Food and Drinks for Seniors - FRESH

As more and more of us live longer, age-related problems such as frailty, loss of muscle mass and muscle function (sarcopenia) are on the rise. A major cause of both frailty and sarcopenia is that these seniors are not getting enough energy, protein and other nutrients, and this is often caused by swallowing difficulties (dysphagia). For older seniors in particular, this leads to malnutrition and weight loss, and unfortunately often to nursing home care, hospitalization and ultimately death. Frailty is closely linked to falls, which together lead to a negative spiral. In addition to human suffering, the cost of malnutrition alone is estimated at SEK 9 billion per year and falls at SEK 25 billion per year.

The project is developing food and drink products in close collaboration with industry to reduce the problems described by drawing on previous research to develop fortified ready meals and tasty thickeners with good mouthfeel. This will result in improved quality of life for older people, reduced healthcare costs and even better ready meals, thickened drinks and thickeners, especially adapted for seniors.