In recent years, the food ingredients which helps to maintain and improve health have been clarified. Hence there is growing interest in food which not only satisfy hunger but also support healthy longevity. Although well-balanced diet is necessary for maximizing their original functions to maintain our health, we cannot appropriately recognize our own dietary balance. To visualize dietary balance, we carry out research focusing on technology developments such as noninvasive measurement of dietary metabolites excreted in urine. We hope our research could contribute to rational design of food for individuals to maintain their physique.
On the other hand, food is also essential for the mental well-being through deliciousness, enjoyment, and peace of mind. It is difficult to understand " deliciousness" because there are many different kinds of food in the world, and they are consumed by people who are diverse in their bodies, eating styles, and preferences. In order to understand about deliciousness, we study the relationship between the structure and food ingredients and individual differences in the way of eating and their feelings towards food. The goal is to provide personalized food by utilizing how we chew and sense food and how our body reacts to the stimuli emitted by food.
