorders?
• Addressing the Nutritional Deficiencies in Anorexia Athletica
• Understanding Refeeding Syndrome in Severe Anorexia Nervosa Cases
• Carbohydrate-Centric Approach to Treat Bulimia Nervosa
• Exploring the Nutritional Implications of Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
• Macro and Micronutrients Management in Anorexia Nervosa Treatment
• Assessing the Role of Dietary Fats in Bulimia Nervosa Recovery
• Managing the Nutritional Challenges in Night Eating Syndrome
• Food Variety and Its Importance in Eating Disorders Treatment
• Bariatric Surgery for Severe Binge Eating Disorder: Nutritional Challenges
• Influence of Veganism on the Progression of Eating Disorders
• Postprandial Timing: Its Influence on Binge Eating Disorder
• Nutritional Rehabilitation in Hospitalized Eating Disorder Patients

Sports Nutrition Research Paper Topics

• Optimization of Protein Intake in Endurance Athletes
• Micronutrients’ Importance for Athletic Performance
• Carbohydrate Loading: A Tool for Marathon Runners
• Ketogenic Diet and Its Effect on Athletic Performance
• Hydration Strategies for Long-Distance Athletes
• Nutritional Strategies to Enhance Recovery in High-Intensity Sports
• Effects of Caffeine on Athletic Performance
• Iron Requirements in Female Athletes: Meeting the Demand
• Dietary Supplements and Performance in Elite Athletes
• Bone Health and Nutrition in Weightlifting Athletes
• Optimizing Pre-Game Nutrition for Competitive Athletes
• Nutritional Implications of Aging on Athletic Performance
• Creatine Supplementation in High-Intensity Training
• Influence of Plant-Based Diets on Athletic Performance
• Gut Health and Performance in Athletes: The Link
• Nutrition Strategies for Managing Injuries in Athletes
• Understanding Energy Availability in Endurance Sports
• Probiotics and Their Potential Benefit for Athletes
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Their Relevance to Athletic Performance
• Alcohol and Its Consequences on Sports Performance

Nutrition Research Topics About Veganism & Vegetarianism

• B12 Deficiency in Vegan and Vegetarian Diets
• Plant-Based Diets: Protein Quality and Quantity
• Bone Health Among Vegans and Vegetarians
• Exploring Iron Bioavailability in Plant-Based Diets
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Achieving Adequate Intake on a Vegan Diet
• Veganism, Vegetarianism, and Cardiovascular Health
• Effect of Plant-Based Diets on Blood Glucose Control
• Zinc Absorption in Vegan and Vegetarian Diets
• Evaluating Vegan and Vegetarian Diets for Athletes
• Nutrient Density in Vegan and Vegetarian Diets
• Challenges of Meeting Calcium Needs on a Vegan Diet
• Plant-Based Diets and Gut Microbiota
• Weight Management in Vegan and Vegetarian Lifestyles
• Influence of Vegan Diet on Inflammatory Markers
• Plant-Based Diets: Effect on Mental Health
• Comparison of Antioxidant Intake: Vegans vs. Omnivores
• Influence of Veganism on the Ageing Process
• Plant-Based Diets and All-Cause Mortality
• Perception of Hunger and Fullness in Vegans vs. Omnivores

Food Science Research Paper Topics

• Microbial Safety of Fermented Foods
• Structural Changes in Proteins During Cooking
• Antioxidant Properties of Spices and Herbs
• Functional Foods and Gut Health
• Bioavailability of Nutrients From Different Cooking Methods
• Flavor Chemistry and Perception in Food Development
• Effects of Processing on Phytonutrient Content
• Metabolic Pathways Involved in Fermentation
• Novel Techniques in Food Preservation
• Food Texture and Its Effect on Satiety
• Influence of Food Structure on Nutrient Absorption
• Bioactive Compounds in Functional Beverages
• Chemical Changes in Food During Storage
• Advancements in Food Packaging Technologies
• Understanding Maillard Reaction in Different Food Products
• Innovative Techniques in Food Fortification
• Sustainable Food Processing Techniques
• Potential Health Benefits of Probiotic Foods
• Food Allergens: Detection and Quantification Methods
• Sugar Substitutes: Health Benefits and Risks

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Editorial: Insights in Nutrition and Food Science Technology

Nutrition and Food Science and Technology is facing important challenges nowadays, mainly related to the roadmap toward the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as zero hunger (SDG-2), good health and wellbeing (SDG-3), responsible consumption and production (SDG-12), climate action (SDG-13), life below water (SDG-14), and life on land (SDG-15), among others. To be able to advance in these goals, sustainable food production systems are needed, while ensuring food safety ( 1 ) and more healthy diets ( 2 ). This Research Topic focuses on new insights, novel developments, current challenges, latest discoveries, recent advances, and future perspectives in the field of Nutrition and Food Science and Technology. The main goal of this special Research Topic is therefore, to shed light on the progress made in the past decade in the Nutrition and Food Science & Technology field, and on its future challenges to provide a thorough overview of the field. Based on all the above, the following 10 works were included in the current Research Topic. Specifically, two review papers were dedicated to describe the effects of microwave heating on the structure, properties, and functions of macromolecular nutrients in novel food ( Deng et al. ) and to revise the effect of resistant starch on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease via the gut-liver axis ( Zhu et al. ). One brief research report was devoted to analyse the accumulation of flavonoids in Dendrobium moniliforme (L.) Sw. (a valuable herbal crop) by the integration of metabolomic and transcriptomic approaches ( Yuan et al. ). The other seven papers were published as original research contributions and were focused on ( i) the integrated analysis of metabolome and transcriptome data for uncovering flavonoid components of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim leaves under drought stress ( Hu et al. ); ( ii) the integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses to reveal novel insights of anthocyanin biosynthesis on color formation in cassava tuberous roots ( Fu et al. ); ( iii) the identification of iron and zinc responsive genes in pearl millet using genome-wide RNA-sequencing approach ( Goud et al. ); ( iv) the identification and analysis of major flavor compounds in radish taproots by widely targeted metabolomics ( Mei et al. ); ( v) the development of a new indicator of overeating saturated fat based on serum fatty acids and amino acids and its association with incidence of type 2 diabetes using two randomized controlled feeding trials and a prospective study ( Wei et al. ); ( vi) the optimization of the ultrasound-assisted extraction of naturally occurring glucosinolates from by-products of Camelina sativa L. and their effect on human colorectal cancer cells ( Pagliari et al. ) and ( vii) the investigation of the molecular mechanisms of flavonoid accumulation in germinating common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris ) under salt stress ( Zhang et al. ). We hope this article collection may help, inform and provide direction and guidance to many colleagues working in this hot field of research.

Author contributions

EI and AC acted as editors of all the manuscript submitted to the Research Topic Insights in Nutrition and Food Science Technology . AC supervised and wrote the editorial article. EI reviewed the final version of the editorial article. Both authors approved the final version of the manuscript for publication.

Acknowledgments

As editors of this Research Topic devoted to Insights in Nutrition and Food Science Technology , we would like to thank all the authors for their suitable contributions, all reviewers for the time they devoted to the evaluation of the papers, Marta Klinska for her continuous help and support, and to those of Frontiers in Nutrition team who contributed with their effort for the preparation of this Research Topic. Muchas gracias a todos!

Funding Statement

This work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain (Grant Nos. PID2020-113050RB-I00 and PDC2021-120814-I00).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher's note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

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• Published: 13 January 2024

Emerging challenges and opportunities in innovating food science technology and engineering education

• I. S. Saguy   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-1570-8808 1 ,
• C. L. M. Silva   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-0495-3955 2 &
• E. Cohen   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-2342-5418 3  

npj Science of Food volume  8 , Article number:  5 ( 2024 ) Cite this article

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An Author Correction to this article was published on 13 February 2024

This article has been updated

Progress in science, technology, innovation, and digital capabilities call for reassessing food science, technology, and engineering (FST&E) education and research programs. This survey targeted global professionals and students across food disciplines and nutrition. Its main objectives included assessing the status of FST&E higher education, identifying challenges and opportunities, and furnishing recommendations. Seven topics affecting the future of the FST&E curricula were evaluated by the panel as ‘High’ to ‘Very high’, namely: ‘Critical thinking’, followed by ‘Problem-solving projects’, ‘Teamwork/collaboration’, ‘Innovation/Open innovation’ and ‘Multidisciplinary’. The importance of academic partnership/collaboration with the Food Industry and Nutrition Sciences was demonstrated. Significant positive roles of the food industry in collaboration and partnerships were found. Other essential food industry attributes were related to internships, education, strategy, and vision. Collaboration between FST&E and nutrition sciences indicated the high standing of this direction. The need to integrate or converge nutrition sciences and FST&E is emphasized, especially with the growing consumer awareness of health and wellness. The study provides insights into new education and learning opportunities and new topics for future curricula.

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Introduction

The unabated progress in science, technology, and innovation, combined with the exponential rate of change facilitated by the proliferation of computerized capabilities and artificial intelligence (AI), calls for reassessing the food science, technology, and engineering (FST&E) education. The fourth industrial revolution (i.e., Industry 4.0) highlights significant progress in numerous fields, including robotics, smart sensors, AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, cloud computing, safety, and production efficiency 1 . Climate change, global population growth, high levels of food loss and food waste, and the risk of new disease or pandemic outbreaks are examples of numerous challenges that are potential threats to future food sustainability and the security of the planet that urgently need to be addressed 2 .

The projected global population growth reaching 10 billion people by 2050 highlights the acute need for new evaluations of FST&E education system background to address mounting challenges and opportunities. The complexity and predicted immense size of future tasks call for new paradigms, an open innovation mentality, and a novel mindset promoting multidisciplinary collaborations and partnerships 3 .

Disruptions such as digital agriculture, the fourth industrial revolution (industry 4.0), food agility, big data, and AI have been utilized to characterize the changes in the way agro-food systems evolve and function, as well as in the approach they have been analyzed, measured, and monitored 4 . For instance, Wageningen University, one of the leading influential universities, has also taken an active strategy to align with the developments in IT and AI. Apart from the content-wise shift, skills such as critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving are addressed by applying project-based evaluations 5 . The industrial revolution (industry 4.0) and moving to industry 5.0 include new enabling technologies (e.g., big data, IoT, cloud computing) besides AI, digital twins, machine learning, virtualization, and others 6 .

Food science and technology (FST) and especially food engineering (FE) in academia face diminishing funding for research, dwindling critical masses in faculties (particularly at universities in the USA), decreasing student enrollment 7 and impacting future cooperative extension education and research needs 8 . This leads to the observation by some food-related education programs to be at a crossroads and the need to reassess their vision and expand the scope to grand societal drivers such as health and wellness (H&W), the mutual host and the microbiome considerations, food security and safety, population growth, aging, water and land scarcity, and environmental concerns 9 . Other reasons for integrating stakeholders outside the food manufacturing industry have been proposed 10 , 11 . Members of the FST&E professions request a broader and more applied education that offers better opportunities for entrepreneurship 12 .

FST&E professions are witnessing significant challenges as well as changes imposed by the accelerated rate of change and digital transformation. The expected changes will most probably affect FST&E education as already projected previously 7 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 . This forward-looking, combined with the radical changes witnessed during and post-COVID-19, calls for a change in traditional education and curricula paradigms. For instance, the new vision deploys concepts of FST&E in the context of sustainable food processes, products for changing lifestyles and beliefs, innovation for H&W, and novel methodologies that suit audiences of the digital age. Courses on entrepreneurship and innovation, novel education methods, and enforcing quality standards and certification have been also proposed for Europe 14 .

Engineering education is also experiencing dramatic changes. The traditional teaching model, where students are passive in the lecture room, gives way to more active, student-centered, and participatory approaches. Different modern education and learning techniques, such as blended and flip-classroom, active learning, use of technology in teaching, universal design, and student-centered education approach, among others, were previously reported 10 . For instance, active learning utilizing a teaching app called TopHat ( https://tophat.com/ ) to administer a daily quiz, encouraged group work and discussion, and peer evaluation was also reported 16 .

Active engineering learning promotes the acquisition of knowledge and essential soft skills such as teamwork, problem-solving abilities, and entrepreneurial mindsets 17 . It also encourages the utilization of digital technologies such as simulation software and virtual laboratories 17 . It is worth noting the pioneering virtual experiments and laboratories in food science, technology processing, and engineering area 18 .

Among novel methodologies suggested for engineering education are project-based learning, hybrid learning, the flipped classroom, and design thinking 10 , 19 , 20 , 21 .

The role of the food industry and other related sectors in contributing to and assisting educational institutions in designing curricula that provide the skills demanded by the job market was highlighted recently. It emphasized that current Bachelor´s and Master´s degrees follow programs that attempt to offer a practical perspective but still focus on the academic point of view. To bridge the gap between academia and industry, the University Extension Diploma in Food Technology (DEUTA) deepens into the food sector, seeking professional qualifications for participants. This is achieved by both first-hand know-how of food sector professionals and academics, along with an internship period in a food company. Collaborative courses strengthen academia-industry bonds, and employability is boosted thanks to internships and the network created 22 .

Innovation and entrepreneurship are key factors to provide added value for food systems. Based on the findings of the Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership BoostEdu ( https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/ assessed May 16, 2023), three knowledge gaps were reported: (1) identify the needs for innovation and entrepreneurship (I&E) in the food sector; (2) understanding the best way to organize learning; (3) providing flexibility in turbulent times. The results of the project, in particular during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighted the need for flexible access to modules that are complementary to other sources and based on a mix of theoretical concepts and practical experiences. The main lessons learned concern the need for co-creation and co-learning processes to identify suitable practices for the use of innovative digital technologies 23 . However, there are experts objecting to entrepreneurship courses being a subject of FST&E curricula or that the curricula should be supported with outside presentations or invited talks on this topic. This contrary position could be probably explained by the contrast between academia and more applied and industrial occupations. As the vast majority of the FST&E graduates are employed in various businesses where innovation and startup activities are becoming essential, entrepreneurship aspects should be considered in future education.

New platforms, such as massive open online courses (MOOCs), webinars, blogs, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, have opened up new spaces for disseminating ideas, experiences, and training in food-related matters 24 . Online and open learning permits access anytime and anywhere to formal classes, education modules on specific topics, and informal discussion sites 24 . Thus effectively democratizing learning, disseminating knowledge to vast audiences, and coping with the educational demands during the COVID-19 pandemic 25 .

The overall objectives of this study were: 1. Assessing the current status of FST&E education by using a computerized global survey; 2. Identifying current challenges and opportunities; and 3. Suggest recommendations (if needed) for additional directions and topics for future curricula.

Results and discussion

Respondents.

The total number of respondents that started the questionnaire was 1022. Of these, 703 (68.8%) respondents (the panel) completed the survey. Data from respondents who failed to address all questions and had several missing values were omitted, as they ignored or preferred not to answer some of the questions. The relatively high number of excluded respondents was probably due to the language barrier. Although not explicitly asked, based on respondents’ IP addresses, 88 countries participated in the survey. The overall time for completing the survey was approximately 10–12 min.

