Nutrition and Health Promotion: Nutritional and Biochemical Aspects

The course aims at providing students with knowledge - both at macroscopic and at molecular level - on the role of macro- and micronutrients in human health. The students also will learn how individual classes of food components may control metabolic pathways. The course also aims at providing students with knowledge related to nutrients requirement in defined physiological states, and in particular human metabolic conditions, including insights on the functional principles of some dietary styles and the consequent effects on human health.

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to predict the effects that different diets can have on humans, also in regard of the nutritional needs at various stages of life. Students will be able to understand the role of specific food compounds in controlling metabolism pathways. Students will be able to understand the functional potential of foods in the context of the daily diet, to manage the nutritional information on the food label according to the current legislation, and to assess new formulations able to contribute to maintaining healthy conditions.