Panel Discussion | Ingredients for gut signals: Designing food for functional nutrition

Food does more than provide nutrients. It triggers a cascade of biological signals that influence appetite, metabolism, energy balance and long-term health. As scientific understanding of gut hormones and the microbiome advances, food developers are increasingly exploring how ingredients and formulations can be designed to shape these physiological responses.

This panel will investigate which ingredients have the strongest evidence for influencing gut axes, how processing affects functionality and bioavailability, and whether microbiome-informed product development can be scaled commercially. From protein and fibre innovation to postbiotics and personalised nutrition, speakers will assess the opportunities, limitations and commercial implications of a food industry increasingly focused on functionality.

This session will be recorded on site and will be made available for on-demand viewing from 23 November till 15 January 2027.