Next Bite 2024: Healthier Lives Through Food

What if the food you eat could reshape your health, transform the planet, and empower communities?

From groundbreaking microbiome research to leveraging artificial intelligence for personalised nutrition, our panel of experts bring their unique perspectives on the challenges and opportunities in food systems. Together, they paint an exciting picture of a future where technology, collaboration, and creativity converge to revolutionise what and how we eat.

This is your chance to learn how these ideas can impact you personally—your health, your choices, and your role in a more sustainable world. In our final episode coming to you from Next Bite 2024, the Food Fight Podcast explores Healthier Lives Through Food.

Key Learnings:

1. The Microbiome as a Game-Changer

Dr. Grace O’Gorman introduces the microbiome as more than a gut-health buzzword—it’s a key player in tackling climate change, improving soil fertility, and creating sustainable aquaculture. Discover how understanding microbes can lead to innovations like methane-reducing livestock vaccines and biofertilisers that rejuvenate the planet.

2. Equity in Global Nutrition

Did you know that over 70% of microbiome data comes from high-income nations like the US and Europe, leaving low- and middle-income countries out of the equation? Luca Simone Cocolin highlights the ethical imperative of diversifying research to uncover unique microbial ecosystems and address food insecurity globally.

3. Rethinking Proteins for a Sustainable Future

Craig Johnston’s fungi-based innovations take centre stage as he reveals how alternative proteins are being scaled to meet global demand. Learn why precision fermentation and co-located processes are setting the gold standard for sustainability in food production.

4. The Role of AI in Your Nutrition

Can artificial intelligence understand what makes your body unique? Prof. Mariëtte Abrahams explains how AI could shape the future of personalised nutrition—but warns that issues like data bias and ethical transparency must be addressed first.

5. Aging Gracefully, Globally

Prof. Matteo Cesari demystifies the concept of healthy ageing, showing how nutrition, physical capacity, and inclusive environments can enable people to thrive well into old age. Discover how these principles apply to your own life and community.

6. Practical Sustainability in Hospitality

Julia Holiday walks you through how the Food Made Good Standard helps restaurants take real, measurable steps toward sustainability. Learn what practical changes—from waste management to fair sourcing—are reshaping the hospitality industry and why it matters to you as a consumer.

7. Innovating from Farm to Glass

Imagine your local bar becoming a hub of sustainability. Dharath Hoonchamlong shares how Wasteland transforms farmers’ surplus into innovative drinks and connects diverse communities through zero-waste initiatives.

Episode Highlights:

The Microbiome’s Impact on Everyday Life: Did you know microbes in soil and livestock can influence the health of entire ecosystems? Learn how the microbiome connects agriculture, aquaculture, and human health in ways you’ve never imagined.

AI for All or Just the Few?: Dive into the promises and pitfalls of artificial intelligence in nutrition. Can we truly trust it to guide our health decisions, and how do we ensure it serves everyone—not just the privileged?

The Urgency of Healthy Aging: Aging isn’t just about growing older—it’s about maintaining dignity, capacity, and joy throughout life. Discover actionable ways to build resilience for yourself and your loved ones.

From Waste to Innovation: What happens when a chocolatier’s cacao husks or a farmer’s “unusable” produce meets ingenuity? They become cola, bar snacks, or entirely new products. Get inspired by how waste can fuel creativity and sustainability.

Resources and Further Reading:

Salus Optima Success Story: Personalising canteen menus for improved employee health.

WasteLand: Discover how zero-waste practices redefine hospitality.

Food Made Good Standard: Practical tools for building a sustainable restaurant industry.

Subscribe and Connect:

Subscribe to the Food Fight Podcast for more inspiring stories and practical insights. Be part of the global conversation by engaging with us using #EITFoodFight and #NextBite2024. Together, we can shape a future that’s healthier, more equitable, and infinitely more sustainable.