LAS VEGAS — All humans have approximately 99.9% identical DNA, said Kantha Shelke, PhD, founder of Corvus Blue, a food science and consumer packaged goods development company. Yet large differences exist between humans in the remaining 0.1% of their DNA, enough to create a need for personalized nutrition.
Even in identical twins, blood sugar may rise after one eats an apple, Shelke said, and blood sugar may stay lower after the other twin eats an apple.
There is no general agreement on the definition of personalized nutrition.
“It’s a personalized approach to dietary health,” Shelke said during a SupplySide West session Oct. 31 in Las Vegas. “Food is the foundation of our health, but it must be understood in the context of your well-being, your genetic makeup is really what matters. »
She highlighted data from Grand View Research showing the U.S. personalized nutrition and supplements market at $4.58 billion in 2023 with an expected compound annual growth rate of 16.3% from 2024 to 2030.
Genomics, microbiomics and metabolomics affect consumer health, Shelke said. Genomics involves studying an individual’s genetic code to understand the impact of their genes on their nutritional needs and responses. Microbiomics involves studying the gut microbiome, which plays a role in digestion, nutrient absorption and health.
“It’s these little bugs (in the gut) that control everything,” Shelke said. “We eat what they want to eat. They control our destiny. Feed them well and they will treat you well.
Metabolomics involves the study of chemical processes and metabolites. Healthcare professionals can analyze a patient’s metabolic profile and decide what they can do specifically for that patient.
In past years, studies have focused primarily on white men, but more studies of women and different ethnic groups are needed, Shelke said. Women change throughout their lives. They range from young girls to some having babies through to menopause.
“We women are so complex,” Shelke said.
Wearable devices can advance personalized nutrition, said Andy Dratt, chief business officer and executive vice president of Imbibe, a beverage innovation company. The devices already record the number of steps a consumer takes in a day, give blood sugar readings to diabetics and tell consumers whether they slept well the previous night. Through personalized nutrition, wearable devices can make health decisions more proactive and less reactive. In 10 or 15 years, a handheld device could tell consumers how much broccoli they should eat for dinner, Dratt said.
