Sometimes, all it takes is 30 minutes to learn the ins and outs of new technologies and trends that are transforming the food and beverage industry. In this series, we’ll dig into a food innovation topic and link you to content and resources so you can become a subject matter expert in 30 minutes (or less!).
This week, we’re looking at food as medicine. Beyond its essential role in providing macronutrients, food can be a powerful tool in the prevention and treatment of human diseases and common health ailments. The concept of food as medicine is growing in popularity with consumers, leading innovators to develop software, ingredients, and products that aim to improve health and wellness.
The Overview
Cleveland Clinic - How Nutrigenomics May Impact the Way You Eat
The basics on what nutrigenomics is and how it works.
Dal News – Ask an Expert: What is Functional Food and Why Should Canadians Care?
Food is considered functional if it has benefits for human health beyond nutrition, for example it improves health or reduces the risk of disease.
CFIN – The Future of Food as Medicine in Canada
We asked CFIN’s Dana McCauley, CEO, Alex Barlow, Vice President of Programs, and Lavina Gully, Regional Innovation Director for BC and Yukon, for their views on the future of food as medicine. Read what they had to say.
Forbes - This Diet Is Changing The Way We Think About Nutrition
Artificial Intelligence and machine learning could offer consumers better control over their nutritional health.
The Canadian Connection
In 2023, CFIN ran a food as medicine-themed Innovation Booster funding round. Read more about the eight funded projects here. Other Canadian companies in the space include:
Nutrigenomix – Nutrigenomix Inc. is based in Toronto, ON but is available in more than 40 countries. It provides DNA-based, customized nutrition recommendations for health and wellness, athletic performance and fertility, and includes plant-based nutrition.
Medcan – Toronto’s Medcan is an integrated health and wellness company that uses up to 15 diagnostic tests covering cardiovascular health, cognition, hearing, vision, nutrition and fitness, to create a customized action plan to improve a customer’s lifestyle through food, exercise and supplements.
Social Media
Food as Medicine Global – (LinkedIn) Food as Medicine Global is an international network dedicated to bridging the divide between food and healthcare.
Fresh Prep Foods – (Instagram) Fresh Prep is a Canadian meal delivery company that is developing an AI-powered virtual nutrition advisor to provide personalized nutritional guidance alongside the convenience of meal kit deliveries.
Overtime
If you’ve got more than 30 minutes, these are for you:
YouTube – Personalized Nutrition: Eating Well for Yourself and the Planet
