Trends: Neurodegenerative Disease Prevention Via Nutrition
Through 2024 there will be an overall focus on longevity and aging from consumers that we haven’t seen in the market before. Cognitive development of seniors and minors alike has come to the forefront of society, and as food scientists/product developers we have found ways to use additives to add longevity to consumers' lives. Today I wanted to get into the focus of precision nutrition and how it will affect formulations to hit the markets in 2024.
Mycoproteins, choline and seaweed are leading the way in managing brain health, focus and memory retention. These are grouped into a category called “nootropics” which has formally been seen as a “drug” category, but as we see there is a need for another category in food. Nootropics seek to improve focus in daily lives as well as mental energy and problem solving skills.
Mycoproteins are a sustainable protein that comes from fungi and mushrooms. This aerobic microfungus converts carbohydrates into proteins. Once cooked, chilled or frozen, the final stages of production give mycoprotein very similar protein structures as that of chicken. These additives have been integral in improving cognitive function. Essential amino acids, fibers and fats in the microproteins are used freely by the brain during mental development. Companies have been using mushroom additives in yogurts, beverages and they have become an integral part of the “faux meat” movement adding in umami and protein percentages to formulas.
For more information on mycoproteins here is a great journal: Mycoprotein: Nutritional and Health Properties : Nutrition Today (lww.com)
Another item we discussed above is the addition of choline to certain formulas. How does choline work and process in the body? Here is a quick excerpt from The National Library of Medicine:
“Choline, an essential dietary nutrient for humans, is required for the synthesis of the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, the methyl group donor, betaine, and phospholipids; and therefore, choline is involved in a broad range of critical physiological functions across all stages of the life cycle”
Other biological effects of choline include birth effects, neurodevelopment and cognition alterations
Finding the bridge to stop negative cognitive alterations is a fascinating topic and one of my favorites to study. Neurodegenerative diseases have a stigma as being a boogeyman, and seemingly unstoppable in nature. The closer we can bridge the gap and find more information it will greatly increase the life of our society .
Choline is abundantly natural in eggs, offal meat, shiitake mushrooms, soybeans, cruciferous vegetables and many more.
Seaweed is popping up everywhere in grocery stores and I would dare to say will be one of the top trends of 2024. Seaweed and edible marine algae are incredibly rich in bioactive/bioavailable compounds and proteins. These items also contain many necessary minerals, polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants.
Marine algae comes in a variety of powders that can easily be added to food with no bitter/unwanted flavors
Have we figured out how to live forever? No. Have we figured out how to stop Alzheimers, MS, Parkinson’s and dementia? Not quite. But what we are figuring out as a society is that in order to push the human race further we need to find a way to keep our brain’s healthier for longer. It will be interesting to see the generation of individuals brought up on brain healthy products and how society will shift as a whole in the next decades.
This is another incredibly broad topic and there are obviously more players involved than the three main points discussed above, but I believe this will provide a good base of information for professionals and consumers to keep in mind! Another useful term and group of items to look into is also “Nutraceuticals”, or food products that have health benefits beyond nutrition.
Do a puzzle this weekend!
Stephen
Website: chefstephenhanyzewski.com
Instagram: @chefstephenhanyzewski
