Researchers in Teagasc and UCD have secured almost €475,000 in grant aid from the Department of Agriculture to collaborate on international projects relating to nutrition in older citizens.

Announcing the awards, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture Martin Heydon said the projects selected focused on the development of food products aimed at the prevention of diet-related disease and issues relating to poor nutrition in older citizens.

“I am delighted to announce two new research awards for Irish-based researchers, which allow them to partner and collaborate with their European counterparts in addressing an important challenge relating to the protection of health and well-being in older citizens,” Minister Heydon said.

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‘‘These awards will further strengthen existing scientific linkages and develop capacity and capability, keeping us to the fore in delivering innovation in the agri-food sector.”

Projects

The awards arise under the 'Joint Programming Initiative – a Healthy Diet for a Healthy Life’ (JPI-HDHL), which in 2020 issued a competitive research call.

There are two projects with Irish participants:

  • EAT4AGE – Teagasc will collaborate with partners from Norway, United Kingdom, France and Israel. The project intends to investigate the formulation of innovative and energy-dense foods that increase appetite and improve bio-availability of proteins in age-tailored food products.
  • AMBROSIA – University College Dublin will work with partners from Italy, Spain, United Kingdom and Germany. The project intends to develop a new food product based on research regarding metabolism, macro and/or micro nutrients bio-availability and absorption in older adults.

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