Demographics and geographic distribution

Demographic data are presented in Table 1 . The panel was evenly distributed: gender (female/male 1.15:1.00), age (excluding the 18–25 years group, 7.5%). Age distribution indicates good participation of the various groups and experiences.

The geographical location of the respondents indicates a global representation, although some regions were more prevalent by the panel. Respondents from China, the Far East (excluding China), and Oceania also participated, but their overall percentage was relatively low (combined value of 4.4%). However, combining Asia and the Middle East respondents resulted in a significant representation (16.5%). The surprising outcome was the high number of African respondents (14.8), probably due to the good network of IUFoST contacts in Africa. Although participation was quite impressive in terms of global feedback (88 countries), the number of respondents in a specific region was quite low in some cases, and consolidation was necessary for further analysis. Nevertheless, the widespread number of respondents from a wide spectrum of countries demonstrated that the survey had a global distribution, offering a significant improvement compared with a previous study 15 .

Main professional activities and education

The panel (703 respondents) professions consisted of food scientists and technologists (FSTs) 398 (56.6%), food engineers (FEs) 120 (17.1%), microbiologists (HMs) 25 (3.6%), nutritionists (HNs) 35 (5.0%), chemical engineers (CEs) 19 (2.7%), bioengineering/biotechnology (BBs) 7 (1.0%), business/marketing (BMs) 14 (2.0%), consultants (COs) 41 (5.8%), and others (food trade company, regulators, etc.) 41 (5.8%). As 73.7% of the respondents were FSTs and FEs, students, and graduates, the data reflect professional positions within FST&E disciplines, as was also previously shown 15 .

The respondents were also asked to fill in all their degrees in the various education categories using up to 4 options (student, BSc/1st Degree, MSc/equivalent, and Ph.D./DSc). Fig. 1 highlights the panel degrees distribution. The relatively high number of doctoral (Ph.D./DSc, 464, 29.9%) is not surprising considering the academic affiliation of most of the respondents (see Section “Affiliation”). It should be noted that many of the respondents hold more than one degree, explaining the high number of overall degrees of the panel (1550), as also depicted in Fig. 1 .

Overall degrees distribution (small insert).

Affiliation

The combined high majority of the respondents affiliated with educational and private research institutes (71.7%) provides a possible explanation for the extra number of doctoral degrees in the panel. Conversely, based on the respondents in the age group 41–55 and above 55 (37.8 and 28.7%, respectively) and the fact that a high percentage of the majority of the respondents hold a doctoral degree, the data are likely to reflect professional middle to high management levels and leadership positions within educational, institutions and possibly in the food industry. It should be noted that the number of respondents from industrial affiliation (food industry, food service, startups/FoodTech, and consultants, excluding government) was quite high (18.2%), probably projecting that although academia and industry are not equally represented, industrial affiliations are well represented (i.e., 128 responders).

Topics affecting the future of the professional domain curricula

The importance of 10 topics to be included in developing future curricula using the Likert-type scale 26 was evaluated. The topics listed included post-COVID-2019 considerations and several other new concepts. Table 2 shows that 7 topics were evaluated above 4.0 (‘High’) based on the calculated Likert-type scores average. The highest average scores were: ‘Critical thinking’ (4.50), followed by ‘Problem-solving projects’ (4.44), ‘Teamwork/collaboration’ (4.31), ´Innovation/Open innovation’ (4.29), and ‘Multidisciplinary’ (4.24). These data highlight possible changes that the FST&E domains anticipate in the post-COVID-19 and remote or hybrid education/learning, as well as the further proliferation of innovation and OI.

It is important to note that business-related topics were evaluated as less important, with Likert-type scores averaging below 4.0. These included: ‘Soft skills’ (3.90), followed by ‘Entrepreneurship’ (3.77), and ‘Business creation/networking’ (3.70). ‘Entrepreneurship’ and ‘Business creation/network’ could bring many benefits, such as fostering innovation, productivity, competitiveness, new business, OI, and socioeconomic development. Yet, these topics were considered among those of less importance, probably indicating that the panel was less oriented to business-related topics.

The search for professionals with different skills to overcome the current and foreseen challenges relevant to the agri-food sector was previously studied 25 . It was shown that problem-based learning (PBL), described as an instructional approach, promotes interdisciplinary and critical thinking with the potential to meet current challenges. PBL, aligned with an innovation program and contest, integrated into a master’s degree in FE to promote academic entrepreneurship, allowed the development of innovative products intending to solve problems faced by the agri-food sector 27 . The latter information supports the current survey data that show that the highest perceived topics were ‘Critical thinking’ (4.50) and ‘Problem-solving projects’ (4.44). On the other hand, the relatively low perceived importance of entrepreneurship (3.77 ranked #9) could indicate that FSs, FTs, or FEs are currently considering business-related topics as a lower priority. Nevertheless, their Likert average scores were approaching ‘High’. It is important to note that promoting project-based learning by students on developing eco-designed business models and eco-innovated food products seems to be an essential lever for the sustainability transition 10 . Although this is just one example, it highlights the importance of project-based learning 27 , 28 , 29 .

Project-based learning is an integrated part of the flipped classroom (FC) model, based on active learning, and consequently attracts much interest. The FC is a form of blended learning (BL) that reorganizes the workload in and outside the classroom and requires the active participation of students in learning activities before and during face-to-face lessons with teachers 10 , 30 . The FC model has been applied since the 1990s to encourage student preparation before classes: team-based learning, peer or mentor instruction, and just-in-time education, where the teaching information is communicated via electronic means. This allows more class time to be devoted to active learning and formative assessment 31 . A recent study highlighted a case study where an elective FC course on engineering, science, and gastronomy was implemented for undergraduate students that included in-class demonstrations by chefs. New education methodologies call for expanded computational abilities, ample access to online content, active learning, and student-centered approaches 10 .

A comparison between traditional project-based learning and hybrid project-based learning indicated a significant increase in fundamental formative knowledge, enhanced problem-solving abilities, and production of better-performing artifacts regarding the set of design skills for students undergoing hybrid project-based learning 28 .

In light of the feedback by the panel indicating that ‘Critical thinking development’ and ‘Problem-solving projects’ were the highest outcome (#1 and #2, respectively), combined with recent reports on the FC importance, it could be concluded that seeking new directions in learning/facilitating strategies that complement existing methods in order to enrich the learning experience of students is recommended.

Academic partnership/collaboration

The respondents were instructed to rank (from 1 to 5, corresponding to high to low; each rank could appear only once) the importance of partnership(s) and/or collaboration(s) with: ‘Food Industry´, ‘Nutrition sciences’, ‘Government, policymakers and/or local authorities’, ‘Private sector’, and ‘Other academic disciplines’. The ranking distribution is depicted in Fig. 2 .

Ranking importance (‘Very high’, ‘High’, ‘Medium’, ‘Low’, ‘Very low’) distribution of ‘Academic partnerships/collaborations’.

Collaboration with the ‘Food industry’ was ranked the highest, while the collaboration with ‘Other academic programs’ was ranked lower. Furthermore, the top two rankings (‘Very high’ and ‘High’) were ‘Food industry’ (53%), ‘Nutrition’ (38%), ‘Government’ (36%), ‘Private institutes (35%) and ‘Other academic programs’ (33%).

Collaboration with the nutrition sector was highly ranked. This demonstrates that the panel considered collaboration between FST&E and nutrition highly important and is a direction that these domains should consider closely. The need to enhance and probably integrate or converge nutrition sciences and FST&E is underscored due to the lack of present collaboration and the growing consumers’ awareness of H&W and food processing.

The role of the food industry as a key player in academic partnership and collaboration should be considered, particularly due to the negative aspects suggested by the NOVA ultra-food processes food classification. For instance, “ By design, these products are highly palatable, cheap, ubiquitous, and contain preservatives that offer a long shelf life. These features, combined with aggressive industry marketing strategies, contribute to excessive consumption and make these products highly profitable for the food, beverage, and restaurant industry sectors that are dominant actors in the global food system ” 32 . This study demonstrates that the food industry plays significant positive roles in both collaboration and partnerships. It also plays a key part in internships described below (Section “Internships”).

Topics importance to FST&E

The importance of 11 topics for FST&E was assessed as listed in Table 3 .

The data exposed 5 top important topics to FST&E. The topic of highest interest was ‘Sustainability, circular economy, and food waste management,’ followed by ‘Innovation/open innovation’ and ‘New product development’ (no statistically significant difference between these topics), ‘Consumer perception & trust’ and ‘Nutrition sciences’ that were statistically different from the first two topics (one-way ANOVA with post-hoc LSD test, p  <0.05), respectively. Worth noting the significant differences between FSTs and FEs in ‘Sustainability, circular economy, and food waste management’, ‘New product development’, ‘Consumer perception & trust’, and ‘Nutrition Sciences’, where FSTs significantly assigned higher importance to these topics in comparison with FEs. However, no significant difference was found for ‘Innovation/open innovation’.

‘Artificial Intelligence, machine learning’ was only ordered as #9 based on the Likert-type scores averages, and FEs considered it significantly higher than FSTs. It is safe to predict that the importance of AI will increase in the coming years once more and more applications and utilizations will emerge. Suffice to consider recent applications and the global AI market size growth from $65.48 billion in 2020, projected to reach $1581.70 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 38.0% from 2021 to 2030 ( https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/artificial-intelligence-market ).

Importance to FST&E curricula to meet future challenges and learning opportunities

The importance of the curricula in meeting FST&E future challenges and learning opportunities (in descending order) is highlighted in Table 4 .

Table 4 shows five topics were considered to be of ‘Very high’ to ‘High’ importance: ‘Research project(s)’ (4.34), ‘Apprenticeships (e.g., industrial training)’ (4.28), ‘Adaptability (e.g., adjusting to change in real-time, managing biases, overcome challenges)’ (4.22), ‘Revision current programs’ (4.16), and ‘Employability’ (4.13). The other topics received lower scores.

The significant difference between FSTs and FEs on ‘Research project(s)’, ‘Enhanced integration with nutrition’, and ‘Soft (life) skills’ is worth noting. On these topics, except for ‘Enhanced integration with nutrition’, FSTs scores were significantly higher when compared with FEs. The ´Enhanced integration with nutrition´ by both FSTs and FEs was ‘High’ (4.00) and above, projecting the absolute need for FST&E to enhance its collaboration with nutrition, mainly due to the high importance of H&W and its significant role.

Adaptability is the potential to adjust and learn new skills in response to changing factors, conditions, cultures, and environments. It is a soft skill that both colleagues and superiors highly value. In the ever-changing needs and progress, businesses and employees must adapt quickly to unforeseen dynamic circumstances, innovation, and disruption. Adaptability means being flexible, innovative, open, and resilient, particularly under unforeseen conditions. Some key elements of being adaptable are confident but open to criticism, focusing on solutions rather than problems, collaborating with others, and learning from them ( https://www.walkme.com/glossary/adaptability/ ). For instance, the a daptability of FST developments implies a capacity to continuously change and improve its operations and food quality output in time and space 33 . This explains the #3 place the panel considered adaptability.

The panel perceived both ‘Revision of current programs’ and ‘Employability’ as high priority (#4 and #5, average of 4.16 and 4.13, respectively). These assessments should be considered carefully by academic programs in order to adapt to the fast changes driven by innovation, disruption, and digital progress.

‘Enhanced integration with nutrition’ came in #6. However, FSTs and FEs indicated this topic is highly important (average of 4.00 and 4.21, respectively). Hence, FST&E education programs should seek avenues to enhance integration with nutrition science. Possible collaborations should consider joint research programs and other partnerships and alliances.

‘Business-related activities (e.g., creation, network, partnerships, collaboration)’ and ‘Soft (life) skills’ were #7–8. Nevertheless, their Likert-type average values were close to ‘High’. Hybrid teaching was perceived as the last (3.78). Apparently, this type of education is not very appealing. Yet, this should be reassessed after the Covid-19 pandemic has passed.

Engineering education is also experiencing dramatic changes. The traditional teaching model, where students are passive in the lecture room, gives way to more active, student-centered, and participatory approaches. Different modern education and learning techniques, such as blended and flip-classroom, active learning, use of technology in teaching, universal design, and student-centered education approach, among others, were previously reported 9 . Hence, it is expected that Hybrid teaching and other advanced methods, including AI, will flourish soon and will become the norm.

Internships

The importance of internship to FST&E students was evaluated considering 5 possibilities: ‘Academic internship,’ ‘Food industry internship,’ ‘Start-up/FoodTech company internship,’ ‘Other domains/industries,’ and ‘Internship in other countries.’ The data are depicted in Fig. 3 .

Likert-type averages (1–5 scale) and one side (-) SD of internships importance for FST&E (values with different small letters indicate significant differences between groups; one-way ANOVA with post-hoc LSD test, p  < 0.05).

The internship was categorized into three statistically different groups (one-way ANOVA with post-hoc LSD test, p  < 0.05). The first group was internships in ‘Food Industry’ (4.60), followed by the second group: ‘Start-ups/Food Tech’ (4.04), ‘Other countries’ (3.98), and ‘Academia’ (3.96), and the third group ‘Others domains/industries’ (3.46). Comparing the difference between FSTs and FEs, respondents showed a significant difference (one-way ANOVA with post-hoc LSD test, p  < 0.05) for internships in ‘Food Industry’ (4.65 and 4.52), ‘Start-ups/Food Tech’ (4.11 and 3.89) and ‘Other domains/industries’ (3.46 and 3.26), respectively. It is not surprising that FSTs have consistently assigned higher values to internships, probably due to the possibility that they are more complimentary to hands-on experiences.

Bridging the academia-industry gap in the food sector through collaborative courses and internships was recently studied. More than fifteen years of university extension diplomas in food technology Diplomas demonstrated how collaborative courses strengthen academia-industry bonds, and employability was boosted thanks to internships and the network created 22 . Internships could support students in developing their identity, which is achieved by close contact with their future working tasks 34 , enhancing familiarity with and nearness to their future profession 35 and industry-based projects and governance 36 . Also, student projects in collaboration with the industry make the students face a reality 37 . In light of these benefits, it is clear why the internship in the food industry received such a high Likert-type average. This very high importance given by the panel to industry internships coincides with their ranking, as aforementioned in the previous section, highlighting the core role of the food industry in students’ education.

Professional organization impact on FST&E education

The impact of professional organizations on food science/food technology/food engineering education, as well as strategy and vision data, are depicted in Fig. 4 .

Likert-type averages (1–5 scale) and one side (-) SD of organization/vision impact on FST&E education (values with different letters indicated significant differences between groups; one-way ANOVA with post-hoc LSD test, p  < 0.05).

Data analysis ( t -test) of the impact of the various organizations or vision and strategy on education revealed that the statistically highest Likert-type average scores (one-way ANOVA with post-hoc LSD test, p  < 0.05) were given to the ‘Food industry’ (3.86). ‘IFT (Institute of Food Technologists)’ was in the 2nd statistical group (3.70), followed by the 3rd statistical group that included ‘IUFoST (International Union of Food Science & Technology)’ (3.49), ‘Vision, strategy & leadership of the university’ (3.49), ‘IFST (Institute of Food Science+Technology)’ (3.44), and ‘Government, public interest & support’ (3.42). ‘EFFoST (The European Federation of Food Science and Technology)’ (3.40) was between the 3rd and the 4th group that included ‘ISEKI-Food (European Association for Integrating Food Science and Engineering Into the Food Chain),’(3.27). ‘SoFE (Society of Food Engineering)’ (2.96) was the next statistical group, and the last 6th group was ‘Others’ (2.65).

