An Introduction to Personalized Nutrition

Dietary factors are known to play a role in health and diseases, and there is convincing evidence that adopting a correct lifestyle (diet included) can be more effective than drug treatment in the prevention of diseases in susceptible subjects. Generalized dietary recommendations have a limited impact and often lead to modest improvements in food intake. Personalization of dietary recommendations, by taking into account specific characteristics of the recipients, may thus increase motivation toward dietary changes. In order for these changes to be effective, personalization can be based on biological evidence and/or personal behaviors, preferences, or objectives. This chapter provides an overview on strategies to deliver personalized nutrition and future perspectives in the field.