Public sector and industry unite to attack obesity and heart disease

The battle against obesity, heart disease and other diet related health problems have received a £4 million boost with the announcement of seven new research projects.

The projects, taking place in universities and research institutes across the UK, are part of a partnership between two publicly-funded Research Councils and 15 companies.

This means the research being funded is tackling big questions in diet and health in our society but in a way that the food industry will able to use quickly to help improve the nation's health through diet.

The companies involved are: Britvic Soft Drinks Ltd, Campden BRI, Cadbury, Coca-Cola, Danisco, Danone, GlaxoSmithKline, Leatherhead Food Research, Marks & Spencer plc, The National Association of British and Irish Millers, Nestlé, PepsiCo UK and Ireland, The Sugar Bureau, Unilever and United Biscuits.

Research will look at such things as the role of probiotics and prebiotics in reducing obesity and improving immunity, why and how polyphenols found in fruit juice reduce the risk of heart disease and if this ability is reduced during food processing and the role of cognition in triggering physiological signals of fullness.

Dr Celia Caulcott, BBSRC director for Innovation and Skills, said: "With obesity rising and an increasingly aging population, the need to understand the connection between diet and health has never been so important. We have a world class diet and health research community in the UK.

"By working with major food companies and by combining public and private sector money we can ensure that those scientists are tackling real world problems. The Club only funds the very best science, and we are working together to deliver advice and products to consumers that will have real health benefits for them - and as quickly as possible."

Words: Clare Riley

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