In 2019, the EAT-Lancet Commission proposed a healthy and sustainable dietary pattern based on a drastic reduction in the consumption of unhealthy foods, such as red meat, animal fats, and sugars, in favour of doubling the intake of plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils.

Numerous epidemiological and clinical evidence suggest many beneficial effects of plant-based foods and the bioactive compounds they contain. However, it is necessary to deepen the understanding of the mechanisms of action through which these components can exert their health benefits without posing a risk to consumers.

The objective is to characterise the bioactive components of certain food matrices widely used in the national territory (e.g., olive oil, fruit, etc.) and study their effects in in vitro models and animal models. The information obtained will then be used to develop new, healthier, and more sustainable dietary models, with positive impacts on human health and the environment. Particular attention will be paid to basic research models that allow exploring the effects of these bioactive compounds in pregnant women and children during the first thousand days of life.

Furthermore, the potential of using nutraceuticals containing these bioactive compounds to enhance the sustainability of innovative dietary models must be investigated. The project proposals presented may foresee numerous final research products (deliverables) that must be possibly added to one or more of the deliverables provided within Spoke 5 (WP5.3 - https://onfoods.it/Spokes/Spoke-05/wp-53).

According to the "One Health" approach to health, based on the interconnection of the health of all terrestrial ecosystems, every food system must be structured and, if necessary, integrated and implemented to ensure fertility, longevity, and prosperity for humanity and the planet.

In this context, careful monitoring of measurable determinants and their relative impact is necessary to ensure prosperity, quality of life, and longevity of individuals.

The objective is to map populations representative of the general population (from young adults to those over 70 years) to identify the main variables to be used as targets for interventions aimed at improving lifestyle (particularly, zero-mile diet and psycho-physical activities).

Additionally, the information collected must be used to create predictive algorithms to estimate the potential effects of lifestyle interventions involving not only individuals but also national and local public administrations.

The project proposals presented may foresee numerous final research products (deliverables) that must be possibly added to one or more of the deliverables provided within Spoke 5 (WP5.1 - https://onfoods.it/Spokes/Spoke-05/wp-51, WP5.3 - https://onfoods.it/Spokes/Spoke-05/wp-53, WP5.4 - https://onfoods.it/Spokes/Spoke-05/wp-54).

Improving the safety and nutritional quality for the general population can also be promoted through strategies for producing innovative functional foods from new food matrices. This approach will improve the diet quality of the general population by providing alternatives for consumers to integrate into a healthy diet.

The activities may involve the use of new raw materials, innovative processes, and technologies to develop new functional products containing bioactive components. Additionally, the implementation of strategies for personalising new functional products based on the specific needs of vulnerable population groups will be particularly important.

The project proposals presented may foresee numerous final research products (deliverables) that must be possibly added to one or more of the deliverables provided within Spoke 5 (WP5.3 - https://onfoods.it/Spokes/Spoke-05/wp-53) in connection with Spoke 2 (WP2.1 – https://onfoods.it/Spokes/Spoke-02/wp-21) of OnFoods.