This RIA call under Horizon Europe Cluster 6 focuses on the critical intersection of nutrition and mental health, aiming to generate actionable insights into dietary patterns, gut microbiome interactions, and their impact on mental health disorders. The project must deliver evidence-based recommendations for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and vulnerable groups, while aligning with EU strategies like the Food 2030 initiative, EU Green Deal, and the Commission’s comprehensive approach to mental health. The multi-actor requirement underscores the need for transdisciplinary collaboration to ensure practical applicability and societal relevance.
Scope Activities (4)
SC1
Establish the specific food groups, beverages, macro and micronutrients needed in a daily diet to prevent the development of mental health disorders in Europe and explore the need to characterise and supplement a healthy diet with specific macro and micronutrients in children, adults, and older population affected by specific diseases related to mental health disorders.
SC2
Map the most recent research and innovation projects to elucidate the 3-axis ‘diet-gut microbiome-host-health’ interplay and establish possible relevant biomarkers for mental health disorders.
SC3
Provide recommendations and develop specific communication materials for prevention campaigns targeting national authorities and nutritional professionals to communicate the link between healthy diets and mental health.
SC4
Provide recommendations on how established deficiencies or excess intake of macro and micronutrients could be addressed, including means to increase or decrease nutrients in the diet, particularly in vulnerable groups.
Expected Outcomes (7)
EO1
Improved monitoring of the effects of unhealthy diets on mental health in children (above 36 months), adults (above 18 years old), and older population (above 65 years old) under different social and economic contexts for a European comprehensive overview.
EO2
Improved science-based communication to policymakers and various professionals, facilitating the understanding of the interlink between a healthy diet, nutrition, and mental health wellbeing.
EO3
Identification of mechanisms to understand the effects of nutrition (i.e., food groups, beverages, macro- and micronutrients) on mental health disorders and prevention or exacerbation of mental health diseases, considering gender-specific dietary patterns.
EO4
New and improved evidence to support decision makers, public authorities, health and nutritional institutes, and stakeholders in assessing the effects of diet on mental health.
EO5
Sound data identified for developing standardised/validated metrics and analysis approaches (including Omics approaches) on the function/role of the gut microbiome and its interplay with host metabolism.
EO6
Enhanced knowledge to improve nutrition in individuals with mental health disorders, ensuring better health and longevity conditions.
EO7
Use of indicators to measure the beneficial or detrimental effect of food groups, beverages, and macro/micronutrients present in a daily diet and/or dietary behaviour on preventing mental health disorders.
Nutrition and Mental Health — Horizon Europe | GrantForge