It is quite surprising that the food industry obtained such a high perceived impact on education, especially because the number of respondents in the panel affiliated with academic and educational institutes was high (69.6%). This could be explained by the fact that most curricula are designed to align with the industrial requirement and/or the need to provide students with the essential tools for the food industry. As no in-depth interviews were conducted, these findings warrant additional consideration.

IFT was in second place, significantly affecting FST&E education. In light of the quite low number of respondents from North America and Canada (13.1%), this finding clearly projects the significant role IFT has in impacting global education and proliferation. The 3rd group included IUFoST, IFST (international and mainly UK organizations, respectively), ‘Vision, strategy & leadership of the university’ and ‘Government, public interest & support´. These different groups and elements were perceived as very important and apparently have a significant role in contributing to the education program. EFFoST was categorized between the 3rd and 4th groups, including ISEKI-Food (3.27). These organizations were perceived as lower compared with the previous organizations. SoFE was classified only in the 5th significantly different group. As SoFE appeals mainly to FEs, many panelists were probably unfamiliar with its activities.

Education impact on professional expectations

The impact of the respondents’ education curricula on their professional success, satisfaction, and meeting expectations data is depicted in Fig. 5 .

Likert-type averages (1–5 scale) and one side (-) SD of ‘Success’, ‘Satisfaction’, and ‘Meeting expectations’ (values with different letters indicated significant differences between groups; one-way ANOVA with post-hoc LSD test, p  < 0.05).

Education curricula showed two different statistical (one-way ANOVA with post-hoc LSD test, p  < 0.05) groups. The first group included ‘Success’ (4.03) and ‘Satisfaction’ (3.95). The second statistical group that was quite lower evaluated was ‘Meeting expectations’ (3.76). This finding could open new avenues for education institutes to conduct in-depth assessments of their alumni and graduates, focusing on improving their performances in order to better meet their graduates’ future expectations. This study also provides insights into new education and learning opportunities and new topics to be included in future curricula.

When comparing FSTs with FEs, it was quite surprising that FSTs consistently rated all three attributes lower than FEs. In two cases, these differences were even significant: ‘Success’ (4.07 vs. 4.15, one-way ANOVA with post-hoc LSD test, p  < 0.05), ‘Satisfaction’ (3.96 vs. 4.06), and ‘Meeting expectation’ (3.78 vs. 3.83, one-way ANOVA with post-hoc LSD test, p  < 0.05). This lower assessment by FSTs highlights that the potential for curriculum improvements is high, and an in-depth evaluation should open new avenues for significant improvements.

In conclusion, these main points are highlighted:

Seven topics affecting the future of the profession domain curricula were evaluated between ‘High’ to ‘Very high’. The highest scores were found for: ‘Critical thinking’, followed by ‘Problem-solving projects,’ ‘Teamwork/collaboration’, ‘Innovation/Open innovation’, and ‘Multidisciplinary’.

The importance of Academic partnership/collaboration showed that ‘Food industry’, and ‘Nutrition’ were ranked the highest.

Significant positive roles of the food industry in collaboration and partnerships with the FST&E domain were demonstrated. Significant findings were also related to internships, education, strategy, and vision effects of the food industry.

Collaboration between FST&E and nutrition sciences indicated its high importance. Integrating or converging nutrition science and FST&E is emphasized based on the lack of actual present collaborations.

Assessing the education curricula contribution showed two statistical groups. The first group included ‘Success’ and ‘Satisfaction’. ‘Meeting expectations’ was the second. New avenues to better meet future graduates’ and students’ expectations were identified.

Insights into novel education and learning opportunities and new topics to be included in future curricula have been identified.

The approach employed encompassed a structured questionnaire, adopting a methodology akin to the one described earlier 12 , 15 . The questionnaire is provided in the Supplementary information data file. The online questionnaire survey utilized the Qualtrics© software ( https://www.qualtrics.com/ ) and targeted global professionals (including students) across the food sector and nutrition. The key questions were formulated to capture the perspectives on professional values held by individuals in the studied fields. The initial questionnaire was pretested (these data were not utilized in the final analysis) using a pilot sample ( n  = 12) of selected food practitioners from academia and the food industry. This panel was selected based on previous personal and professional interactions. The pilot was employed to ensure the questionnaire’s consistency and to seek suggestions on additional topics that should be incorporated into the revised survey.

The link of the webpage of the questionnaire was distributed by e-mails of numerous organizations (e.g., IUFoST, ISEKI-Food Association, SoFE, IFT) and food practitioners globally. The survey was conducted in English, avoiding any possible language ambiguities. It was completely anonymous and was open from the end of May until the end of July 2022. Both mobile and computerized feedback was offered.

A 5-point Likert-type scale 26 was applied and consisted of 1 (‘Very low’), 2 (‘Low’), 3 (‘Medium’), 4 (‘High’), and 5 (‘Very high’). For comparisons, the Likert-type scale assessments were transformed into a calculated average. The Likert-type scale is widely employed as a fundamental and commonly utilized psychometric instrument in educational and social sciences research, marketing research, customer satisfaction studies, opinion surveys, and numerous other fields. One topic included ranking (from 1 to 5; each rank could appear only once).

Apart from the professional questions, the survey included demographic information such as gender, age group, location where the most advanced degree was obtained, or current place for study according to the following geographic categories: Western Europe, Eastern Europe, UK, North America including Canada, Mexico, South America, Asia/Middle East, China, Far East (excluding China), Oceania (Australia, New Zealand), and Africa. The questionnaire ended with an open-ended question asking for the interview’s possible suggestions for curriculum improvements. The data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel© spreadsheet (Redmont, Washington), JASP software (ver. 0.16.4, https://jasp-stats.org/ ), and IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows (version 28; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York). For significant differences ( p  < 0.05) among groups, one-way ANOVA with a post-hoc least significant difference (LSD) test was performed. A two-sided t -test was utilized to identify significant differences ( p  < 0.05) between the averages of the two groups.

The survey was written according to the authorization from the Committee for the Use of Human Subjects in Research through The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (file: AGHS/01.15) as outlined previously 12 . Before starting the study, the participants were informed that the responses were completely anonymous. Also, before starting the questionnaire, the consent of the participants was requested, and only those who agreed were able to start the study.

Reporting summary

Further information on research design is available in the Nature Research Reporting Summary linked to this article.

Data availability

The dataset obtained and analyzed during the current study is available from Prof. Eli Cohen upon request.

Change history

13 february 2024.

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41538-024-00256-z

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the contribution of IUFoST (International Union of Food Science & Technology), mainly to WG 1.2 ‘Emerging Issues, Key Focus Areas´ working group members, for pretesting, distributing, and spreading the survey. The author, C.L.M. Silva, would like to acknowledge the support by National Funds from FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia through project UIDB/50016/2020.

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I.S.S., C.L.M.S., and E.C. conceived and developed the questionnaire. E.C. data curation. E.C. and I.S.S. performed the validation and formal statistical analysis. I.S.S. and E.C. conducted the investigation and wrote the paper. C.L.M.S. provided expertize, feedback, and paper revision–supervision and project administration by I.S.S.

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Saguy, I.S., Silva, C.L.M. & Cohen, E. Emerging challenges and opportunities in innovating food science technology and engineering education. npj Sci Food 8 , 5 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41538-023-00243-w

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494 Nutrition Research Topics & Interesting Essay Titles on Food for Students

A wise man once said that your food can be the slowest killing poison or the most powerful and safest medicine. This adage underscores nutrition’s supreme place in human health and life. Composing a paper on this topic can be of great value to you. That’s because you’ll get the chance to learn about the centrality of nutrition, evaluate diets, analyze food’s nutritional contents, and raise public awareness of food issues.

In this article, our expert team has assembled the best topics that can guide your research of this subject in depth and excel in your next nutrition research paper.

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• Is mother’s milk the best choice for the baby?
• Nutritional approaches for low birth weight.
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• Diets for people with gastrointestinal disorders.
• The role of malnutrition in premature aging.

Nutrition science is an academic branch that examines how food affects our well-being and health. It also determines the optimal levels of vital nutrients and elements we receive from food. Nutrition scholars examine foods, food groups, and intake patterns. This field seeks to explain how healthy eating boosts people’s overall mental and physical performance.

A nutrition scientist also engages in research work to expand and refine our understanding of the relationship between healthy life and diet. They guide people on good eating and develop education programs and public health policies to help communities make wise food choices .

All health experts in other spheres require a sound understanding of nutrition. Why? Because good eating can help prevent and treat most known diseases. Thus, a Nutrition major can be an excellent choice for those pursuing health-related professions.

Are you stuck with your nutrition research assignment? Here are popular topics for 2024 to talk about in your next nutrition assignment.

• Obesity and weight: what does nutrition have to do with it?
• Omega-6 fatty acids: exploring their nutritional value.
• Do organic foods offer superior nutritional value?
• Nutrition: Foods Containing Calories .
• Osteoporosis: how does good nutrition prevent it?
• How can good nutrition address chronic obesity among teenagers ?
• Sufficient hydration: its hidden role in promoting health.
• Nutrition: Fighting the Childhood Obesity Epidemic .
• A healthy diet as the best way to achieve safe weight loss.
• Whole grains and their nutritional value.
• Saturated fats and their role in nutrition.
• Nutrition and Food Security within the Aboriginal and Remote Communities of Australia .
• Soft drinks: a malnutrition time bomb.
• The role of misinformation in promoting malnutrition .
• Multivitamins and their nutritional value.
• Nutrition: Why Is Healthy Eating Important?
• Food labeling and user nutritional safety.
• Food poisoning and how it affects good nutrition.
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• Nutrition: Obesity Epidemics in America .
• Technology: how is it accelerating nutrition science?
• Eating disorders : their role in malnutrition.
• Fruits and vegetables: their role in nutrition-based immunity.
• Nutrition, Healthy Food Choice, and Nutritional Value of Fast Foods .
• Fast Food and Obesity Link – Nutrition.
• How does good nutrition boost heart health?
• High-protein diets and healthy living.

Topics in Clinical Nutrition

Clinical nutrition is a scientific practice that analyzes whether a person consumes enough nutrients for healthy living. Here is a list of our carefully selected hot clinical topics for college students.

• Food chemistry and good nutrition.
• High-Risk Nutritional Practices .
• How does a sound food policy promote clinical nutrition?
• How does technology affect nutrition?
• Nutritional Requirements During Pregnancy .
• Nutrition and metabolism : what’s the connection?
• Nutrition support action and in-patients in the US.
• The Roles of Nurses in Providing Nutrition Safety .
• Gut microbiome: how does it affect health and disease prevention?
• Effects of probiotics on the common cold and flu.
• Probiotics and diarrhea management in children.
• Nutrition and Obesity: Management and Prevention .
• Nutrition and its effects on antioxidation.
• Good diet and its effects on child diarrhea management .
• Investigation of nutritional screening and its benefits for older adults.
• Childhood Obesity Prevention: Physical Education and Nutrition .
• Pediatric nutrition screening among children in the developing world.
• Nutrition status assessment and its benefits for children.
• Challenges facing African nutrition professionals.
• Eating Disorders: Why Do We Need to Control Our Nutrition?
• Nutrition experts and their role in promoting public health.
• The role of training in promoting nutrition professionals’ efficiency.
• Coronavirus and Nutrition .
• Challenges facing nutrition education in the developing world.
• The elusive work-life balance among American nutritionists.
• Nutrition Research with Reference to Colorectal Cancer .
• Good nutrition and stress management.
• Nutritional challenges facing child refugees.

Research Topics in Nutrition and Dietetics

Dietetics applies nutrition and good feeding knowledge to understand and promote health and wellness among individuals and groups. Dietitians help people make informed eating decisions.

Here are cool topics to jumpstart you.

• Keto diet : exploring its potential risk factors.
• Dietary changes during pregnancy.
• Healthy Food: the Impact of the Vegetarian Diet .
• Improving physical fitness while limiting calorie consumption.
• How does a vegan diet affect your life?
• Normal Dieting and Eating Disorders .
• Dietary fats: unmasking their good, bad, and ugly sides.
• How do proteins help with weight loss?
• Juice cleansing: does it really work?
• Obesity Treatment: Surgery vs. Diet and Exercises .
• Contemporary diet trends and their effects on your health.
• Harmful lifestyle trends promote eating disorders.
• Fad Diets’ Impact on Human Health: Problem Solution .
• Ensuring proper nutrient intake on a vegan diet.
• Vegan foods: are they always the healthiest?
• How to overcome unhealthy emotional connections to food ?
• Non-Vegetarian Diet and Its Health Effects .
• Cannabinoid nutritional supplements: their hidden benefits and downsides.
• Diabetic prevalence among American teenagers.
• Weight Loss, Calories, Diet and Physical Exercising .
• Obesity and its connection to nutritionists’ perceptions and practices.
• Technology’s role in promoting nutrition education .
• Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet .
• The role of good feeding in managing terminal illnesses.
• Nutritional challenges facing ghetto dwellers.
• Eating Habits and Dietary Acculturation ,
• Nutrient and medication intake among children with neuro-developmental disorders.
• Good diet as a tool for reducing teenage obesity.
• Analysis of the Mediterranean Diet .

Nutrition and Exercise Research Topics

A balanced diet and physical activity are two pillars of human well-being. Moreover, healthy nutrition is essential for athletes because it promotes sufficient energy levels and accelerates post-exercise recovery . Below, you’ll find engaging topics about nutrition and exercise for high school students.

• A balanced diet and heart disease prevention.
• Diet and Exercises in Muscle Mass and Weight Loss .
• The role of nutrition in managing cardiovascular diseases.
• How do regular exercise and balanced nutrition reduce age-related degenerative diseases ?
• Obesity, Diet Modification and Physical Exercises .
• How do exercise and healthy food choices improve neurological function?
• How does a vegan diet lower cancer risk ?
• The Effectiveness of Diet and Exercise Therapy .
• Why are eating disorder rates increasing among female athletes?
• How does a vegan diet boost sporting performance?
• Exercise Stage and Decisional Balance in Overweight People .
• How much protein do you need for optimal muscle development?
• Can exercise and a balanced diet minimize heart attack risks?
• Nutrition and Exercise Plan for a Healthy Lifestyle .
• Can regular exercise and good nutrition eliminate cancer risks?
• The importance of meal timing for athletes.
• Physical Exercises as Obesity Treatment .
• Do your food choices affect muscle recovery ?
• Problems caused by excessive exercise and dieting.
• Nutrition and exercise: how much is too much?
• Physical Exercise for Adolescents .
• How to maintain electrolyte balance during endurance workouts?
• How does creatine improve athletic performance?
• Safe weight cut ahead of competitive games.
• Cardiovascular Diseases: Effects of Diet and Exercise .
• How do dietary fibers affect carbohydrate uptake and assimilation?
• How does caffeine affect athletic performance?
• The Role Exercise Plays in Diabetes Prevention .
• How do physical environments affect eating behaviors?

