Research area

Food and health

Research regarding food and health is a major issue at Nofima Mat. Health is an important innovation area for the food industry and the number of health-optimised products and meals on the market is increasing, as is our knowledge about the effects of health promoting components in food. Our focus is on developing food for better health in cooperation with the food industry.

We aim to be the food industry's the centre of excellence, and partner in the development of healthy products and meals, we can also be a bridge builder between the authorities and centres of excellence, both at home and abroad.

Diet is important in preventing lifestyle diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disorders, obesity and type 2 diabetes. The most important challenge for the food industry will be to create healthy products and meals that in addition to improve quality of life, prevent such diseases. The enjoyment of food and food quality are important in helping the consumer to understand the connection between food and health.

At Nofima Mat we have competence in

  • healthy products and meals
  • raw materials, and how the bioactive components can be safeguarded during processing and storage
  • the effects these health components have in the human body
  • insight into consumer perceptions relating to healthy food

 

Relevant news

 

Research area within Food and health

Healthy meals

The general Norwegian population are spending an increasingly amout of money on food and meals outside the home. This market is growing strongly, which also makes it increasingly important that such meals should have a good nutritional composition.

In raw materials

Healthy raw materials for the Norwegian market are in focus at Nofima Mat. We have international research competence in the bioactive components of cereals, seafood, vegetables, fruit and berries.

In the body

There is still much research to be done to find out how the body takes up bioactive components and how these work in the body. At Nofima Mat we are studying how certain factors in food production affect the behaviour of bioactive constituents, in collaboration with other centres of health expertise.

In the mind

At Nofima Mat we have cutting edge international competence in understanding the consumer's experience and sensory perception of healthy food in different situations.