£3.7 million for diet and health research

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the Medical Research Council (MRC) and a consortium of 14 food and drink companies have announced funding of £3.7 million for diet and health research.

The funding will support six research projects aiming to improve the understanding between diet and health; and help the development of new products address diet-related health issues. BBSRC Executive Director, Dr Celia Caulcott said: “Our health is closely linked to our diet and is important to us individually as well as to society and our economy as a whole.

“These projects will conduct valuable research to address important challenges for industry and consumers that can be translated into real benefits for all.”

The projects will not only focus on new ways to reduce levels of saturated fats, sugar and salt in foods but also on the human metabolic processes and ways to encourage healthy portion control.

Professor Judy Buttriss, Director General of the British Nutrition Foundation said: “All six have the potential to produce important results that could deliver real benefit to the health and wellbeing of consumers in the UK, and around the world.”