Food and health

Abstract

A two-way relation exists between food and health. In fact, food intake and nutritional status may influence health status (modifying life span, function modulation and the prevalence of chronic diseases) and, in the same way, health status (comorbidity in particular in the elderly) can influence food intake and nutritional status (nutritional frailty). Research in food science may positively affect the relation between food and health. It is however necessary to guide this process with wisdom. Otherwise, the price we have to pay for this is a dysfunctional food pyramid, looking like the tower of Babel, where under- and over-nutrition and nutrient toxicity are present at the same time. A two-way relation exists between food and health. In fact, food intake and nutritional status may influence health status and, in the same way, health status can influence food intake and nutritional status. This complex relation may represent an important prospective objective of research in food science.