Other Nutrition Research Questions

Do you want the best topics about nutrition trends and technology? Here is our list of current ideas to research and write about.

• Are fermented foods sustainable protein alternatives?
• Nutritional Support During Pregnancy .
• How can green technologies be used for bioactive compound extraction?
• What are alternative protein sources for sustainable nutrition?
• Carbohydrates’ Role in Nutrition .
• What innovative technologies are used for producing high-quality proteins?
• How can AI technology advance food science ?
• How can solar drying technologies be used for food preservation?
• Nutrition: Causes and Effects of Fast Food .
• What are AI applications in postharvest food management?
• What bio-preservation approaches can be used in sustainable food processing?
• Healthy Nutrition for Vulnerable Aging Population .
• What is the role of AI in promoting safe food packaging ?
• What non-thermal technologies can be used for food preservation?
• Nutrition, Disease, and Malnutrition .
• How is ethics involved in developing new food processing technologies?
• What is the role of consumer behavior in developing a sustainable food chain?
• What challenges are linked to food preservation in the developing world?
• Factors Affecting Nutritional Intake .
• How do we minimize postharvest food loss in developing nations?
• What strategies can boost food waste management in the developed world?
• Healthy Nutrition Policy within a Workplace .
• What are edible oil extraction challenges in Asia?
• How can we reduce microbiological risks in food processing ?
• How can we ensure safe food preservation?
• Nutritional Supplements, Weight Loss Plans and Working Out .
• Nanotechnology and food production: what are the risks?
• What are trending sustainable food processing technologies in Asia?
• Nutrition Research: Grapefruit Diet for Weight Loss .

Here are some more handpicked nutritional food topics to inspire your essay.

• Safe food flavor manufacturing technologies.
• Technological advances in food coloring.
• Food Science: How to Make Butter .
• The latest food safety technologies that could boost food security in Africa.
• Food irradiation: how safe is it?
• Genetically Modified Foods and Their Impact on Human Health .
• How does microbiology improve food safety?
• What are nutraceutical products?
• Food Safety: A Policy Issue in Agriculture Today .
• Describe the process of extracting essential oils from plants.
• Does heat-based food processing reduce food’s nutritional value?
• Healthy Food in U.S. Schools .
• GMO foods : Are they as safe as they sound?
• How does food enriching differ from fortifying?
• Nutrients: The Distribution in the Food Groups .
• Describe how the food industry uses enzymes .
• How does food science improve the diet of older adults?
• Nutrition and disease prevention: challenges facing developing nations.
• Dietary Macronutrients: Importance and Benefits .
• How does good nutrition promote chronic liver disease management?
• The role of dietary proteins in promoting insulin resistance.
• Microbes and their role in promoting nutrient utilization for healthy living.
• Macronutrient Intake for a Day and Its Effect .
• Does dietary nitrate promote or undermine health?
• Expedition nutrition: common challenges and their solutions.
• Healthy and Nutritious Food for Young Children .
• Sustainable food: what are its nutritional dimensions?
• Fatty acid metabolism and immunity : how can the health sector help?

Sports Nutrition Topics

Here are some trending sport nutrition topics for discussion in your upcoming project.

• Creatine: how can it boost sports performance?
• Important Dietary Considerations for Endurance Athletes .
• Healthy eating and weight management.
• How do dietary supplements impact healthy bones and tendons during combat sports?
• Nutrition and Performance: The Effects of Nutrients on the Health of Endurance Athletes .
• The best nutrients for recovery from sports injuries.
• Body fluid balance after intensive sporting activities.
• A pragmatic approach to bicarbonate loading and sports performance.
• High Nutrition Diet and Its Harm to Athletes .
• A milkshake as a post-sporting recovery drink among young athletes.
• What is the role of food supplements in promoting effective sports activities?
• Nutrition and Hydration for Young Athletes .
• Food supplements and doping: Where should athletes draw the line?
• Does caffeine impact physical resilience?
• How does milk consumption boost athletic endurance?
• Coaches’ Role in Athletes’ Nutrition and Mental Health .
• How does a vegan diet influence athletic performance?
• What’s the effect of nutrition on blood volume during sports?
• Sports Nutrition: High-Protein Diet .
• How should athletes manage their hunger?
• The role of calcium in athletic performance.
• The benefits of a high-carbohydrate diet for athletes.
• Poor Nutrition: Impact on Poor Sports Performance .
• Fruits and vegetables: how do they provide energy for athletic activities?
• Water: exploring its hidden role in promoting successful sporting.
• Sports Nutrition Strategies for Triathletes .
• Sports drinks: How do they boost energy during long training sessions?
• Dietary supplements : their invaluable role in injury healing.

Food and Nutrition Topics

Wondering how specific foods and nutrients affect our health? Check out inspiring sample ideas for your paper on this subject.

• How do minerals and vitamins differ in their functions?
• Pizza as One of the Most Popular Food in London .
• The consequences of excessive protein intake.
• Effects of excess sugar in your body.
• Packaging in Marketing, Food Safety, Environment .
• Describe the consequences of dehydration on mental health and focus.
• Explain why glucose is vital to good health.
• Food Safety Issues in Modern Agriculture .
• Describe the circumstances that necessitate vitamin supplement use.
• Explain how ketosis develops in the human organism.
• Fast Food and Obesity Link – Nutrition .
• Explain why some people are intolerant to lactose.
• Describe the benefits of fats in promoting overall health.
• Time and Food: Chrononutrition & Night Eating .
• Differentiate between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids .
• Cholesterol: should people refrain from it or control its intake?
• Food Allergies and Eating Disorders .
• Explain the role of zinc in promoting sound health.
• Health dangers of depending on dietary supplements.
• Why is healthy food the best medicine?
• Sustainable Food Systems, Nutrition .
• Explain vitamin C’s role in neutralizing free radicals.
• Explore how inappropriate cooking methods destroy food nutrients.
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Biotechnology in Improving the Nutritive Value of Foods .
• How does red raspberry consumption boost the body’s anti-inflammatory potential?
• Does eating a fruit-based diet promote insulin action in people?
• Junk Food and Children’s Obesity .
• Describe how strawberries help lower cholesterol levels.
• Health dangers of consuming overly processed carbohydrates .

Health and Nutrition Topics

Nutrition has an immense impact on our health. If you want to explore this relationship in more detail, check out the most inspiring ideas to kick-start you.

• Strategies for assessing the antioxidant potential of fruit drinks.
• Healthy Eating Habits .
• Processed and unprocessed fruit beverages: which ones are healthier?
• Examine the cleansing potential of fresh juice .
• Problems Associated with Unhealthy Eating Among Children .
• Explain how nutrition influences healthy hormonal balance.
• How does the body convert sunlight into vitamin D ?
• Does poor nutrition cause baldness?
• Healthy Nutrition During Pregnancy .
• Describe how a good diet promotes healthy hair growth.
• Is a vegetarian diet a healthy choice for children ?
• Explain how a healthy diet promotes natural body detoxification.
• How does healthy eating prevent cognitive decline?
• Healthy Food Access for Poor People .
• How does good nutrition facilitate body immunity?
• Healthy Eating Advertising in Canada .
• Why does excess sugar consumption cause health problems?
• How does good nutrition facilitate digestive health ?
• Explain how chronic diseases influence nutritional health.
• Snacks and Beverages: Healthy Alternatives for Kids .
• Why are micronutrients vital in boosting good health?
• Explain how poor diet choices promote lifestyle diseases.
• Addressing a Healthy Diet at Home .
• Does crop engineering promote or undermine human health?
• How to prevent macronutrient and micronutrient deficiencies?
• Healthy Fast Foods: Sector Analysis .
• Accurate food labeling and dietary choices.
• The role of anti-inflammatory diets in managing chronic diseases.
• A Persuasive Speech: The Importance of Eating Healthy.

Animal Nutrition Topics

Wondering about the influence of nutrition on animals? Here are nutrition research paper topics in food and animal health .

• The role of good feeding in boosting rabbit health.
• A balanced diet and its place in reducing puppy mortality rates .
• Does healthy feeding promote reproduction in rabbit farming?
• Teat Dipping and Milk Iodine Concentrations in Dairy Cows .
• Healthy feeding as a tool for fighting allergies in cats.
• Reducing dietary mistakes to increase goat milk production.
• Good feeding and safe calving among dairy cows.
• Pet Food Product Marketing Strategy .
• Addressing the confusion surrounding protein’s role in pet food.
• Protein’s role in dairy cow health.
• The best foods for increased dairy production.
• Nature’s Best Pet Food Brand’s Target Market .
• Carbohydrates: why do dairy cows need them?
• How does green matter improve pigs’ health?
• Why might home-cooked food not be the right choice for pets?
• Nutrition for Gorillas at the National Zoo .
• Is good feeding enough to keep healthy laying hens?
• Healthy eating and pet diarrhea prevention.
• Best food storage practices for healthy pet rearing.
• The nutritive value of ruminant feeds .
• Preventing food poisoning among pets.
• What are the healthy feeding principles for kitten health?
• Is a carbohydrate-rich diet good for calves?
• Accurate pet food labeling and its impact on animal safety.
• The best diet to boost the health of cats with kidney disease.

Are you looking for unique topics to cover in your nutrition essay? Here are some good ideas in different nutrition science areas.

• Healthy diet as a tool for preventing and treating food allergies .
• Vitamin D deficiency in children in developing countries.
• Fitness and Nutritional Habits .
• Good feeding and obesity treatment in preschoolers.
• A healthy diet for mothers and pre-term infants.
• How Do Fried Foods Affect Nutrition for Young Adults?
• How does a poor diet fuel chronic sleep problems among teenagers?
• Does poor childhood nutrition increase cardiovascular risk in adulthood?
• Explore how different cultures handle food.
• Nutritional Necessities of Individuals with Disabilities .
• Explain the health benefits of cereal.
• What are healthy alternatives to white sugar ?
• Why is healthier brown bread less popular?
• Nutrition Goals, Types and Steps .
• Nutrients in white and brown bread : a comparison.
• Why isn’t meat still such a staple food in many African cultures?
• What are coffee’s healthier alternatives?
• Dietary Knowledge and Adult Overweight in China .
• Gut microbiome modifiers: are they a healthy option?
• The effects of vitamin D deficiency on older adults.
• Safer and healthier chocolate substitutes.
• Women Losing Their Periods Because of Diets and Exercise .
• Strategies to boost healthy eating among college students.
• Do eating disorders affect people’s mental performance?
• Therapeutic Diets Used in the Hospital .
• What is hunger’s role in anorexia?
• Benefits of healthy eating habits for adults.

Popular Nutrition Topics

Do you want to write a paper on trending topics that promote nutrition education ? Here are inspiring subject prompts.

• Eating In vs. Eating Out: Pros and Cons .
• Acne: how does a balanced diet prevent it?
• Recovery from alcoholism : how can a dietary regimen speed it up?
• How does good eating prevent Alzheimer’s disease?
• Eating Habits in UK: From Past Till Now .
• How can a fruit-based diet promote antioxidation?
• Does a healthy diet prevent arthritis?
• Eating Healthy and Its Link to Obesity .
• Beans and their role in preventing anemia.
• Cancer: does good dieting prevent it?
• How good feeding prevents high blood pressure.
• Eating Habits among the Teenagers .
• Cholesterol levels: how much is safe?
• Coffee: what is its dietary value to the body?
• Eating Fast Food and Obesity Correlation Analysis .
• A dairy-based diet and its effect on overall body health.
• Depression: can healthy eating reduce it ?
• How do eggs promote healthy living?
• Malnourishment: Eating Habits .
• Fasting as a tool to boost healthy living.
• What is the best diet for men’s health?
• Indian Cuisine: Food and Socio-Cultural Aspects of Eating .
• The best foods for improving women’s health.
• Omega-3 fatty acids: the silver bullet against cardiovascular diseases?
• Pregnancy : the most significant adjustments to boost mother and baby health.
• Eating Habits, Brain’s Role and Advertising Impact Analysis .
• Turmeric: its hidden health benefits in boosting the body’s anti-inflammation power.
• The best foods to eat for improved dental health.

Controversial Nutrition Topics

Are you searching for controversial nutrition topics to research? Here’s our list of the best ideas for college students.

• Are vegan athletes better performers than meat-eating ones?
• Eggs and Salmonella as Ethical Dilemma in Community .
• Carbon footprint labeling : why it should be mandated.
• Are foods safer than supplements?
• High-Risk Nutritional Practices in the US and China .
• Why are artificial sweeteners not good for health?
• Infant formulas promote laziness among mothers.
• Nutrition: Obesity Pandemic and Genetic Code .
• The role of micronutrients in promoting a healthy pregnancy.
• How does nutrition support promote Lyme disease treatment ?
• Personalized diet plans and why they fail most of the time.
• Nutritional Challenges for Government .
• Collagen supplements: do they work?
• All hydroponics crops can’t qualify as organic.
• Genetically Modified Food Safety and Benefits .
• Do dietary supplements assist in treating type 2 diabetes?
• There’s no such thing as “healthy” fast food.
• All fast foods are slow poisons.
• Causes and Effects of Fast Food: Essay Example .
• Are soy foods a silver bullet in promoting good thyroid health?
• Why do pesticides affect the overall safety of farm produce?
• All industrial meats are sweet poison.
• Vegetarian Diet and Animal Testing Theory .
• Does the Keto diet help treat cancer, or is it a myth?
• Red meat is safer than what most people believe.
• Fad Diets and Their Impact on Human Health .
• Natural red meat is safer than GMO crops.
• Energy drinks : why you should question their efficacy.

Other Nutrition Topics to Write About

Do you want some more ideas for your research paper ? Here are additional interesting nutrition topics to consider.

• Eating a vegetarian diet : a fad or a necessity?
• Nutritional value of wild Amaranth grain .
• Healthy eating: why it is the safest medicine.
• Sufficient hydration and healthy living.
• Nutritional health as an important aspect of geriatric care .
• Diet and health: prevention of lifestyle diseases .
• How can good feeding fix most digestive disorders?
• The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in the US economy .
• Eating disorders among teens and how a good diet at home can prevent them.
• Food allergies and intolerance among teens.
• Healthcare nutrition: dieting for reducing weight and improving optimal health .
• Good diet and heart health among children.
• High blood pressure and how healthy eating can prevent it.
• Dairy products consumption and obesity .
• A balanced diet for effective osteoporosis management .
• Dietary supplements and healthy diet.
• Nutrition issues: obesity and breastfeeding .
• Herbal supplements and gut health.
• Vitamin supplements for elderly people.
• Hunger and environmental nutrition .
• Mineral supplements for pregnant mothers.
• Food poisoning and its complications.
• Nutrition’s impact in developing type II diabetes mellitus .
• Safe food preparation promotes good health.
• Diets for weight management among teenagers.
• Congestive heart failure and nutrition issues .
• The best nutrition for adolescents.
• The best diet for senior citizens.
• Cystic fibrosis and malnutrition in children .
• Correct meal planning and good health.

