In a rapidly evolving world, fermented foods (FFs) are gaining attention for their potential to revolutionize health and sustainability. A recent review, published in Frontiers in Nutrition, by a large international team of researchers, highlights the pivotal role FFs could play in addressing not only human health but also broader societal issues such as planetary health and sustainable food systems. This groundbreaking European initiative, known as PIMENTO, seeks to explore how these ancient dietary staples might shape our future.
The Role of Fermented Foods in Modern Diets
As global diets shift increasingly toward processed foods, there is a critical need to sustain and enhance the nutritional diversity provided by traditional foods. Fermented foods, with their extended shelf life, live microbes, bioactive compounds, and vitamins, are seen as a crucial component in this transition. Their unique properties offer both nutritional and environmental benefits, making them a strategic part of European diets.
However, to fully understand the potential of FFs, more evidence is needed. The PIMENTO initiative aims to consolidate this evidence through a comprehensive and systematic approach, integrating findings from foodomics, food ecosystems, nutrigenomics, and systemic approaches to food microbiology.
PIMENTO’s Systematic Review Approach
PIMENTO’s working group 3 (WG3) has embarked on an ambitious project to evaluate the health risks and benefits of FFs through 16 interconnected reviews. These reviews, based on European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) guidelines, will ensure that the health claims associated with FFs are supported by robust scientific evidence. The reviews will address a range of topics, from biological and clinical health indicators to broader biological questions, providing a holistic understanding of FFs’ impact on human health.
Key Areas of Focus
Among the key areas of focus are the potential benefits of FFs for gastrointestinal health, food allergies, metabolic health, cardiovascular health, bone health, cognitive function, and more. For example, one review will assess whether FFs can help manage gastrointestinal symptoms in healthy adults, while another will examine the effects of FFs on the development of food allergies in at-risk populations.
Additionally, the initiative will explore the potential of FFs to enhance calcium bioavailability, improve cognitive performance, and increase the bioavailability of bioactive compounds and vitamins. The reviews will also investigate the health effects of ethnic FFs, such as kimchi and koumiss, which are at risk of disappearing due to urbanization and changing dietary habits.
Food Safety and Novel Fermented Foods
Given the renewed interest in FFs, food safety is a critical concern. The PIMENTO reviews will evaluate the major chemical and microbiological hazards associated with FFs, particularly as new fermentation processes and products are developed. The initiative will also explore the potential of novel FFs with improved functional properties, examining their health effects and safety profiles.
Shaping the Future of Fermented Foods
The conclusions drawn from this extensive analysis will help shape future research and policy, particularly in aligning FF innovations with public health goals and sustainable development objectives. The systematic approach adopted by the PIMENTO WG3 is expected to provide comprehensive and harmonized results, which could define a strategic roadmap for future research on the health benefits and risks of FFs.
Furthermore, the roadmap will guide additional research in the thematic areas identified at the Belgrade workshop conducted in 2022. The methodology developed by WG3 could also be applied to other food categories, broadening its impact on public health and food safety.
In sum, as the world looks for sustainable solutions to global health challenges, fermented foods may hold the key to a healthier and more sustainable future.