IAFNS Launches Project to Link Consumer-Articulated Cognitive Benefits with Valid Research Tools

Newswise — Washington D.C. – A new initiative by IAFNS will seek to identify potential links between perceived consumer “brain” benefits that can be achieved from food and nutrition and validated measures of cognitive performance.

IAFNS’ new Cognitive Health Committee focuses on foods, diets and bioactives for health promotion. The focus on consumer-articulated interests is key as the effort will collect cognitive impacts as perceived in the real world and how those influence quality of life.

The new project will be conducted in three steps: 1) qualitative research to understand how consumers articulate cognitive benefits important in their day-to-day lives; 2) matching of these outcomes with validated cognitive performance tools; 3) a peer-reviewed publication describing the matches and mismatches between desired day-to-day benefits and what can be supported through research. This is directly targeted to help ensure that science is the basis of decision making by all stakeholders – with the goal to advance public health.

The Cognitive Health Committee is led by IAFNS’ Director of Science Programs Marie Latulippe. “This new effort addresses the reality that benefits measurable by validated cognitive performance tests have never been aligned with what consumers view as a benefit in their day-to-day lives. Alignment between what can be demonstrated through research with what consumers are expecting is critical to the development of effective products and dietary guidance substantiated by science,” she said.

The qualitative consumer research will be led by Alyssa Ghirardelli of NORC at the University of Chicago. “We are excited to work on this project which will offer insights on how the measurable effects of nutrition on cognitive health are aligned with what consumers are seeking.”

NORC: NORC at the University of Chicago conducts research and analysis that decision-makers trust. As a nonpartisan research organization and a pioneer in measuring and understanding the world, we have studied almost every aspect of the human experience and every major news event for more than eight decades. Today, we partner with government, corporate, and nonprofit clients around the world to provide the objectivity and expertise necessary to inform the critical decisions facing society. www.norc.org

IAFNS: The effort is funded by the Institute for the Advancement of Food and Nutrition Sciences (IAFNS), which is committed to leading positive change across the food and beverage ecosystem. IAFNS is a 501(c)(3) science-focused nonprofit uniquely positioned to mobilize government, industry and academia to drive, fund and lead actionable research. iafns.org