Creating a presentation about nutrition can be an exciting task. You can not only describe but also illustrate different cuisines, diet plans , food preparation processes, and more. Do you need trending nutrition research topics for your presentation? Here are our carefully selected title examples for your inspiration.

• Healthy diets for a busy lifestyle.
• Nutrition in China: red yeast rice .
• The best foods for mood improvement.
• How good eating protects against aging-related inflammation.
• Nutrition: how to prepare scrambled eggs ?
• Understanding the best foods for children.
• Is intermittent fasting another form of disordered eating?
• Track your diet: diet observation and nutritional choices .
• Intermittent fasting: how does it restrict calories?
• Calorie-control diets: how effective are they?
• Healthy nutrition: obesity prevention in young children .
• Are calorie-control diets safe?
• Does the cookie diet protect users against obesity?
• Diet and nutrition trends .
• Does juice fasting really work?
• The effects of a master cleanse diet in promoting natural detoxification .
• Malnutrition in patients: causes and stakeholders .
• Does pricing GMO foods lower make them worth the try?
• Are costlier, safer organic foods worth the extra penny?
• Culinary arts and nutrition .
• Why do many first-year college students gain weight?
• How do nutritional choices affect a mother’s breast milk quality?
• Nutrition for active life: innovative nursing care .
• How do diet choices affect performance in the workplace?
• Explain how a school’s food choices affect student health.
• Nutrition labeling: meaning and importance .
• Why do people become addicted to junk food ?
• How do professional athletes influence people’s dietary choices?
• Nutrition: anatomy of a supermarket purchase .
• Describe how a vegan diet impacts one’s overall health.
• Does one’s eating schedule affect their general health?
• High-risk nutritional behaviors .
• Does GMO food acceptance thrive on mass ignorance?
• How does malnutrition affect children’s bodily health?
• Nutrition before and after gastric bypass .
• Explain how malnutrition affects a child’s mental health .
• How do healthy food decisions affect brain development ?
• Nutritional practices for infants and toddlers .
• Does people’s financial power directly determine their dietary choices?
• How do a pregnant mother’s dietary choices affect her unborn baby’s immunity?
• Nutritional “cures” for clients with cancer or HIV-AIDS .
• Explain how income levels and nutrition awareness affect eating choices.
• Explain how late-night eating affects one’s health.
• Benton County nutrition action plan .
• What lessons can people learn from the Kosher diet ?

Check out more nutrition topics for college students to supercharge your nutrition paper.

• How do the cuisines of different countries differ when determining a balanced diet?
• Effects of nutrition on cancer and cardiovascular disease control .
• How does infants’ nutrition affect their future lives?
• What challenges are linked to dietary policy implementation in Africa?
• Malnutrition in hospitalized patients .
• Discuss the possible health risks of pasteurized milk.
• What are the nutritional effects of homemade food?
• Nutrition supplement knowledge among low-income students .
• How does a good diet promote healthy brain formation?
• Nutritional challenges facing women in refugee camps.
• Nutrition for a cerebral palsy patient .
• Do parents’ eating patterns affect children’s nutritional choices?
• Strategies to protect college young adults from eating disorders.
• Role of nutrition in supporting fitness and exercise .
• Analyze America’s school lunch programs .
• Improving children’s food choices to prevent chronic disorders.
• The importance of nutritional labeling on packaged food .
• Is overhydration as harmful as dehydration ?
• Analyze how excess vitamins can negatively affect good health.
• The health impacts of non-nutritive sweeteners .
• How do carbohydrates transform into energy?
• Sugar varieties and their nutritional impact.
• Japan’s food patterns and nutrition habits .
• FDA recommendations for a healthy nutritional intake.
• Non-digestible substances: examine their role in improving health.
• Healthy eating plate: nutritional recommendations .
• How does a healthy diet promote strong connective tissue development?
• What eating disorders promote poor antioxidant intake?
• Artificially administered nutrition and hydration .
• How does a controlled healthy diet help manage diabetes?
• Discuss the long-term implications of dehydration in children.
• Nutritional changes in risotto recipes .
• Explain the long-term ramifications of fasting.
• How does a poor diet expose people to cancer?
• The social justice and nutrition in a family .
• How do depression and anxiety affect malnourished children?
• How does a good diet affect anxiety in patients?
• Influence of media on nutritional choices in school-age children .
• Compare and contrast how fats affect different animals.
• Does embracing a vegan diet for a long time have negative health implications?
• Nutrition: impact on human health and self-esteem .
• Why do expectant mothers crave various foods?
• Does taking processed sugar for a long time cause diabetes?
• Diet and nutrition for hepatitis treatment .
• Junk food and its long-term effects.

This was the most exhaustive list of nutrition topics. However, if you still have not found what you’re looking for, check out our free research title generator . Please share the content with friends and leave us a thumbs-up comment if you liked this material and found it helpful.

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200 Unique Nutrition Research Topics for Students of All Levels

Nutrition research holds immense importance in advancing our understanding of the link between food and health. A well-chosen research topic plays a pivotal role in this process, as it fosters curiosity, drives critical thinking, and contributes to the body of knowledge in the field. A compelling topic enables students to apply their knowledge, develop research skills, and contribute significantly to nutrition science, ultimately driving positive change in dietary practices and informing public health policies.

Table of Contents

Comprehensive Lists of Impressive Nutrition Research Topics

These lists allow researchers to explore up-and-coming areas like personalized nutrition, look into how food processing affects nutrients, and more. Something the writers working with professional  Medical writing services  will love to go with. 

Interesting Nutrition and Exercise Research Topics

If you’re looking for something interesting that will keep your readers engaged and debating, check out this list of interesting research topics in nutrition:

• An application of metabolomics to epidemiology can be found here.
• Providing nutritional care and disease management with particular emphasis on enteral and parental nutrition
• Nutrition as a means of preventing cancer
• The challenges that food companies face in terms of regulatory standards and competitiveness
• Studies on the therapeutic Role of diet in the treatment of chronic diseases
• A review of nutritional factors based on physical activity levels, socioeconomic factors, and demographic characteristics
• The importance of healthy eating habits to your physical and mental well-being and how they can help you
• Sleep and height growth in children: Is there a causal relationship between the two?
• Consumption of alcohol and tobacco may be linked to breast cancer and other types of cancer.
• Work and breastfeeding are a mother’s responsibility.
• Development of innovative solutions to meet the challenges of sustainable food resource development
• The sustainability of food production in the world today
• A healthy diet and high quality of life
• What is the most effective way to adapt healthy habits to your lifestyle?
• Healthy eating habits can prevent chronic diseases from occurring.
• Maximizing the nutritional, sensory, functional, and safety characteristics of the food that we consume
• Menopause age and cardiovascular risk during the aging process
• The longitudinal relationship between cognitive and motor Performance and how nutrition can influence it to perform at its peak can be explored.
• An accelerometer and a questionnaire were used to measure physical activity levels.
• A study on the early determinants of whether children prefer protein from animals or protein from vegetables
• Identifying and assessing the causes of early childhood food allergies in children
• The problem of malnutrition in children
• Infectious diseases and various other conditions can be treated with nutritional support.

Trendy Nutrition Topics to Research

Want to keep up with the trends while you  writing a research paper ? Go with picking up a topic from this list of research topics about nutrition. 

• An analysis of the determinants and states of health based on a typology
• After the age of 50, several factors contribute to frailty
• Health effects of outdoor air pollution on humans: a study of associations
• Oxidative stress plays an imperative role in the function of biological markers
• Cleaning and disinfecting products in the workplace can result in occupational exposure
• Depending on your social group, how often you use food, and how it affects your general eating habits
• Role of a healthy diet in a brilliant mental health
• Treating infertility through medical means
• Young adults using electronic cigarettes and the factors associated with their use are discussed in this article
• The environments in which we live have an effect on our stress levels in everyday life
• Identifying nutritional exposures and assessing their impact
• Biobanking of nutritional exposures; estimation of nutritional exposures
• Nutritional markers with a high level of stability
• A revolutionary method of analyzing nutritional problems based on innovative statistical methods and big data
• How can eating well improve our lives? 
• Researching public health and nutrition issues using experimental and epidemiological approaches
• An assessment of the impact of public health nutrition strategies can be done using theoretical systems
• Public health nutritional strategies that may have a positive impact on public health
• Public health epidemiology and evaluation are critical aspects of public health
• There are several mechanisms involved in the relationship between nutrition and health
• Nutrition and health are interconnected through the mechanism of nutrient absorption
• A novel approach to determining dietary habits based on innovative determinants
• Nutrient exposures and behaviors in emerging and underexplored populations

New Research Topics in Nutrition

This list of new topics will certainly give you an edge to impress your professor. Here you go with the list. 

• Eating disorders are caused by a variety of factors
• Families play a critical role in the treatment of eating disorders
• Role of the family as the reason for eating disorders
• Eating disorders associated with sociocultural values
• Eating disorders caused by difficulties with physical health and fatigue
• Several psychological factors influence eating disorders
• An overview of the methodology for measuring eating disorders with measuring instruments.
• A brief description of anorexia nervosa and its characteristics.
• An overview of the definitions and characteristics of eating disorders.
• Eating disorders being reported by the patient
• The results of a survey conducted between three different colleges concerning eating disorders
• A study of food disorders and their relation to the environment is presented below
• The definition and characteristics of bulimia can be found in the following document

Fitness and Nutrition Research Topics

Pick a topic from this list to get a chance to research the world of fitness and nutrition. Here you go with the list: 

• Overview of the History of Fitness and Nutrition
• After childbirth, what Role does fitness play in a woman’s life?
• Relationships between the fitness industry and the nutritional industry
• The Role of Fitness in the Health of the Public as a Whole
• What is the ideal number of fitness centers per 100 square kilometers, and where should they be located?
• How can nutrition influence hormones in college students and prevent unhealthy eating habits?
• Where to get guidance regarding fitness and precision nutrition?
• An overview of the technological developments occurring in the fitness industry as well as their relation to nutrition
• Weightlifters’ relationships with their bodies and their interaction with each other
• The practice of fitness is of interest to women: The rising trend of women’s gyms
• Taking part in fitness activities and meeting other people: A great source to socialize and release mental pressure
• Chronic diseases in college students accumulated with disordered eating habits
• Exercise as a means of combating stress and anxiety
• What are the reasons for practicing fitness exercises?
• The importance of exercise and proper nutrition in slowing down premature aging
• Pregnant women can benefit from fitness and nutrition during their pregnancy
• Number of exercises that can be used to combat metabolic diseases
• Exercises that are beneficial to the health of the lungs
• Heart disease prevention exercises that you can do at home
• An exercise program that will help you overcome physical inactivity and paralysis

Nutrition Research Topics Related to Sports

Student-athletes are always curious to learn how what they eat affects their Performance. These topics can be just as helpful to them as they are to medical students. Here’s your chance to write excellent nutritional research articles. 

• Nutritional requirements for the provision of micronutrients and nutrients to the athlete of the body
• Essential polyunsaturated fatty acids for sportsmen
• Trans fatty acids and conjugated fatty acids for sportsmen
• Estimation of daily energy expenditure by athletes
• Estimation of the basal metabolic rate
• Calculation of the recommended daily energy intake
• Nutritional Needs of the General Population Compared to Athletes
• Evolution of carbohydrate recommendations
• Dietary Supplements to enhance athletic Performance
• The Role of Glycogen in Performance
• Interaction and synergy of metabolic pathways
• Energy and carbohydrates metabolism
• Comparison of sporting disciplines in terms of diet
• Consumption of food products intended for athletes
• Consumption of food supplements
• A healthy controlled diet and health benefits of sports nutrition
• Dietary supplements to improve circulation and health benefits
• Muscular development and fat mass loss
• Proteins, amino acids, and derivatives: Athletic support requirements
• Dietary supplements used by Athletes and their risks
• An athlete’s fight against fatigue.
• Athletes need vitamins
• Risks of post-exercise products

Food and Nutrition Research Topics

Understanding how different foods affect your health is a great reason to watch what you eat. The following topics can help you narrow your focus on the important aspects of food and nutrition that everyone should know about.

• The foods that contribute to negative thinking
• Chemical analysis of foods leads to negative thinking and fatigue.
• An economic analysis of food systems
• Health benefits of organic food vs. staple food
• The food security situation in the northern Saharan region
• An analysis of strategies that can be used to build resilience to food insecurity
• A food security perspective on the vegetable sector
• Evaluation of the food security situation in the country
• Insufficient nutrition among children is a significant problem.
• Urban Malnutrition and its Determinants in the developing world
• How public stock of food products Significantly impacts public health and safety.
• Households vulnerable to successive food shocks show a high level of resilience.
• Gardening for market income and ensuring the security of food and nutrition
• The profile and integrated management of severe acute malnutrition at the San Jose Hospital: a case study
• Unique health benefits of food additives for college students
• Nutritional contributions of keto diets
• Role of administrative authorities to assure food safety
• The nutritional and dietary behaviors of specific populations, as well as patients with specific conditions
• The determinants of eating innovative behavior
• Nutrition and health are interconnected through the mechanism of nutrient absorption.

Health and Nutrition Research Topics

We feel what we eat impacts our daily health and happiness. Some people want to change their diet but don’t know where to begin or how to avoid eating disorders. This list of hot topics will let you explore that. 

• In terms of climate change and food security, what is the extent of the problem?
• Monitoring the nutritional status of the population utilizing various methods
• The promotion of nutrition research in the human population
• Importance of food safety in society
• The process of training teachers, trainers, and relay personnel.
• Training in the fields of medicine and paramedicine.
• Public health measures and actions that have been taken to improve public health
• Media and personality involvement in food and health issues at the level of artistic, cultural, and sports media and personalities
• How poor eating habits lead to food addiction and too many vitamins
• Establishing a system for evaluating the food provided to hospital patients
• An overview of nutrition-related illnesses and their diagnosis and treatment
• Initiatives aimed at educating patients on the importance of diet and health
• Tool to assess nutritional status as part of a clinical assessment
• How unbalanced diets and poor eating habits lead to poor nutrition
• Different food groups contribute to the immune system as healthier alternatives to poor feeding habits.
• Different food groups ensure healthy eating effects and prevent eating disorders.
• Ensure food safety with dietary guidelines with the help of food science.

Easy Nutrition Research Topics

If you want to avoid the complexities of research by choosing a simple topic, go with this list. Still, if you need help choosing a topic or writing a research paper, let  our writers  know. Here’s the list. 

