Food as Medicine: The concept behind Nourishing Health through Tradition, Technology, and Personalized Nutrition.

Author: 🍃Paula Limena, VP of Marketing Health and Wellness at ADM

"Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food." This ancient wisdom attributed to Hippocrates resonates deeply in our modern world where food plays a pivotal role not just in satisfying hunger but in promoting overall well-being. Today, consumers are embarking on a journey to rediscover and redefine their relationship with food, driven by a quest for health, sustainability, and personal values.

During my own journey in health and wellness, I learned some interesting concepts that I will share in this article, mixing my passion for science,  ingredients, cooking, nature, and farm to table foods. It is in my own life trajectory that I found a passion for understanding the science of oils extraction, ingredients for cooking, the role of home food- and microbiome diversity.

Unveiling New Horizons in Nutrition

Functional Foods: Fueling Health with Fortification

Imagine starting your day with a bowl of a yogurt bowl, that can contribute significant amounts of some essential vitamins and minerals, such as calcium. I usually add granola, that provides me with fiber, a great ally in today’s nutrition talks. These are examples of functional foods that go beyond mere sustenance to provide added health benefits, meeting the demands of convenience without compromising on nutrition.

Embracing Plant-Based Power

The rise of plant-based diets and alternatives to meat underscores a broader shift towards sustainable eating practices. Whether it's soy-based burgers, pea protein shakes, or lentil pasta, plant-powered choices are gaining popularity for their health benefits. They became a trend, and an art: have you tasted plant-based calamari? Can you imagine creating a full charcuterie board that is plant-based? Yes, this is possible nowadays. And delicious.

Personalized Nutrition: Empowering Choices with Data and Devices

In the quest for optimal health, personalized nutrition is becoming increasingly vital. Devices like the Oura Ring, UltraHuman tech, and continuous glucose monitors provide real-time health insights, empowering individuals to make informed dietary decisions based on their unique body responses and health metrics. That is connected to a world of other applications that are full of data, and providing AI guidance on diets, exercise, meditation, and pauses management during the day.

Intentional and Intuitive Diets: Balancing Function with Lifestyle

Today's dietary choices extend beyond nutrition to encompass personal beliefs and values. Whether adopting keto, paleo, veganism, or intermittent fasting, individuals are crafting intentional diets that align with their lifestyles and holistic health goals. Moreover, there’s always an element of curiosity combined with new diet patterns. We usually tend to adapt new and necessary diet habit changes with something that makes us feel at home. The intention portion- which may be a lower cholesterol diet, in order to improve metabolic health, yet the ingredients may be familiar and associated with long life preferences from one’s culture- such as the Mediterranean diet. We are learning how to stop counting calories- indeed, we are counting nutrition quality.

Beyond the Plate: Primary Foods and Cultural Wellness

Exploring global nutrition rituals reveals insights into how different cultures prioritize health through food traditions. I recently learned how North African recipes featuring wholesome ingredients like argan oil, honey and almonds, can empower nutrition and health on a culture that is somehow ruled by a culture of fasting. And how important it is to break fasting in a nutrient dense manner.

Clean and Conscious Choices: A Shift Towards Less Processed Foods

With all the access to information, consumers are increasingly mindful of what goes into their bodies, gravitating towards foods with fewer additives and preservatives. The concept of  “clean label” foods, characterized by minimal processing and natural ingredients, reflects a growing preference for purity and transparency in food choices.

According to a recent report published by Mintel, scrutiny on ultra-processed foods (UPFs) highlights their industrial origins and additive-laden formulations, diverging starkly from “clean label” ideals. This awareness prompts consumers to reconsider their food selections, opting instead for less processed alternatives that prioritize nutritional quality and simplicity. It’s the concept of the industrial revolution- backwards.

The Social Media Wellness Challenge: Discerning Fact from Fiction

In an era inundated with nutrition information on social media and beyond, distinguishing between credible advice and misinformation is crucial. Relying on reputable sources ensures informed dietary decisions that promote health and well-being, safeguarding against misleading trends and unsubstantiated claims. This is the largest challenge that science backed companies have nowadays- to provide accurate information to consumers that can really change their lives for the better.

Conclusion: Food for Thought

The evolution of the concept of food as medicine is a testament to humanity's ongoing quest for health and vitality. By embracing innovation, honoring tradition, and embracing personalized nutrition, individuals can cultivate holistic well-being that nourishes both body and soul. As companies navigate the complexities of modern diets, and nutritional landscapes, let us remember Hippocrates' timeless wisdom and continue to let food be our medicine and medicine be our food- focusing on primary and secondary foods, that are backed by reliable information, we may empower a new generation of consumers to make decisions that will impact the health span of humans- and the life on the planet.

This communication is intended for B2B use and no statements are meant to be perceived as approved by regulatory authorities. Local regulations must be reviewed to confirm permissibility of ingredients and claims for each food category.