Foodomics: a new comprehensive approach to food and nutrition

A targeted approach for studying the effect of sugar bee feeding on the metabolic profile of Royal Jelly

Royal Jelly (RJ) constitutes one of the most popular beehive products and for this reason the use of inexpensive sweeteners during its production remains an important quality issue. In the present study we report results of metabolic profiling of RJ samples obtained after the application of artificial bee-feeding using different feeding protocols. The hydrophilic content of RJ samples was assessed by applying (HILIC)UPLC-MS/MS. In total 96 crude RJ samples were analysed with the developed method. Multivariate statistical analysis revealed clear differentiation between the RJ samples obtained from control (non-fed) bees and samples obtained after feeding. In total 27 out of 57 detected molecules were statistically found to be significantly altered in the different comparisons. Among them some amino acids (e.g. tryptophan, lysine), amino acid derivatives (pyroglutamic acid), amines (cadaverine, TMAO, etc.), carbohydrates and vitamins were found as potential markers. The results of the study could be further used for the development of an LC-MS based analytical tool for RJ quality control assessment.

Taste Evaluation of Yellowtail (Seriola Quinqueradiata) Ordinary and Dark Muscle by Metabolic Profiling

We performed metabolic profiling on yellowtail (Seriola quinqueradiata) muscle to develop an objective taste evaluation method for fish meat. Dark (DM) and ordinary (OM) muscle samples before and after storage were subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis and taste measurements using an electronic tongue. The metabolites identified by the GC-MS analysis were treated as x variables, and the taste values obtained by the electronic tongue were treated as y variables. The relationships between the metabolites and taste attributes were evaluated by two-way orthogonal projections to latent structures (O2PLS) analysis. The O2PLS analyses were normalized in two ways, unit variance (UV) and pareto (Par) scaling. The O2PLS (UV) analysis produced 3+1+0 models in Autofit and this model was statistically significant with R²Y (0.73) and Q² (0.52) metrics. In particular, significant correlations were found between DM or OM and metabolite intensity and taste attributes, and strong associations were found between “sourness” and lysine, “irritant” and alanine and phenylalanine, “saltiness” and pantothenic acid, and “umami” and creatinine and histidine. The O2PLS (Par) analysis of DM generated significant predictive models for “acidic bitterness,” “irritant,” “saltiness,” “bitterness,” “astringency,” and “richness.” Among these, only “irritant” was affected by storage. This method was thus effective in evaluating the taste of yellowtail muscle.

From Academia to Reality Check: A Theoretical Framework on the Use of Chemometric in Food Sciences

There is no doubt that the current knowledge in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, and mathematics have led to advances in our understanding about food and food systems. However, the so-called reductionist approach has dominated food research, hindering new developments and innovation in the field. In the last three decades, food science has moved into the digital and technological era, inducing several challenges resulting from the use of modern instrumental techniques, computing and algorithms incorporated to the exploration, mining, and description of data derived from this complexity. In this environment, food scientists need to be mindful of the issues (advantages and disadvantages) involved in the routine applications of chemometrics. The objective of this opinion paper is to give an overview of the key issues associated with the implementation of chemometrics in food research and development. Please note that specifics about the different methodologies and techniques are beyond the scope of this review.

Urine and fecal samples targeted metabolomics of carobs treated rats

Ceratonia siliqua, known as the carob, is considered to be of high nutritional value and of great economic significance due to its unique composition. The beneficial effects of carob against cancer, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, diarrhea, hyperlipidemia and gastro esophageal reflux disease are only a few of its therapeutic actions. Metabolomics-based analysis provides an ultimate tool, for the deciphering of nutritional intervention derived metabolic alterations. In the present study, 16 male Wistar rats were treated with carob powder for a 15-day period. Fecal and urine samples were collected at 5 time points (0, 1, 5, 10 and 15 days). By the applied HILIC-MS/MS method, 63 and 67 hydrophilic metabolites were detected in the fecal and urine samples, respectively, including amino acids, organic acids, sugars, vitamins and other endogenous compounds. A clear group separation based on fecal metabolome was observed after 1 day and 15 days treatment, while only a mild differentiation at day 1 was observed based on urine metabolome. Twenty-one fecal metabolites were responsible for the separation including amino acids and their derivatives, vitamins and organic acids. However, only 7 metabolites were altered in rat urine samples. Metabolic alterations in fecal samples could be attributed to physiological and biochemical adaptations derived from the nutritional intervention. Fecal targeted metabolomics were proven to be suitable for uplifting and highlighting such alterations.