• Global food systems: A research paper on the subject
• The women’s perspective on breastfeeding and returning to work after maternity leave
• The effects of a balanced diet on the weight gain of pregnant women
• Health benefits of proper nutrition in women
• Consultation about diet during pregnancy and the delivery of twins.
• The importance of diet monitoring during pregnancy for women with gestational diabetes
• Managing diabetes in pregnant women and following up with them after delivery
• The impact of nutrition and micro-nutrition on the development of autoimmune diseases
• Analyzing the Effectiveness of artificial nutrition prescription practices in Adults
• The impact of a vegetarian diet on the development of a child
• Health benefits of nutrition education and promoting healthy food choices
• A guide for vegetarian pregnant women on how to take care of themselves
• The relationship between micronutrients and immunity
• Proper nutrition to overcome food additions and lose weight with homemade food
• The effect of lifestyle and dietary measures on patients with heart failure
• An examination of the relationship between oral health and nutrition in a population
• A study on the marketing of fruits and vegetables and healthy eating: characterization of the marketing channels involved
• How food science contributes to endorsing and promoting proper nutrition with the help of healthy organic foods
• A review of the association between orthostatic hypertension and geriatric syndromes
• The self-esteem of patients with liver transplants in terms of their physical appearance
• A report on the state of undernutrition in several hospitals on the island of Reunion
• Non-drug therapies in the management of pain in women: an overview of their use
• Insomnia management is based on a multidisciplinary approach.
• The Role of Communication in preventive actions in Pharmacies

For centuries, people have been fascinated with understanding how our bodies work and respond. That’s why there are so many interesting  research topics  on nutrition and nursing for today’s students to pick from. Speaking of which, we have put together 200 of the best nutrition topics for your research paper in this exciting blog post.

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Food Science & Nutrition Research

Open access issn: 2641-4295.

Food Science & Nutrition Research is an international, double-blind peer-reviewed open access journal covering all aspects of food science, beverage and nutrition research. The journal is an invaluable resource to inform individuals, organizations and the public on modern thinking, research, and attitudes to food and nutrition.

Food Science & Nutrition Research welcomes submissions of primary research, reviews, cases, and commentary article types as well as letters to the editor and editorials. Food Science & Nutrition Research is key reading for academics, researchers, and students in the nutrition, medicine and public health fields, nutritionists and dietitians, food company managers, food research institutes, health care professionals, managers, and other healthcare practitioners.

Our journal strongly supports the Open Access initiative. All published articles will be assigned DOI provided by Cross Ref. Food Science & Nutrition Research will keep up-to- date with the latest advancements in the feilds of food science and nutrition. Abstracts and Pdfs of all articles published are freely available to everyone immediately after publication.

Authors are requested to submit manuscripts as an e-mail attachment to the Editorial Office at [email protected] .

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Nutrition Research Topics: Top 185+ Ideas

Nutrition is a branch of science that studies the impact of different foods and drinks on our bodies and their association with diseases, health, and our diet. It examines how nutrients in food supply energy and the physiological and biochemical processes involved in nutrient absorption. We all comprehend the role nutrients play in our bodies and immune systems. It significantly decreases the risk of diseases and makes us more active and productive throughout our lives.

When you have to write about nutritional research topics, the information should be as accurate as possible. It implies that students must keep tabs on all the essential topics in nutrition, as well as topics that include integrated health and nutrition topics. Additionally, nutrition could be more complex than it might sound. However, if one knows the art of narrowing down some essential topics in food, the process can be much more straightforward for them. With our list of exciting nutrition topics for research papers, anyone can draft an excellent research paper. So, continue reading this blog that constitutes some brilliant research topics about nutrition.

Table of Contents

Choosing an Appropriate Nutrition Research Topic

We all understand the importance of the central topic for the entire research paper. Nutrition is a significantly broad field of study that entails topics regarding health education, health promotion, and human nutrition. Nutrients also include a branch of biochemistry, physical science, physiology, human anatomy, etc. Thus, selecting a research topic on your own is an uphill task because of these extensive research fields. However, if you exercise a few secret tips to choose your nutrient topics to research, the whole process will be more straightforward.

When choosing a nutrition research topic, consider the following:

• Relevance:  Is the topic of interest to you relevant to current nutritional issues?
• Importance:  Does the topic address a vital health or nutritional problem?
• Feasibility:  Can the research be realistically completed with available resources and within the time frame?
• Uniqueness:  Is the topic original, and has it yet to be extensively studied?
• Audience: Who is the intended audience for your research, and what is their level of interest in the topic?

185+ Nutrition Research Topics

Here is a list of some essential nutrition research topics you can use for your research. You can also refer to some nutrition capstone ideas if you need help deciding what topic to choose in your research. Nevertheless, here is a list of the best nutrition research topics you can use to start your research.

Nutritional Research Topics to Start Your Research

Understanding nutrition science is crucial for supporting one’s own health and survival. The research topics listed below help you articulate the significance of nutrition .

• Abdominal Fat and Health Risks (Abdominal Obesity)
• An overview of the trends and analysis of nutrients in foods
• Adolescence (including older children and teens)
• Adolescent and Childhood Obesity
• Aging (including older Americans)
• Blood Cholesterol Levels
• Biological and psychological aspects of eating disorders
• Body Mass Index (BMI): an overview
• Breast cancer and Smoking
• Bulimia: clinical features and long-term outcomes
• Breastfeeding an Infant with a Cow’s Milk Allergy
• Is becoming a vegan beneficial or harmful to society?
• influence of childhood obesity on the health and sanity of an individual
• Malnutrition’s effects on the immune system
• The impact of undernourishment on the mother and infant
• How a person’s behavior connects to their eating habits
• variations in how vitamins and minerals affect a person’s health.
• Nutritional and dietary factors that affect cardiac metabolism.

Research Topics on Essential Nutrients

There are three categories of nutrients named as- macro-nutrients, micro-nutrients, and water. An equal balance of these nutrients is essential for one’s health and survival. Below you will find some brilliant nutrition topics for research. You can explore each of the following topics to fully grasp and unravel your point of view regarding your selected topic.

• Exploring nutrition requirements for vulnerable groups
• Nutrition’s effect on how the body reacts to weight training
• The impact of ketogenic diets on cognitive and behavioral function
• Influence of amino acids on the human body
• Influence of early nutrients on man
• Effects of high dietary carbohydrates on fish nutrition
• Holick’s rule and vitamin D from sunlight
• Micro-nutrients for hair and nails
• Clinical effectiveness of standard components in oral hair growth supplements
• Nutrition and immunity
• The biological and functional consequences of zinc deficiency
• Exploring why anemia is still a significant health issue among women
• Different roles and biosynthesis of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids
• Exploring the adverse health effects of selenium on human health
• Diabetic complications and the imperativeness of glucose control for the human body
• Water as an essential nutrient: the physiological foundation of hydration
• Choline is an essential nutrient for humans.
• Understanding heavy metals as a critical nutrient for plants

Sports Nutrition Research Topics to Explore

Athletes are always curious to know more about the impact of nutrients on their performance. Whether you are a professional athlete or someone who works out regularly, an ideal diet filled with nutrients is essential. You require a suitable demand to replenish the energy the body drains while practicing. Consider exploring the following nutrition research topics about sports nutrition for your upcoming research paper:

• Eating problems are common among female athletes.
• Sports nutrition for the health and performance of athletes
• The significance of diversity in a sportsperson’s diet
• The effect of a plant-based diet on athletic performance
• The ideal amount of protein to consume for muscular growth
• The contribution of BCAAs to senior weightlifting performance
• The consumption of dietary supplements by athletes
• Muscle-enhancing behaviors among young athletes
• Plant-based protein vs. animal-based protein: an overview
• How do nutritional choices affect muscle recovery?
• Preserving electrolyte equilibrium throughout endurance training
• Creatine’s contribution to enhancing athletic performance
• Analyzing the contributions of protein and carbohydrates to athletes’ mental health
• Specialized diets that promote endurance and stamina
• A diet that beats fatigue replenishes energy and restores depleted stamina
• A thorough examination of post-workout nutrition for strength athletes
• Sports nutrition and performance: a detailed analysis
• The nutritional adequacy of plant-based diets
• Investigating how low-carb diet trends affect athletes’ performance

Research Topics in Nutrition Education

In simple terms, nutrition education is a sequential instructional program that educates an individual or group of individuals about the science of nutrients. Below are some exciting nutrition topics about education that will be useful for your research.

• Vegan and vegetarian diets
• How can nutrition benefit women’s and kids’ immune systems?
• Risk management mechanisms for food safety
• Preventing childhood obesity
• How water supports nutrient circulation and digestion
• The role of diets in illnesses like HIV/AIDS that already exist
• The contribution of nutrition to weight management
• The justification for those with chronic diseases needing particular dietary guidelines
• Dietary supplements: legend or reality?
• The safety of herbal supplements as dietary aids
• Reducing malnutrition by a balanced diet.
• Consumer behavior and nutrition education: a detailed analysis
• The effects of bad eating habits are elements that affect food safety.
• How can the world combat the obesity pandemic that is sweeping the globe?
• Children’s nutritional needs
• The role of nutrition in managing and gaining weight

Students can also correlate  biology research topics  from that with nutrition topics. These two subjects are associated with one another, which creates an essential option for students who need clarification on their topic.

Food and Nutrition Topics for Research Papers

Food and nutrition have an inextricable link that no one can break. All of us know a specific food item that contains lots of nutrients. Thus, we considered compiling a list of research topics based on food and nutrients. The following are some of the most promising food and nutrition research topics for students who want to dig deeper into this aspect.

• Why are sugars the main contributors to many health complications?
• Consumption of organic food for a healthy lifestyle
• The influence of intestinal health on dietary guidelines
• Exploring snacking habits for a healthy life
• Economical substitutes for wholesome organic meals
• effects of national food policy.
• The significance of fatty foods for the younger generation
• How chronic diseases impact nutritional health
• The function of macro- and micronutrients in maintaining general health
• The importance of carbohydrates in the human body
• Meat consumption and the risk of incident dementia
• Myths and facts about the food pyramid
• Relationship between food poisoning and food hygiene
• Chronic illnesses and wholesome food options
• The impact of protein on bone health
• Analyzing the effects of chocolate on human health
• Research the health advantages of indigestible substances.

Since nutritional food and substances play a significant part in a child’s development and growth, you can also consider reading our  child development research topics . You can read the entire article and correlate both topics to develop a unique nutrition topic for a research paper.

Research Topics About Nutrition And Dietetics

Exploring more and more about food diets and their role in the growth and development of our bodies is always fascinating. If you are the one looking for research topics on nutrition and dietetics, then we have some of the best topics for you, all lined up in the below-given list:

• Exploring the risk factors associated with the ketogenic diet
• Dietary intake among US adults: 1999–2022.
• Is gluten as harmful to humans as the media portrays?
• A research analysis of herbal medicine for sports
• A thorough examination of yo-yo dieting
• Why should you avoid empty calories, and what are they?
• What impact has globalization had on our diet?
• Cholesterol-lowering effects of dietary fiber: a detailed analysis
• Nutritional modifications during the COVID-19 pandemic
• The justifications behind people’s dietary restrictions
• Omega 3 fatty acids
• Essential components of a nutritious diet?
• Eating habits versus exercise for good weight management
• Describe the advantages of breastfeeding for babies.
• Techniques for enhancing physical fitness while consuming fewer calories
• Herbal supplementation in the body: a detailed study
• Nutritional control of aging
• The role of nutrition in gerontology

Clinical Nutrition Topics for Research

Dear readers, these below given clinical nutrition topics for research might serve as your research paper help in your research. Explore each topic in the list below and select the topic that suits best your interest:

• Introduction to clinical nutrition and dietetics
• Recent advances in clinical nutrients
• COVID-19 and nutrition
• Dieticians’ Implicit Association Test for Fat People and Thin People to Assess Obesity Bias
• Drug and enzyme interactions in pharmacology
• Digestive system disorders
• An analysis of body composition measurements for health evaluation
• Review of Health Literacy and Nutrition Education’s Relationship
• Heart health and cardiovascular disorders
• Food- and nutrition-related myths and misunderstandings
• How micro-nutrients affect general health
• How macro-nutrients affect public health
• The impact of both passive and active lifestyles on overall health
• Skeletal Muscle Mass Ratio as a Measure of Sarcopenia in Type 2 Diabetic Patients
• A dietician’s perceived professionalism is unaffected by their appearance or white coat: a critical overview
• Body Composition Measured by Three Different Techniques Is Unaffected by a Small Food or Fluid Load

Health and Nutrition Research Paper Topics

Health and clinical research topics are extremely popular among students throughout the world. The  experts at Edumagnate.com  have cautiously gathered every topic in this below-provided list. If you are interested in studying more about this subject, we are sure these interesting nutrition topics for research papers would help you.

• The importance of healthy diets for treating mental health disorders
• Obesity prevention via smart food policies
• The pharmacological interaction between enzymes and medicines
• The importance of micro- and macro-nutrients in general health
• The most effective supplements for combat athletes’ bone and ligament health
• Investigate the health advantages of non-digestible substances.
• The significance of food for treating cognitive and brain power
• Binge eating in children and adolescents
• Is Weight Watchers a worthwhile program?
• Investigate the factors that contribute to weight gain in college students.
• How did the Paleo diet gain popularity?
• The effects of malnutrition.
• What is the yo-yo effect, and how does it function?
• Should we trust the “breakfast myth”?
• What is the cause of celiac disease?
• Why are Northern Europeans less likely than those from the Global South to be lactose intolerant?
• Chronic illnesses and good eating habits
• Why is sugar the leading cause of a wide range of health problems?
• Cost-effective alternatives to nutritious organic foods.
• The importance of diet in determining the body’s immunity
• The impact of chronic conditions on nutritional health
• The relevance of digestive health in dietary policy formulation

Research Topics in Nutrition Science

Depending on your interest, nutrition science can be both challenging and interesting. The central objective of nutrition science is to gather evidence that showcases how numerous eating behaviors impact human health. It entails studying different elements of food on chemical, biological, and physical levels. You can also consider reading our previous blogs on  chemistry research topics  and tweaking them according to your requirements. Nevertheless, let’s first dive deeper into the list of these enticing research topics in nutrition science.

• Exploring the science behind the dietary guidelines for female
• Filling the bridge between infantile brain development and food intake
• Is every calorie created equally?
• Microbiology’s function in food science
• A detailed study on the  d ietary supplements
• Go over the advantages and disadvantages of enriched commercial bread.
• Examine the procedure for obtaining plant oil.
• Do nutrients vanish when something is heated up?
• Are GM crops harmful?
• Describe the distinction between fortifying and enriching.
• How does food science help older people consume better food?
• How are enzymes used in the food industry?
• What elements affect someone’s capacity to adhere to a certain diet?
• How is space food produced?
• National food policy: a detailed analysis
• The preventive features of individualized nutrition
• What effects does food have on your immune system?
• Describe the technologies that are employed to guarantee food safety.
• What is the influence of dietary factors on getting rid of cancer?
• A critical review of the history and future of food irradiation

Nutritional Research Topics for Eating Disorders

Consider reading about these nutrition research topics on eating disorders, and we’re sure you’ll like it:

• What is binge eating?
• Cardiovascular symptoms affect the patterns of habitual coffee consumption.
• Analyze the harmful stereotypes surrounding eating disorders.
• Causes of disordered eating habits
• Exploring childhood obesity in the 21st century
• Studies Linking Processed Meat, Unprocessed Red Meat, Poultry, or Fish Consumption to Cardiovascular Disease Incidence
• Why are female athletes at high risk for eating disorders?
• A critical analysis of food insecurity in the Bronx
• Risk factors associated with childhood obesity
• How can the government tackle obesity cases in rural areas?
• What are the various forms of treatment for eating disorders?
• Ways to prevent eating disorders in preteens
• Discuss the relationship between Smoking and weight.
• Understanding anorexia nervosa as an eating disorder
• Etiology of eating disorders
• The role of hunger in anorexia
• How do eating disorders affect one’s mental health?
• Exploring the impact of food insecurity among the youth

The Bottom Line

The nutrition research topics will help you systematically craft your entire research paper. You can choose any of the aforementioned topics and provide a unique angle that has never been explored. Before writing a research paper , narrow down a few relevant topics and research each. When you’ve researched those topics, you’ll have an idea of what topic you want to study, and once you’ve outlined your key points, you can move on to the writing process. Thus, consider reading the entire article so you don’t miss any essential topics.

