Applied nutrition

In this broad field, our research team works with various in-vitro and in-vivo models investigating the following focus areas:

• Preventive action of food and diets against cardiometabolic disorders, and metabolic and/or gut-microbiota related cognitive decline. For this purpose, meal studies and dietary interventions are performed. In-vitro-simulations of the gastrointestinal channel is another research tool. Foods are characterized in terms of nutrient and bioactive components and how these can be improved by choice of raw material and processing conditions.
• Bioaccessibility and bioavailability of nutrients and bioactive compounds, minimizing the antagonistic effects of antinutritional compounds in food through choice of raw materials and processing conditions.  
• Interactions between gut microbiota composition, neuroinflammation, and development of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Using next-generation sequencing of the gut microbiota, we map how the gut microbiota shifts in response to the diet, and thus identify bacteria and foods important for brain health.
• Dietary and microbial effects on regulation of intestinal health and gut-blood barrier functions in relation to luminal food digestibility, nutrients absorption, foods toxicity and immune responses.