The magic angle view to food: magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectroscopy in food science

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has been used in food science and nutritional studies for decades and is one of the major analytical platforms in metabolomics. Many foods are solid or at least semi-solid, which denotes that the molecular motions are restricted as opposed to in pure liquids. While the majority of NMR spectroscopy is performed on liquid samples and a solid material gives rise to constraints in terms of many chemical analyses, the magic angle thrillingly enables the application of NMR spectroscopy also on semi-solid and solid materials. This paper attempts to review how magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR is used from 'farm-to-fork' in food science.

Wine and grape marc spirits metabolomics

INTRODUCTION

Mass spectrometry (MS)-based and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic analyses play a key role in the field of metabolomics due to their important advantages. The use of metabolomics in wine and grape marc spirits allows a more holistic perspective in monitoring and gaining information on the making processes and thus it can assist on the improvement of their quality.

OBJECTIVES

This review surveys the latest metabolomics approaches for wine and grape marc spirits with a focus on the description of MS-based and NMR spectroscopic analytical techniques.

METHODS

We reviewed the literature to identify metabolomic studies of wine and grape marc spirits that were published until the end of 2017, with the key term combinations of 'metabolomics', 'wine' and 'grape marc spirits'. Through the reference lists from these studies, additional articles were identified.

RESULTS

The results of this review showed that the application of different metabolomics approaches has significantly increased the knowledge of wine metabolome and grape marc spirits; however there is not yet a single analytical platform that can completely separate, detect and identify all metabolites in one analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

The authentication and quality control of wines and grape marc spirits has to be taken with caution, since the product's chemical composition could be affected by many factors. Despite intrinsic limitations, NMR spectroscopy and MS based strategies remain the key analytical methods in metabolomics studies. Authenticity, traceability and health issues related to their consumption are the major research initiatives in wine and grape marc spirits metabolomics analysis.

System biology approach intersecting diet and cell metabolism with pathogenesis of brain disorders

The surge in meals high in calories has prompted an epidemic of metabolic disorders around the world such that the elevated incidence of obese and diabetic individuals is alarming. New research indicates that metabolic disorders pose a risk for neurological and psychiatric conditions including stroke, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, and depression, all of which have a metabolic component. These relationships are rooted to a dysfunctional interaction between molecular processes that regulate energy metabolism and synaptic plasticity. The strong adaptive force of dietary factors on shaping the brain during evolution can be manipulated to transform the interaction between cell bioenergetics and epigenome with the aptitude to promote long-lasting brain healthiness. A thorough understanding of the association between the broad action of nutrients and brain fitness requires high level data processing empowered with the capacity to integrate information from a multitude of molecular entities and pathways. Nutritional systems biology is emerging as a viable approach to elucidate the multiple molecular layers involved in information processing in cells, tissues, and organ systems in response to diet. Information about the wide range of cellular and molecular interactions elicited by foods on the brain and cognitive plasticity is crucial for the design of public health initiatives for curtailing the epidemic of metabolic and brain disorders.

Foodomics for human health: current status and perspectives

INTRODUCTION

In the post-genomic era, the opportunity to combine and integrate cutting-edge analytical platforms and data processing systems allowed the birth of foodomics, 'a discipline that studies the Food and Nutrition domains through the application of advanced omics technologies to improve consumer's well-being, health, and confidence'. Since then, this discipline has rapidly evolved and researchers are now facing the daunting tasks to meet consumers' needs in terms of food traceability, sustainability, quality, safety and integrity. Most importantly, today it is imperative to provide solid evidence of the mechanisms through which food can promote human health and well-being. Areas covered: In this review, the complex relationships connecting food, nutrition and human health will be discussed, with emphasis on the relapses for the development of functional foods and nutraceuticals, personalized nutrition approaches, and the study of the interplay among gut microbiota, diet and health/diseases. Expert commentary: Evidence has been provided supporting the role of various omic platforms in studying the health-promoting effects of food and customized dietary interventions. However, although associated to major analytical challenges, only the proper integration of multi-omics studies and the implementation of bioinformatics tools and databases will help translate findings from clinical practice into effective personalized treatment strategies.

