EIT Food brings together European experts to shape the future of nutrition across the human life course
By 2050, one in three Europeans will be over 60 and food systems must adapt to support healthier ageing.
The Healthy Ageing Think & Do Tank, led by EIT Food, unites 45 experts from 15 countries to tackle the challenge. Together, they will collaborate to drive innovation and develop solutions that support healthier ageing through food.
The initiative connects science, innovation and policy to ensure food supports wellbeing in every stage of life.
As Europe’s population continues to age rapidly, EIT Food is leading a major effort to explore how nutrition can support longer, healthier lives. EIT Food is supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union.
The Healthy Ageing Think & Do Tank brings together researchers, food innovators, health professionals and policy experts from across the continent to address one of the most pressing and overlooked issues of our time: how food systems can adapt to the evolving needs throughout the ageing process.
Created in 2024 and coordinated by EIT Food, this independent group develops practical, science-based solutions to promote wellbeing, prevent diet-related diseases, and empower people to maintain autonomy and dignity as they move through different life stages
“The European population is ageing rapidly, and this brings both challenges and unique opportunities,”
“By combining culture, science and community, food innovation can play a pivotal role in supporting healthier lives across all stages of ageing. The Healthy Ageing Think & Do Tank is committed to fostering solutions that benefit society as a whole.”
A growing demographic with growing needs
By 2030, one in six people worldwide will be aged 60 years or over. By 2050, this number is expected to double to 2.1 billion, with the number of people aged 80 and older tripling to 426 million. While increased longevity is a societal success, ageing without good health puts enormous pressure on individuals, families, healthcare systems and public budgets.
Poor nutrition is both a cause and a consequence of declining health in later life. Many older adults face barriers to eating well – from affordability and physical limitations to isolation and a lack of products adapted to their needs. Yet research shows that improving nutrition can help prevent or delay many non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, cognitive decline and frailty.
EIT Food recognises that these challenges cannot be solved in silos. They require a coordinated, interdisciplinary effort and that is where the Healthy Ageing Think & Do Tank comes in.
From knowledge to action: how the Think & Do Tank works
The Healthy Ageing Think & Do Tank is an independent group of over 45 experts from 22 institutions across 15 European countries, structured into three thematic working groups:
- Nutrition to prevent non-communicable diseases: developing evidence-based strategies to reduce risk factors through diet.
- Personalised nutrition across the life course: adapting food and nutrition to changing physiological and social needs in ageing.
- Gut health and the microbiome: exploring how probiotics, prebiotics and dietary fibre can support immune and digestive health.
Members come from a diverse range of organisations, including Carbery, Delta Dairy, CSIC, Puratos, San Pablo University, Danone, AZTI, University of Torino, Matís, Cargill, IMDEA Nutrición, Roquette, Austrian Institute of Technology, University of Reading, LESAFFRE, VITAGORA, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research Polish Academy of Science and University of Warsaw.
The Think & Do Tank’s mission is to identify barriers and enablers within the food system, propose policy recommendations, and create roadmaps for action that link scientific evidence with tangible outcomes.
“We are not just discussing ageing, we are co-creating solutions,”
“Our goal is to ensure that food systems are truly inclusive at every stage of life, turning principles into real, tangible actions.”
Giving visibility to solutions
In addition to its research and policy work, the Think & Do Tank is committed to giving visibility to successful innovations and initiatives that are already making a difference. These include:
- Food products and services designed with and for older adults.
- Projects that engage older people as co-creators of change.
- Startups and SMEs working on inclusive food innovation.
- Educational tools and citizen engagement efforts around healthy ageing.
The initiative also emphasises the importance of involving a broad range of stakeholders to create food systems that are adaptive, equitable and supportive of wellbeing throughout life.