Kerry Health and Nutrition Institute

Codex Alimentarius Commission guidance promotes a harmonised risk assessment approach to precautionary allergen labelling to improve consumer confidence and provide greater clarity for food businesses. An estimated 4.3% of the global population are affected by food allergies with reactions ranging from mild symptoms to life-threatening anaphylaxis1. While the labelling of intentionally added allergen ingredients is…

The path to conception often takes much longer than expected.  On average, couples spend 6.8 years from deciding to have a child to achieving pregnancy.  Of this, approximately 3.6 years are spent trying to conceive naturally—more than three times longer than the period recommended by the World Health Organisation before seeking medical advice for infertility….

The immune system is constantly active and needs energy from macronutrients like carbohydrates, fats and proteins.  Protein also supplies amino acids to build immune cells and enzymes that help destroy pathogens.  These enzymes also require vitamins and minerals as cofactors to function properly. So, while it may sound obvious, a varied and balanced diet that…

Selenium is a mineral that is important for a group of proteins called selenoproteins, which have a few different functions in the body, ranging from helping our reproductive system function to storing selenium in the liver. Some selenoproteins, called glutathione peroxidases, are important for the body’s antioxidant system, which protects DNA and cells from oxidative…

Beta glucans are ingredients that are becoming more common to see in functional foods and beverages positioned for immune health.  While many people might be aware of the role of oat beta glucans in reducing cholesterol for heart health, there are many types of beta glucans that have different health benefits based on their chemical…

What is the Role of Zinc in Immune Health? Zinc is a popular nutrient in winter supplements.  It is an essential nutrient and the second most abundant trace element in the body, after iron1. It is found in every cell in the body and involved in many bodily processes.  It is required by cells from…

What is the Role of Vitamin C in Immune Health? Vitamin C is one of the most common nutrients that comes to mind when thinking about immune health.  It is a water-soluble vitamin that serves as a cellular antioxidant, which means it protects cells from reactive oxygen species and cellular damage1. By protecting both skin…

What is Vitamin A’s role in Immune Health? Although vitamin A is more frequently associated with vision, it plays multiple roles in supporting the immune system, including: maintaining the integrity of skin and mucosal barriers that protect from pathogen invasion. supporting the innate (general) immune system (e.g. regulating Natural Killer (NK) cell production, phagocytic activity…

What are Gut Microbiota? The ‘gut microbiota’ refers to the microorganisms (which may include bacteria, fungi and viruses) living in our intestines and they play a vital role in gut health and the management of several gastrointestinal disorders. The term ‘microbiome’ refers to both microorganisms along with their collective genomes and metabolites (the molecules they…

In December 2025, the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued its first guidance on using Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 (GLP 1) therapies for treating obesity1.  The GLP-1 medications covered include liraglutide (Saxenda), semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound in the US). Obesity is a complex chronic disease and a major driver of non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular…

The Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (YSTE) continues to be a beacon of creativity and scientific excellence, showcasing the next generation of innovators who are shaping the future. This year’s event brought together over 1,000 secondary school students from across Ireland, presenting 550 projects spanning artificial intelligence, climate science, mental health research and sustainable…

We are delighted to announce that Professor Imed Gallouzi has been appointed as a Scientific Advisor to the Kerry Health and Nutrition Institute (KHNI). Supported by Kerry’s science and nutrition teams, the aim of the KHNI’s Scientific Advisory Council is to guide Kerry’s research and innovation teams on some of the fastest growing areas in…

APC Microbiome Ireland is recognised globally as a leader in microbiome research.  Located at University College Cork, APC’s work focuses on understanding the complex interactions between the microbiome and human health. Their pioneering research has led to significant discoveries in the areas of gut health, immunity, and the gut-brain axis. APC’s deep scientific expertise and…

The past decade brought a rise in sugar-related discussions amongst the food and beverage industry, public health officials, and the general population.  While demand for sugar and sweeteners has never been higher, the need for sugar reduction has also continued to grow.  Sugar, in the form of the carbohydrate glucose, is the primary energy of…

 Earlier this year, Dr. Lisa Ryan, spoke at KHNI’s 2023 Health and Nutrition Trends webinar, highlighting the pivotal role of cognitive health in tying together various wellness trends. Emphasizing that mental well-being is the foundation for achieving desired activity levels and daily routines, Dr. Ryan stressed the impact of the pandemic on prompting reflection…

 October 18th is World Menopause Day.  It’s a day to come together an recognise the significance of menopause in the lives of women worldwide. With the importance of Women’s Health across the life stages, we would like to share key insights from our women’s health webinar that explored the intricate relationship between menopause, health,…

It is estimated that the world’s population will reach 10 billion in the year 20601. Furthermore, with as much as 40% of food lost or wasted from production to consumption, a major inefficiency persists in global food systems — despite nearly one in three people experiencing food insecurity2. Food sits at the centre of a…

A new study found that consuming a high number of refined grains, such as croissants and white bread, poses risks for heart health. Increasing whole grain intake is a major opportunity to improve public health.

