Research and development of plant-derived nutrient blends

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Fortified foods and food supplements could help address a number of key health and environmental issues, including obesity, malnutrition and food waste, however, all current leading brands contain synthetic nutrients, about which not enough is currently known.Increasing reliance on synthetic nutrients presents a growing need to understand the health implications of synthetic vs plant-derived nutrition, to enable better decision making by food manufacturers, health bodies and individuals, with far reaching potential health and environmental benefits.Synthetic nutrients are isolated, lab-made analogues which are similar but not identical to natural equivalents, which in their isolated form, lack the synergistic compounds and cofactors which are naturally present with plant-derived nutrients. Existing studies indicate that synthetics may be less bioavailable and less effective than natural nutrients (for example: _1, Chen, F et al. Association Among Dietary Supplement Use, Nutrient Intake, and Mortality Among U.S. Adults. Annals of Internal Medicine. 5/2019\. 2_), but there is limited research assessing the effects on health of synthetic v natural nutrients incorporated in foods, over time, as they are consumed by the public.BIOVIT will carry out research into the differences between synthetic and natural nutrients, in terms of bioavailability and effectiveness, when consumed as they are by the public, within food, such as nutrition shakes.This project will deliver the following outputs:1. Literature review of existing research on natural v synthetic nutrients.2. Planning and a pilot study and subsequent clinical study.3. Completing a pilot study, assessing relative bioavailability and efficacy of plant-derived vs synthetic nutrients.4. Based on project research findings, development of new BIOVIT products.5. Increased public awareness and understanding of effects of synthetic vs plant-derived nutritions.6. Help enable better nutrition choices.