Research
The goal of Smartfood research is to integrate existing knowledge about the molecular mechanisms underlying metabolism and chronic diseases with the ways in which nutrition influences metabolic processes. The quantity, quality, and frequency of the foods we consume are among the most powerful environmental factors shaping our health and life expectancy.
This conclusion is supported by a substantial body of scientific evidence, including:
- Epidemiological studies that examine the relationship between dietary habits and disease development.
- Nutritional intervention studies that evaluate how specific foods affect disease-risk markers and explore the mechanisms behind these effects.
- Research using cellular and animal models.
This area of the program focuses on surveys and epidemiological investigations, with particular attention to the role of nutrients in key metabolic pathways that influence health and, ultimately, life span.
Communication
The Smartfood program also aims to promote healthy lifestyles by providing practical tools that help translate scientific research into everyday eating habits. Its communication strategy focuses on offering accessible, evidence-based guidance to support informed, practical food choices. This approach reinforces the idea that a healthy diet can be varied, enjoyable, and suitable for all ages while meeting all nutritional needs.
To reach a broad audience, the program operates across multiple communication channels, including books, magazines, newspapers, radio, television, the internet, and social media.
Consulting Services for Corporate Welfare Programs
The Smartfood team’s in-depth expertise in nutritional science makes it possible to translate national and international guidelines, recommendations, and scientific research into practical tools that support both healthcare professionals in their clinical work and corporate employees in their daily lives.
Smartfood activities also include Workplace Health Promotion, an initiative that not only supports health and well-being in the workplace but also helps prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by promoting healthy lifestyles and addressing modifiable risk factors. In particular, the Smartfood team works to improve the nutritional quality of food offered in cafeterias and vending machines and to organize workshops for employees on healthy eating habits.
Examples of activities
- Participation in public events and accredited training courses.
- Consulting services for the HORECA sector (hotels, restaurants, cafés), retail, catering, and the food industry (R&D).
All activities are carried out with the support of the Fondazione IEO-CCM.
Research and Development in New Food Products
Smartfood also partners with companies in the food industry to develop new products or reformulate existing ones—following food legislation and international guidelines on healthy eating and nutritional standards—with the goal of bridging the gap between nutritional recommendations and people’s eating habits.
Building on several successful collaborations, the Smartfood Certification Mark was recently introduced. This quality certification aims to encourage the consumption of foods—or preparations—whose positive health benefits have been scientifically validated by national and international institutions.