RAAIS 2020 - How artificial intelligence is revolutionizing precision nutrition

Most of us are not “average," yet healthy eating guidelines have historically focused on adopting a “one-size-fits-all” approach to nutrition.

The reality is that they don't work for most people as humans and the foods we eat are complicated. Our research has shown that dietary inflammation varies hugely between individuals and that there are a number of complex, interrelated factors that impact our responses to foods.

These findings highlight the need for more personalized approaches to sustainably combat weight and health challenges, setting the stage for artificial intelligence (AI) to help people choose foods that work best for their biology.

Looking beyond the average

Traditional nutrition research has also often focused on investigating single determinants, biomarkers, and health outcomes, which ignores the complexity of individual biological factors and the food that we eat.

It is thanks to recent technological advances that we have been able to carry out nutritional research at a scale and depth that has never been done before in a real-world setting, allowing us to answer questions that have not previously been feasible.

By combining AI, novel digital technologies and collaboration with leading scientists from around the world, we have been able to predict personal nutritional responses to foods and provide everyone with a better understanding of their unique biology.

Powered by AI

ZOE's at-home test kit and personalized recommendations are backed by cutting-edge science. The ongoing results from the PREDICT studies power the personalized ZOE food quality scores that represent our prediction of the impact that a food will have on an individual's dietary inflammation and gut health.

Nutrition research on fast forward

Dr. Sarah Berry, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at King’s College London and Head of Nutrition Science at ZOE, shared insights into the PREDICT studies at the Research and Applied AI Summit (RAAIS) earlier this year. This summit brings together entrepreneurs and researchers who accelerate the science and applications of AI technology for the common good.

Watch the full presentation to learn more about how ZOE is using big data to tackly global health issues.