How much does sustainable nutrition messaging about upcycled ingredients impact purchase intent? Learn about the findings of a recent study.

The boom in microbiome research in recent years has led to a greater understanding of how we interact with the microbes that live in the human body.  It has also brought a multitude of different ways to manipulate the microbiome to improve health along with it, including probiotics, prebiotics, and now the postbiotics. Probiotics are…

The FODMAP diet is an eating pattern designed to help people with irritable bowel syndrome or other gastrointestinal discomfort choose foods that can help them with their symptoms like bloating and abdominal pain. Many consider it to be the next wave of the gluten-free trend.  Researchers from Monash University in Australia have conducted much of…

In one of the largest microbiota studies conducted, researchers suggest a potential link between healthy aging and a healthy gut.  The results showed a direct correlation between health and the microbes in the intestine. The overall microbiota composition of the healthy elderly group was similar to that of people decades younger, and the gut microbiota…

Research partnerships are essential to innovation because they bring together complementary expertise, resources and perspectives that no single organisation can typically provide on its own. By connecting universities, industry, government and other stakeholders, partnerships accelerate the journey from discovery to real-world impact. Innovation often occurs at the intersection of different disciplines.  Academic researchers contribute deep…

Whole-grain consumption seems to have cardiovascular benefits in adults, but not as much is known about whole-grain benefits in children. Most of us eat do not eat enough wholegrains to get the health benefits from the whole range of nutrients they contain such as fiber, B vitamins, essential fatty acids, protein, antioxidants and other micronutrients…

The association between eating red meat and risk of developing colon cancer has been of great interest over recent years. In a recent systematic review, researchers tried to establish if there is a plausible link based on experimental data. A key finding of the review was that red meat intake may not have a causative…

Looking to protect your heart health? A new study published in the British Medical Journal found that a gluten-free diet is not the answer, assuming you do not have Coeliac Disease. These days, gluten-free diets have become a popular trend. Although Coeliac Disease rates are not “on the up” (less than 1% of the population…

Ancient Grains are a group of grains from plants like quinoa, millet, and sorghum.  Consumer demand for ancient grains has grown fast, in part, because of consumers’ perceived “sensitivities” to grains that contain gluten.  According to new research in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, eating bread made with ancient grains as part of a…

A resource providing antioxidant content for over 3000 foods and beverages is only becoming more relevant with time. Antioxidants continue to be a hot topic in nutrition science and with consumers. Research studies have shown potential roles of antioxidants in improving cardiovascular health, cognitive health, and exercise performance, to name a few.  As demand for…

Is your probiotic-containing food providing you the benefit you think it is? A recent review conducted by professors at the University of Toronto and published in the journal Nutrients, found that, although most probiotic food products contain bacterial strains that have been shown to have health benefits, the amount of probiotic bacteria contained in foods is often much lower…

With June underway, you may have seen more information about dairy than you’re used to in other months. June 1st is World Milk Day and June is National Dairy Month in the United States, which might make some of us wonder what’s the big deal with dairy? Dairy is included in many global dietary recommendations…

Energy is a top functional benefit consumers seek from food and beverages, and one ingredient we all strongly associate with energy is caffeine. This has led to a surge of products in non-traditional categories containing caffeine, from energy bars to potato chips. This gives us plenty of choices to get our caffeine buzz, but could…

Food & Nutrition magazine covers stabilizers, thickeners, and gelling agents and their role in food.

New research shows dark chocolate may reduce the oxygen cost of exercise

The benefits of probiotics may extend to improving quality of life for allergy sufferers.

Food and Nutrition magazine continues their educational piece on food additives with a dive into food preservatives.

Learn about the role of food additives and regulations in place to ensure their safety.

In 2010, Australia implemented a number of taxes on unhealthy foods alongside subsidies on fruits and vegetables. A new study in the journal of PLOS medicine reveals that Australia could save AUD $3.4 billion (USD $2.3 billion) in healthcare costs. The greatest impact, the researchers concluded, came from a sugar tax, which could avert 270,000 years…

Although most parents understand the importance of healthy eating for their children, only a third feel confident they are shaping these healthy behaviors for their kids.