Advancing Precision Nutrition Through Multimodal Data and Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

Interindividual variability in metabolic responses to diets complicates the relationship between nutrition and metabolic health, which highlights the existence of metabolic heterogeneity across populations. This variability challenges the conventional “one-size-fits-all” approach to dietary recommendations and underscores the need for precision nutrition. In the current era, characterized by breakthroughs in sophisticated data collection technologies, the explosion of big data, and progress in artificial intelligence, the implementation of precision nutrition is becoming increasingly feasible. This review aims to summarize potential sources of metabolic heterogeneity from the angle of the host genome, gut microbiome, and brain connectome to explore the implications of their interactions with diet. Furthermore, we discuss the application of artificial intelligence in leveraging multimodal data for predicting individualized dietary responses. Aggregating data on host genetics, gut microbes, and brain activity profiling offers profound insights into the personalized response to diets. We also highlight the development of individual-specific predictive models that combine n-of-1 study designs with advanced wearable technologies and machine learning algorithms, thereby placing the individual at the center of nutritional decision-making. Finally, this review summarizes current challenges in the field and outlines potential directions for advancing precision nutrition.