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Editorial article, editorial: nurturing sustainable nutrition through innovations in food science and technology.

• 1 Unit of General Pathology and Physiopathology, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, San Luigi Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
• 2 Soremartec Ferrero Group, Alba, Italy
• 3 Pediatric Intermediate Care Unit, IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
• 4 Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
• 5 Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

Editorial on the Research Topic Nurturing sustainable nutrition through innovations in food science and technology

Introduction

Nutrition Science and Food Science and Technology (FS&T) are at the heart of disruptive evolutionary processes, and exponential progresses in science, health, innovation and digital technology. Suitable knowledge of these advances is still evolving. Hence, a paradigm shift and novel curricula are required. Such an attempt was made in the 2020/21 International Master Michele Ferrero 8th edition program offered by the Ferrero Foundation and Soremartec in collaboration with the University of Turin and the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan. A series of nine-webinars by more than 30 invited eminent scientists and key industrial leaders was tailored-made, offering a wide spectrum of the state of the art knowledge and views.

This Research Topic directly stems from the 8th Master edition, with a Research Topic of papers comprehensively covering all FS&T-related key and novel topics elaborated during the Course. In light of the plethora of reviews published on the selected topics, challenging to read and digest by many practitioners, special efforts have been placed on offering concise yet comprehensive contributions.

a. Position paper

“ A need for a paradigm shift in healthy nutrition research ” by Aleta et al. .

Research in sustainable and healthy nutrition requires the application of the latest advances in seemingly unrelated domains, such as complex systems and network sciences on one hand and big data and artificial intelligence on the other. Focusing here primarily on nutrition and health, the methodological changes needed to open current disciplinary boundaries to the methods, languages, and knowledge of the digital age are discussed, laying the groundwork for the development of a systems thinking approach. Specifically, a paradigm shift is required toward adoption of interdisciplinary, complex-systems-based research to tackle the immense challenges required for dealing with an evolving interdependent multiple scale systems. The latter are ranging from the metabolome to the population level, heterogeneous and more often than not contained incomplete data. Also, population changes subject to many behavioral and environmental pressures. To illustrate the importance of this methodological innovation, the paper focuses on the consumption aspects of nutrition rather than production. Nevertheless, the importance of system-wide studies that involve both these components of nutrition are recognized. Specific research directions that would make it possible to find new correlations and, possibly, causal relationships across scales, and in addition, answering pressing questions in the area of sustainable and healthy nutrition are furnished.

b. Perspective articles

“ Plant-based: A perspective on nutritional and technological issues. Are we ready for “precision processing?” ” by Menta et al. .

Nutrition science is facing challenging times due to accelerated changes and fast-growing global population in the coming years. Innovation in raw materials, processes, science and digital capabilities seems to be the key to address this new era, and, in this context, a plant-based approach to nutrition could meet the needs of these new challenges. Particular attention is focused on highlighting the differences in quality and functionality of animal and plant proteins, along with a call to unite global efforts and to offer suitable available solutions.

“ Food products and digital tools: The unexpected interconnections ” by Marra .

The current advances and future directions in the use of science-based digital tools in food product design are highlighted, first, an overview of studies exploring food related apps and social media for understanding consumers' perception and preferences, and, second, a discussion on the integration of the derived data. A wider scheme for food product design based on predictive features is needed, using advanced multiscale and hybrid methods. Linking product features with the understanding of consumers' needs and preferences offers significant benefits for start-uppers and researchers who develop tools for reinventing food product design.

c. Mini reviews with a particular focus on :

•  Health and consumers behavior impact

“ Impact of dietary palmitic acid on lipid metabolism ” by Murru et al. .

Palmitic acid (PA) is ubiquitously present in dietary fat guaranteeing the relative high requirement and content in the human body, with a crucial physiological role. Lower placental transfer of PA strongly induces its endogenous biosynthesis from glucose via de novo lipogenesis (DNL), securing a tight homeostatic control of PA tissue concentrations. Unbalanced body composition and reduced physical fitness might be either cause or consequence of DNL. Unbalanced saturated fats/ polyunsaturated fatty acids intake may further impact the energetic and metabolic balance.

“ Dietary fats, human nutrition, and the environment: Balance and sustainability ” by Meijaard et al. .

Optimization of oil or fat choices that most benefit health and the environments in areas where these are produced, is undermined by a significant lack of data. The article reviews current knowledge about the sustainability impacts of oils and fats, focusing the role of biodiversity in their production. Gaps in knowledge and analytical to address them are highlighted.

“ Oxysterols as reliable markers of quality and safety in cholesterol containing food ingredients and products ” by Canzoneri et al. .

Cholesterol is a lipid of functional value that easily undergoes oxidation, leading to a wide variety of cholesterol oxidation products, named oxysterols. Recent research points to oxysterols as highly reliable markers of food quality, before/after industrial processes and storage. Survey of relevant literature highlighted the advantages of quantifying oxysterols as quality markers of food and food ingredients. Further, bioavailability, metabolism, and pathophysiological features of measured oxysterols are fully discussed.

“ A2 milk and BCM-7 peptide as emerging parameters of milk quality ” by Giribaldi et al. .

Due to natural genetic variation, beta-casein (up to ~30% of the total protein) can be present in cows' milk as two distinct forms, A1 or A2 that differ for a single but crucial amino acid substitution. Only in A1 or A1A2 beta-casein containing milk and dairy products, the peptide β-casomorphin-7 (BCM-7) is released upon intestinal digestion. Such BCM-7 release has been associated with inflammatory disturbances of the gastrointestinal tract with alteration of the gut microbiota. The health ramifications of milk containing A2 β-casein subtype are highlighted.

“ Evolution of milk consumption and its psychological determinants ” by Castellini and Graffigna .

The food industry has developed new products in order to respond to consumer's needs and expectations, in spite of Institutional recommendations. The widespread consumption of lactose-free products (LFP) is therefore unjustified considering either the scientific evidence and the consumers' perspective. The review highlights the research findings related to the motives and psychological factors mainly influencing consumers to prefer LFP.

“ Milk: A scientific model for diet and health research in the twenty-first century ” by German et al. .

Milk's glycans highlight the Darwinian pressure on lactation as a complete, nourishing and protective diet. These polysaccharides reach undigested the lower intestine where bacteria compete to release the monosaccharides and ferment them. B. infantis , is uniquely equipped with a repertoire of genes encoding enzymes capable of metabolizing the complex glycans of human milk. The intestinal microbiome dominated by B. infantis , shields the infant from the growth of enteropathogens and their endotoxins as a clear health benefit. The paper highlights how scientists should guide the future of agriculture and food in response to twenty-first century challenges to produce a food supply at the same time nourishing, safe and sustainable. Lactation provides an inspiring model of what future research strategy could be.

• Sensory cues and taste

“ Influence of sensory properties in moderating eating behaviors and food intake ” by Forde and de Graaf .

An overview of recent findings and opportunities to use foods' sensory properties as a “functional” component that may help promoting healthier eating habits while maintaining eating pleasure. Addressing the serious public health challenges posed by the modern food environment will require changes in food formulation and intake behavior. The utilization of foods sensory properties may support healthier food choices and intakes while suggesting a better management of chronic conditions such as obesity and type-2 diabetes.

“ Extra-oral taste receptors: function, disease, and perspectives ” by Behrens and Lang .

A brief introduction into human taste perception, receptive molecules and signal transduction is highlighted. The five basic taste qualities (i.e., salty, sour, sweet, umami, and bitter) provide important information on the energy content, the concentration of electrolytes and the presence of potentially harmful components in food items. Taste receptors in the gastrointestinal tract, participate in a variety of bioprocesses with meaningful effects on health too. Accordingly, complex selective forces may have contributed to shape taste receptors during evolution.

• Microbiome studies

“ Diet and gut microbiome and the “chicken or egg” problem ” by Daniel .

A concise and provocative scientific argument for a more comprehensive assessment of the individual's intestinal phenotype in microbiome studies to resolve the “chicken or egg” problem that has emerged from observational studies on functional effects is provided. It highlights that quantity and quality of the intestinal and fecal microbiome vary considerably between individuals and are dependent on a wide spectrum of intrinsic and/or environmental factors.

Controversial aspects of the modern food era: Processes, dietary impact, and nutritional recommendations

“ Food innovation in the frame of circular economy by designing ultra-processed foods optimized for sustainable nutrition ” by Capozzi .

Circular economy emerges as a crucial driving force considering the future predicted world population growth. It highlights the necessity for finding the resources essential to produce food in sufficient quantity and quality, looking for sustainable sources, while trying to exploit all the value obtainable from raw materials. Nutritional studies will stimulate the selection of sources richer in nutrients and bioactive molecules. The assessment of the quality and safety of functional foods based on ingredients derived from food waste requires a more robust validation by means of the food-omics approach, which considers not only the composition of the final products but also the structural characterization of the matrix, as the bioaccessibility and the bioavailability of nutrients are strictly dependent on the functional characteristics of the innovative ingredients. This new approach offers a new avenue to assess relationships between circular economy and UPFs. Suitable solutions are proposed, analyzed, and discussed.

“ Integrating dietary impacts in food life cycle assessment ” by Jolliet .

Food production and food consumption have been too long studied separately. The review highlights how nutrition affects human health and states that environmental impacts of the entire food production and consumption can and should be consistently and systematically assessed, on a life cycle-based and a health-based perspective. The review also provides a novel approach to calculate the Health Nutrient Index score expressed in minutes (gained/lost) of healthy life per serving. This integration combined with utilization of Big Data and machine learning methods will help reporting interactions among healthy and sustainable foods.

“ Dietary patterns vs. dietary recommendations ” by De Cosm et al. .

The classic views of nutrient-based healthy recommendations should today be replaced by the holistic view of “whole food form” patterns, epidemiologically connected to indices of human health. The Mediterranean, New Nordic and Japanese diets, respectively, offer three possible paradigms of this novel approach.

The program of the Master Degree in “Innovation in Food Science and Technology—Michele Ferrero” focused on innovation, as a key characteristic of food system, sustainable nutrition, and personalized health and nutrition. A multidisciplinary approach and international perspective characterized the teaching activities. This unique collaboration between Academia and Industry should serve as a model highlighting a new mindset. The “old normal” pre COVID-19 has been disrupted, while embracing the “new normal” becoming the only way forward. Facilitating new mindset and leading future innovation processes, strategic considerations, and developing new partnerships are paramount. Program like the one offered by the Ferrero Foundation is paramount and a significant bridge and a platform in pursuing future challenges.

Author contributions

IS, GP, and CA: conceptualization. IS and GP: writing—original draft preparation. IS, GP, CA, and MC: writing—review and editing. All authors contributed to the article and approved the submitted version.

Acknowledgments

The guest editors would like to express their deep appreciation and gratitude to the Ferrero Foundation and the Ferrero Group for covering all the publication fees and other related expenses. To the authors participating in the webinar program and for their endless efforts in preparing all the manuscripts included herewith. Special thanks are due to Ginevra Rosso for her endless efforts, dedications and contributions, to Aishah Pathak that co-chaired with IS the webinars, and lastly but not the least to the students of the International Master Michele Ferrero Master 8th edition program (2020/21) for their insights and feedbacks.

Conflict of interest

The guest editors declare that this Research Topic received limited partial founding from Soremartec Italia Srl. GP, IS, and CA were involved in Master Michele Ferrero academic course and webinars and received limited partial funding from Fondazione Piera, Pietro e Giovanni Ferrero and Soremartec Italia S.r.l. MC is an employee of Soremartec Italia S.r.l.

Publisher's note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Keywords: nutrition and sustainability, innovation, palm oil, milk, oxysterols, ultra-processed foods, sensory, microbiome

Citation: Poli G, Charron M, Agostoni C and Saguy IS (2022) Editorial: Nurturing sustainable nutrition through innovations in food science and technology. Front. Nutr. 9:999055. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2022.999055

Received: 20 July 2022; Accepted: 22 July 2022; Published: 09 August 2022.

Edited and reviewed by: Elena Ibañez , Institute of Food Science Research (CSIC), Spain

Copyright © 2022 Poli, Charron, Agostoni and Saguy. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) . The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

*Correspondence: Giuseppe Poli, giuseppe.poli@unito.it ; I. Sam Saguy, saguy2011@yahoo.com

This article is part of the Research Topic

Nurturing Sustainable Nutrition Through Innovations in Food Science and Technology

August 1, 2022

Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition

Through the work of AIFS-funded researchers, a newly published review study on "A Perspective on Data Sharing in Digital Food Safety Systems"

"The challenges associated with sharing of food safety data in the food industry and solutions involving algorithms" was recently published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition . We are excited to recognize the work of Renata Ivanek-Miojevic, Martin Wiedmann, and Qing Zhao.

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What the data says about food stamps in the U.S.

One component of the  recent deal to raise the federal debt limit and cut government spending  is additional work requirements for certain people who receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program , or SNAP – commonly known as food stamps.

The food stamp program is one of the larger federal social welfare initiatives, and in its current form has been around for nearly six decades. But many misconceptions remain about the program and how it works. (For one thing, no actual stamps are involved.) Here’s a closer look at the food stamp program, based on data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Census Bureau and other sources.

The Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as the food stamp program, is back in the news amid recent changes enacted as part of a debt ceiling deal between President Joe Biden and House Republicans. With that in mind, we thought it was time to take an in-depth look at the program.

Our main data source was the  Food and Nutrition Service , the agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that administers SNAP and other food assistance programs. We supplemented the FNS data with data from the Census Bureau’s  Survey of Income and Program Participation , which focuses on the demographic and other characteristics of people and households who receive various forms of federal assistance. We also used the Census Bureau’s population and household estimates in some of our analyses. Finally, we obtained government expenditure data for other federal assistance programs from the  Office of Management and Budget .

How many Americans use food stamps?

The numbers vary from month to month. But in April 2023, the most recent month with available figures, 41.9 million people in 22.2 million households received SNAP benefits. That translates to 12.5% of the total U.S. population.

On average, 41.2 million people in 21.6 million households received monthly SNAP benefits in the 2022 fiscal year, which ran from October 2021 through September 2022.

The program operates in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and the Virgin Islands. A separate nutrition assistance program covers Puerto Rico, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands.

