Our daily meals are not only for nourishment, but also for enjoyment and it helps us to maintain and improve our health. Minor health complaints (e.g. mild physical and mental disorders caused by lack of sleep and mental stress) are several subjective symptoms between health and disease. If they are left untreated, there is a high chance of getting sick, but by means of dietary intervention it is possible to return to healthy state.
So far NARO has developed various agricultural products rich in functional ingredients. Our group will reveal the relationship between personal health data (e.g. heart rate, sleep record) and food components, and will develop personal healthcare diet (a diet for personal health promotion) that improve the minor health complaints by utilizing vegetables with excellent nutritional and health functions. Furthermore, we will develop self-care model (management of health condition by incorporating health care food into one's own diet) by collaborating with local governments and private companies. By this proposal of personalized food design, we will contribute to the realization of a society of good health and longevity and the expansion of the healthcare industry market.
1) The Cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program II(SIPII)
"Improving personal health and extending healthy life expectancy through food " (https://www.nature.com/articles/d42473-020-00385-5)
2) Co-research between NARO and Shimazu Kyoto laboratory
"Simultaneous analysis of food components in agricultural products"
(https://www.naro.go.jp/laboratory/nfri/introduction/chart/07/naro-shimadzu.html)
(Staple food: White rice of which 50% is glutinous barley "Kirarimochi",
Side dishes: Spinach omelet with a starchy sauce of mushroom, Fried broccoli and lotus root with garlic, Baked petit tomato with cheese, 600 kcal, Salt equivalent 1.6g, β-glucan 2g, polyphenol 800mg)
It is reported that β-glucan in "Kirarimochi" slow down the rise in postprandial blood glucose levels.
