IFST Lecture 2018 - Food, Diet and Public Health: The Role and Impact of the Media in Presenting Scientific Evidence

CathrinaThe Eastern branch IFST Lecture 2018 was kindly hosted by the Quadram Institute in Norwich.  As an appetiser, the group of approximately 30 attendees was treated to a stimulating presentation by Dr. Cathrina Edwards from the Quadram Institute. The main course was the live streamed talk by Dr. Michael Moseley.

Cathrina presented the background to the Quadram Insitute which aims to create new interfaces between food science, gut biology, human health and disease; capitalising on the world-class bioscience cluster based at the Norwich Research Park.  She then introduced her own research which focuses on the factors governing the structural and biochemical breakdown of starch-rich plant tissues during digestion and the bio-accessibility (‘release’) of nutrients in this context. Attendees were very interested in this research area and some great questions lead to an enlightening group discussion.

Michael’s talk was entertaining and full of interesting examples and statistics. He left the group with a lot to think about in terms of how to promote and communicate research in a way that will not distort, but highlight, important findings/evidence. His thoughts on the benefits of various food stuffs and diets made everyone hungry, so all were ready to enjoy the delicious buffet and networking opportunity at the end of the evening.

The Eastern region committee would like to thank IFST Eastern region committee members, Ana Isabel Mulet Cabero (a PhD student based at the Quadram Institute) and Carol Raithatha (a Norwich based sensory and consumer research consultant) for their hard work in organising this worthwhile event.

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