How has the number of food stamp recipients changed over time?

The current food stamp program began in 1964 but took several years to ramp up. It wasn’t until July 1974 that states – which share administrative duties over the program with the federal government – were required to extend it to all jurisdictions within their borders. That year, 12.9 million people, or 6.0% of the total U.S. population at the time, received SNAP benefits.

Total participation has ebbed and flowed over the ensuing decades, driven both by economic conditions and changes in eligibility rules. Between fiscal years 1980 and 2008, the share of all U.S. households receiving SNAP benefits oscillated between about 7% and about 11%. But that percentage rose rapidly during the Great Recession and peaked at 18.8% in fiscal 2013 – representing 23.1 million households, or 47.6 million people.

In March 2020, as the nation headed into COVID-19 lockdowns, Congress authorized  extra SNAP benefits for recipients and suspended work and training requirements  for the duration of the declared public health emergency. The number of recipients immediately jumped from 37.2 million in March 2020 to 40.9 million one month later, and topped out in September 2020 at just over 43 million recipients, or 13% of the resident population.

Who is eligible for food stamps?

In general, a household qualifies for the program if it has a gross monthly income at or below 130% of the federal poverty level as well as a net monthly income at or below 100% of the federal poverty level. For a family of four in 2023, this works out to $3,007 in gross monthly income and $2,313 in net monthly income. (These limits are higher in Alaska and Hawaii .)

Households with older people (defined as ages 60 and older) or people with disabilities only have to meet the net income requirement. And households of all types are limited in how much they can have in cash, investments and other assets and still qualify for SNAP.

In addition, households receiving other types of aid, such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), may be eligible for SNAP automatically.

States have  a certain amount of latitude  in how they administer the SNAP program. For example, they can decide how broadly to extend its benefits to people receiving other TANF-funded benefits, whether to count vehicles as household assets, and whether to count child support payments as income. In addition, there are somewhat different eligibility rules for Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the Virgin Islands.

What, if any, work requirements are there for receiving food stamps?

In general, most Americans ages 16 to 59 who aren’t disabled must register with their state SNAP agency or employment office; meet any work, job search or job training requirements set by their state; accept a suitable job if one is offered to them; and work at least 30 hours a week. Failure to comply with those rules can disqualify people from getting SNAP benefits.

In addition, nondisabled adults without dependents must either work or participate in a work program for 80 hours a month, or participate in a state workfare program. If they fail to do so, they can only receive SNAP benefits for three months out of any 36-month period. Until recently, this additional work requirement applied to people ages 18 to 49. The debt limit deal recently enacted raises the maximum age to 54 , a change that will be phased in over three years starting in October. The new law also exempts veterans, homeless people and young adults aging out of foster care from all work requirements.

What do we know about food stamp recipients in the U.S.?

The most comprehensive data source we have is the Census Bureau’s  Survey of Income and Program Participation , although its most recent data is from 2020. That year, 23.6 million SNAP recipients (63%) were adults, and 13.8 million (36%) were children.

Non-Hispanic White people accounted for 44.6% of adult SNAP recipients and 31.5% of child recipients in 2020. About 27% of both adult and child recipients were Black. Hispanic people, who can be of any race, accounted for 21.9% of adult recipients and 35.8% of child recipients.

The vast majority of both adult and child recipients were born in the United States – 82.3% and 97.1%, respectively.

Among adult recipients, 62.4% had a high school diploma or less education in 2020. And despite the program’s work requirements, 61.6% said they had not been employed at all that year.

The Census Bureau also looked at households where at least one person received SNAP benefits. More than six-in-ten of these households (61.7%) reported having no children in 2020, including 34.4% who were people living alone. More than 40% of SNAP-receiving households were in the South, the highest percentage of any region.

How much do food stamp recipients get each month?

In April 2023, the national average benefit was $181.72 per person and $343.00 per household. That was a sharp drop from February’s averages ($245.44 per person, $464.36 per household), reflecting the expiration of the extra benefits put in place during the pandemic .

The nationwide averages conceal a considerable amount of state-by-state variation. SNAP beneficiaries in New York received an average of $212.09 per person in April 2023, while recipients in Oklahoma got $127.32. (These rankings exclude Alaska, Hawaii, the Virgin Islands and Guam, which have a different scale to reflect higher food costs in those places.)

Why do benefits vary so much by state? One reason is that benefit amounts are largely determined by recipients’ income, minus certain expenses. Household size also factors into the calculation. So a state’s demographics and the condition of its economy will influence how much its residents can receive through SNAP.

The maximum amount of SNAP benefits is based on the  Thrifty Food Plan , an estimate by the U.S. Department of Agriculture of how much it costs to buy groceries needed to provide a “nutritious, practical, cost-effective diet” for a family of two adults and two children. That amount is adjusted for other household types when determining benefit levels. The Thrifty Food Plan was updated in 2021 for the first time in 15 years and is scheduled to be re-evaluated again in 2026.

Which states have the highest and lowest rates of food stamp usage?

In New Mexico, 22.9% of the population receives SNAP benefits – the highest of any state, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of SNAP recipient figures and Census Bureau population estimates for July 2022, the most recent available. The District of Columbia is next-highest at 21.4%, followed by Oregon at 17.8% and West Virginia at 17.7%. (We excluded the Virgin Islands and Guam from this analysis because the Census Bureau doesn’t have 2022 population estimates for them. But using 2020 census counts instead would give them rates of 23.8% and 23.6%, respectively.)

Utah has the nation’s lowest rate of SNAP use: Just 4.6% of Beehive State residents get the benefits, according to our analysis. Other states with low rates include New Hampshire (5.0%), Wyoming (5.1%) and North Dakota (5.8%).

What can you buy with food stamps? What can’t you buy?

SNAP benefits can be used to buy  most groceries for household use , including breads and pastries; meats, poultry and fish (but not, in most cases, live animals and birds); fruits and vegetables; dairy products, including ice cream; and snack foods such as cookies, cakes and soft drinks. Recipients can also use SNAP benefits to buy plants and seeds to grow food for the household, but not (for example) non-edible flowers.

Alcoholic beverages and tobacco products cannot be bought with SNAP benefits, nor can nutritional supplements, medicines or pet food. Foods that are sold hot (think rotisserie chickens or ready-to-eat soups) aren’t eligible either, nor are household goods such as paper towels, cleaning products and toiletries. Gasoline isn’t eligible either.

Where can people use food stamps? Where do they use them most frequently?

More than 254,000 establishments accepted SNAP benefits in fiscal year 2021, but two types stand out: Supermarkets and “superstores” such as Walmart and Target together make up about 15% of SNAP-accepting establishments, but they accounted for nearly 80% of all redemptions.

By comparison, more than 44% of all SNAP-accepting establishments are convenience stores, but they accounted for only about 5% of redemptions in 2021. Notably, while only 89 internet retailers, such as Amazon, were authorized to accept SNAP benefits that year, they accounted for nearly 4% of redemptions.

How much does the federal government spend on food stamps each year?

In fiscal 2022, the government spent $119.4 billion on SNAP. Some $113.9 billion went to benefits while $5.5 billion went to administrative and other expenses. Through the first seven months of fiscal 2023 – that is, October 2022 through April 2023 – the government spent almost $70 billion on benefits alone, 2.8% more than during the corresponding period in fiscal 2022.

SNAP is one of the largest federal social welfare programs in terms of cost. For comparison, in fiscal 2022, the federal government spent $747.2 billion on Medicare, $591.9 billion on Medicaid, $161.2 billion on veterans’ benefits, $58.8 billion on Supplemental Security Income and $33.1 billion on unemployment compensation.

How has the cost of the food stamp program changed over time?

SNAP is an  entitlement program , which means spending on it rises and falls based primarily on how many people qualify for benefits (but also through changes in its authorizing legislation). Adjusted for inflation, annual spending on SNAP followed a regular pattern from the late 1970s to 2008: It fell to around $30 billion a year during strong economic times and rose during and immediately after recessions ­– at times reaching $50 billion.

The Great Recession changed that pattern, perhaps permanently. Spending on SNAP jumped as the economy sank, but it kept rising even as the “recovery” began, topping out at about $103 billion in inflation-adjusted dollars in fiscal 2013. Spending on the program then fell slowly, until the COVID-19 pandemic upended the U.S. economy. SNAP spending soared from $91.8 billion in fiscal 2020 to $127.6 billion in fiscal 2021, and fell back only slightly last year.

Why are they called “food stamps,” anyway?

The  precursor to the modern SNAP program , which began in 1939 and ran until 1943, did use actual stamps. Besides feeding the hungry, the program was designed to aid farmers struggling with surplus crops they couldn’t sell profitably.

People receiving public assistance could buy orange stamps that were exchangeable, dollar for dollar, for most food items at grocery stores. For every dollar participants spent on orange stamps, they also received 50 cents’ worth of blue stamps, which could be spent only on USDA-designated surplus commodities such as beans, eggs, dairy products, fruits and vegetables. Over the program’s lifespan, approximately 20 million people received food stamps at one time or another, at a total cost of $262 million.

The U.S. entry into World War II put an end to the first food stamp program, as the war effort absorbed both farm and labor surpluses. But the concept stuck in people’s heads, and when it was revived in 1964 as part of President Lyndon Johnson’s “War on Poverty,” it was formally named the Food Stamp Program. But instead of stamps, beneficiaries purchased multicolored “food coupons” that could be used much like cash. The purchase requirement was eliminated in 1977, benefits began to be widely delivered by debit card in the 1990s, and by 2004 the paper coupons had gone the way of the blue and orange stamps. The program was renamed SNAP in 2008.

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3 in 5 parents play short order cook for young children who don't like family meal

While most parents of preschool and elementary aged children strive to give their children a balanced, nutritional diet, some of their strategies to promote healthy eating may backfire, a national poll suggests.

One in eight parents require children to eat everything on their plate, according to the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health. And while just one in three believe the standard American diet is healthy for kids, few have tried alternative, potentially more nutritional menus at home.

"Feeding young children can be difficult due to general pickiness, hesitancy to try unfamiliar foods and constantly evolving food preferences," said Mott Poll co-director and Mott pediatrician Susan Woolford, M.D.

"The preschool and elementary age is an important time to establish healthy eating patterns. Yet parents' concern about whether their child is eating enough or if they're getting the nutrients they need may lead them to adopt practices that actually sabotage their efforts to get kids to have healthy eating habits in the short and long term."

The nationally representative report is based on 1,083 responses of parents of children ages 3-10 surveyed in February.

More on poll findings:

Parents' beliefs on nutritional diets vary

Just a third of parents think the standard American diet is healthy compared to half who seem to rank the Mediterranean higher in nutritional value. Still, few have tried alternative diets for their child.

"Parents may recognize the standard diet in the U.S. includes high amounts of saturated fats, added sugars, sodium, and refined carbohydrates, which can generate an excess intake of calories beyond nutritional needs and contribute to health problems," Woolford said.

"However, despite this recognition and evidence suggesting that other diet options may help avoid many illnesses, only about 9% have tried the Mediterranean diet for their children and fewer have tried giving their children a vegetarian diet."

Parents should ensure children are still getting adequate nutrition if they do try diets that eliminate certain food categories, she adds. Diets that limit animal products, for example, will require alternative protein sources such as meat substitutes, tofu, or legumes for children.

And while ketogenic diets have become popular among adults, they are generally not appropriate for children.

Family dining rules may promote or hinder a child's healthy diet

Fifteen percent of parents say their family rule is that kids finish what's on their plate, while more than half say children must try some of everything and a little less than a third say no to dessert if meals go unfinished.

But parents who try to force kids to eat may encourage portions that go beyond feeling full, Woolford cautions.

"Requiring children to eat everything on their plate, or withholding dessert unless all other foods are eaten, can lead to overconsumption, especially if portion sizes are too large for the child's age," she said.

She agrees with the recommendation that "parents provide, and the child decides." This makes parents responsible for providing healthy options while allowing children to select which foods they will eat and the amount they want to consume.

Parents often play personal chef

Sixty percent of parents will make something separate if their child doesn't like the food that's on the dinner table -- and this often leads to a less healthy alternative, Woolford says.

"Rather than allowing the child to choose an alternate menu, parents should provide a balanced meal with at least one option that their child is typically willing to eat," she said.

"Then if their child chooses not to eat, parents should not worry as this will not cause healthy children any harm and they will be more likely to eat the options presented at the next meal."

She points out that children learn through watching and imitating, so it's beneficial for parents to model healthy eating through a well-balanced diet while their child's eating habits and taste preferences mature.

Avoiding snacks between meals may also help children have a better appetite and increase willingness to eat offered foods.

Picky eating and protesting veggies among biggest battles

Parents describe their biggest challenges with making sure their child gets a healthy diet as the child being a picky eater, the higher cost of healthy food and food waste. Fewer say they don't have time to prepare healthy food.

Nearly all parents polled report trying at least one strategy to get their child to eat vegetables as part of a healthy diet, such as serving vegetables every day, fixing vegetables how their child prefers, trying vegetables their child hasn't had before and letting children pick out vegetables at the grocery store.

Others involve children with preparing the vegetables, hide vegetables in other foods or offer a reward for finishing vegetables.

"Unsurprisingly, parents said pickiness and getting kids to eat veggies were among major challenges during mealtimes," Woolford said.

"Parents should try to include children in meal decisions, avoid pressuring food consumption and provide a variety of healthy options at each meal so kids feel more control."

Right sizing food may be difficult

Portion size is key to mitigating the risk of childhood obesity, but it can be hard for parents to "right-size" a child portion.

In determining portion size for their child, nearly 70% of parents polled give their child slightly less than adults in the family while fewer let their child choose how much to take, use predetermined portions from the package or give their child the same portions as adults.

Woolford recommends parents seek sources to help. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, for example, provides a visual called "MyPlate" that can help parents estimate the recommended balance of the major food groups and offers guidance on estimating portion size.

Healthy eating starts at the grocery store

When grocery shopping or planning meals, parents polled say they try to limit the amount of certain foods to help their child to maintain a healthy diet, with more than half limiting foods with added sugars and processed foods.

But it may be difficult to identify unhealthy food. Added sugars or processing may be present in foods marketed or packaged as healthy, Woolford says.

Parents should read labels, avoiding the marketing on the front of packages and focusing instead on the details on the back. They should pay particular attention to nutrition information and ingredient lists -- especially if they're long with unrecognizable items -- as well as sodium, added sugars, and fat.

Woolford also encourages involving children in grocery trips, spending time in the produce section and asking them what they may like to try.

"Have them help in the process of choosing the healthiest options, not ones that necessarily directly advertise to children, but foods that they are willing to try that are lower in sugar, fat and salt," she said.

"Spend most of the time in the produce section and try to make it fun by maybe selecting new options from different parts of the world that they haven't tried before."

• Diet and Weight Loss
• Children's Health
• Staying Healthy
• Food and Agriculture
• Mating and Breeding
• Healthy diet
• Food groups
• Atkins Diet
• Malnutrition
• Child abuse
• Growth hormone treatment

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Materials provided by Michigan Medicine - University of Michigan . Original written by Beata Mostafavi. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

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