5 highlights at DSM Expo 2021

1. The latest innovations in early life nutrition

DSM and Professor Hania Szajewska from The Medical University of Warsaw will explore the latest science on human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) at DSM Expo 2021. HMOs — categorized into fucosylated, sialylated and non-fucosylated neutral structures — are the third most abundant component of breast milk and are considered key for optimal infant growth and development. Studies, for example, show that sialylated HMOs, such as 3’SL and 6’SL, are beneficial for brain health in infants^1,2,3,4, and fucosylated and non-fucosylated neutral HMOs, like 2’FL and LNnT, bring benefits for digestive health^5,6,7. The webinar on ‘HMOs and human identical milk oligosaccharides (HiMOs), where are we in 2021?’ will discuss how these innovative ingredients can help develop high-quality, safe infant nutrition products for mothers who are unable, or choose not, to breastfeed.

The importance of nutritional lipids for infant health and development will also be covered at DSM Expo 2021. Omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), for instance, may reduce the risk of preterm birth⁸ and support brain and eye development. DHA and omega-6 arachidonic (ARA) in combination may also be key for immune function.^{9,10,11,12,13,14,15} Professor Berthold Koletzko from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich (LMU) and Professor Susan Carlson from University of Kansas Medical Center will discuss how DHA and ARA can help ensure healthy pregnancies and optimal infant growth and development in the first 1,000 days and beyond.

Associate Director at Mintel, Rick Miller, will also join DSM Expo 2021 to share a snapshot of industry and consumer trends, while DSM's regulatory affairs team will host a webinar on the latest regulatory updates for the early life nutrition market. 

2. What’s top of dietary supplements consumers’ minds?

The dietary supplements webinar series will dive into plant-based innovation in omega-3s, including emerging health benefits — beyond their traditional use. As the world changes, we believe the need for more sustainable choices in every facet of life will become increasingly important, with population growth putting products that help people live healthy lives in high demand. This includes omega-3 fatty acids DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which support human health during the entire lifecycle – from pregnancy and infancy to aging. 

Traditionally, fish oil has been the go-to-source of omega-3. As the world’s population continues to grow, however, there is a need to find a more sustainable way, which reduces the strain put on marine resources and biodiversity, of addressing rising demand for omega-3s. Made from fermented non-GM algae, plant-based alternatives to traditional fish oil are a single source of pure, more potent EPA and DHA. At DSM Expo 2021, DSM experts and guest speakers, like Professor Philip Calder from the University of Southampton, will explore how these nutritional ingredients can help brands create purpose-led, science-backed and sustainable solutions for a new generation of consumers. 

Visitors can also explore opportunities for innovation in gut health and immunity, including scientific presentations on DSM’s latest concept V-DIRECT — a new vitamin solution that can nourish the human body through both the upper and lower gut. And another concept that will be discussed at the event is Glycare™ human milk oligosaccharides for adult nutrition.

3. Delving into the latest food & beverage concepts

A growing number of consumers are choosing to adopt a flexitarian, vegetarian or vegan diet, driven primarily by two factors: health and sustainability.¹⁶ But research has shown that some plant-based products have a way to go when it comes to meeting the expectations of an increasingly discerning customer base. For example, the fibrous texture, umami flavor and nutritional profile of meat is difficult to (re-)create in plant-based meat alternatives. This can be an obstacle when trying to appeal to former meat eaters or flexitarians, who will always have a comparison point and therefore higher standards for mouthfeel and taste. The dairy alternatives category also faces similar challenges when it comes to mirroring the nutritional, taste and texture properties of traditional dairy products. In fact, nearly 43% of people who do not consume dairy alternatives say they don’t like the taste or texture of these products.¹⁷  

At DSM Expo 2021, visitors can connect with DSM’s R&D and application experts to find out how to bring premium plant-based food and beverages that continually meet consumer expectations to market. The program will also discuss the latest immunity concepts based on DSM’s bright science and unrivaled portfolio of nutritional ingredients, designed to support brand owners in developing healthy food and drink solutions, from concept to consumer.  

4. How can nutrition improvement solutions create brighter lives for all?

Did you know that hidden hunger is a form of malnutrition and a prevailing public health concern affecting two billion people worldwide?¹⁸ It can have devastating impacts on human health, including blindness, anemia, weakened immunity and the onset of non-communicable diseases.^19,20,21,22 The situation has worsened since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disrupted food systems and compromised access to and the affordability of healthy, nutritious food in a time when people need it most. At DSM Expo 2021, DSM’s nutrition improvement experts will discuss how, together, the nutrition and health industry can roll out effective nutrition interventions that provide fortified staple foods or dietary supplements to large population groups to combat malnutrition and support healthier, brighter futures worldwide.

5. Putting patients and the elderly first: exploring how medical nutrition can support health and quality of life of those in care

The event will also present a variety of webinars discussing nutritional care for optimal immune function in the elderly, as well as concept-specific nutritional therapies that promote the recovery and independence of patients. 

Protecting immune health has never been more relevant. Following the emergence of the SARS-Cov-2 infection, new guidelines have been issued by the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) to help safeguard immunocompromised people, including older adults. The document outlines 10 practical recommendations for nutritional management before and during infection, including identification of individuals at risk of malnutrition, and details how medical nutrition products can provide support.²³ At DSM Expo 2021, Dr. Ulrich Suchner from Klinikum Darmstadt and Professor Philip Calder from the University of Southampton will examine the science behind nutrition and immunity in older people and explore how this can inspire the development of purpose-led, novel and targeted medical nutrition solutions. 

Dr. Simin Meydani from Tufts University, Jean Mayer from the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging and Dr. Alessandro Laviano from Sapienza University of Rome will present how taking a disease-specific approach enables manufacturers to develop targeted and appealing solutions that address the nutritional requirements of specific patient groups. Currently, there are four health conditions where DSM has identified opportunities for insight-led medical nutrition innovation — which will be showcased in detail at the virtual event.

DSM Expo 2021 will present a series of insight- and science-led live webinars and Q&As across three days, and visitors will also be able to meet with both DSM experts and guest speakers to discuss the latest opportunities in early life nutrition, dietary supplements, food and beverages, nutrition improvement industries and medical nutrition. 

Register for the virtual event to find out more, including the full agenda.