Rice Bran Metabolome Contains Amino Acids, Vitamins & Cofactors, and Phytochemicals with Medicinal and Nutritional Properties

BACKGROUND

Rice bran is a functional food that has shown protection against major chronic diseases (e.g. obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer) in animals and humans, and these health effects have been associated with the presence of bioactive phytochemicals. Food metabolomics uses multiple chromatography and mass spectrometry platforms to detect and identify a diverse range of small molecules with high sensitivity and precision, and has not been completed for rice bran.

RESULTS

This study utilized global, non-targeted metabolomics to identify small molecules in rice bran, and conducted a comprehensive search of peer-reviewed literature to determine bioactive compounds. Three U.S. rice varieties (Calrose, Dixiebelle, and Neptune), that have been used for human dietary intervention trials, were assessed herein for bioactive compounds that have disease control and prevention properties. The profiling of rice bran by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) identified 453 distinct phytochemicals, 209 of which were classified as amino acids, cofactors & vitamins, and secondary metabolites, and were further assessed for bioactivity. A scientific literature search revealed 65 compounds with health properties, 16 of which had not been previously identified in rice bran. This suite of amino acids, cofactors & vitamins, and secondary metabolites comprised 46% of the identified rice bran metabolome, which substantially enhanced our knowledge of health-promoting rice bran compounds provided during dietary supplementation.

CONCLUSION

Rice bran metabolite profiling revealed a suite of biochemical molecules that can be further investigated and exploited for multiple nutritional therapies and medical food applications. These bioactive compounds may also be biomarkers of dietary rice bran intake. The medicinal compounds associated with rice bran can function as a network across metabolic pathways and this metabolite network may occur via additive and synergistic effects between compounds in the food matrix.

Targeted profiling of hydrophilic constituents of royal jelly by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

In the present work a Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography-tandem Mass Spectrometry (HILIC-MS/MS) method was developed for the efficient separation and quantification of a large number of small polar bioactive molecules in Royal Jelly. The method was validated and provided satisfactory detection sensitivity for 88 components. Quantification was proven to be precise for 64 components exhibiting good linearity, recoveries R% >90% for the majority of analytes and intra- and inter-day precision from 0.14 to 20% RSD. Analysis of 125 fresh royal jelly samples of Greek origin provided useful information on royal jelly's hydrophilic bioactive components revealing lysine, ribose, proline, melezitose and glutamic acid to be in high abundance. In addition the occurrence of 18 hydrophilic nutrients which have not been reported previously as royal jelly constituents is shown.

Muscle transcriptome analysis reveals molecular pathways and biomarkers involved in extreme ultimate pH and meat defect occurrence in chicken

The processing ability and sensory quality of chicken breast meat are highly related to its ultimate pH (pHu), which is mainly determined by the amount of glycogen in the muscle at death. To unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying glycogen and meat pHu variations and to identify predictive biomarkers of these traits, a transcriptome profiling analysis was performed using an Agilent custom chicken 8 × 60 K microarray. The breast muscle gene expression patterns were studied in two chicken lines experimentally selected for high (pHu+) and low (pHu-) pHu values of the breast meat. Across the 1,436 differentially expressed (DE) genes found between the two lines, many were involved in biological processes related to muscle development and remodelling and carbohydrate and energy metabolism. The functional analysis showed an intensive use of carbohydrate metabolism to produce energy in the pHu- line, while alternative catabolic pathways were solicited in the muscle of the pHu+ broilers, compromising their muscle development and integrity. After a validation step on a population of 278 broilers using microfluidic RT-qPCR, 20 genes were identified by partial least squares regression as good predictors of the pHu, opening new perspectives of screening broilers likely to present meat quality defects.

In vitro Metabolomic Approaches to Investigating the Potential Biological Effects of Phenolic Compounds: An Update

Dietary phenolic compounds (PCs) have been receiving interest for their presumed roles in disease prevention. However, there is a lack of studies on the underlying molecular mechanisms. In this regard, in vitrometabolomic approaches are suitable for the investigation of the molecular changes in response to PC exposure. Up to date, the biological effects of PCs have only been examined for PCs from rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), olive oil, and resveratrol using cell-based metabolomic approach, although transcriptomic and/or proteomic studies have also been conducted in the same in vitro cell experiment in some cases. Our integral analysis of the reviewed studies suggest that PCs may be involved not only in basic cellular processes or macro- and micro-nutrient metabolism, but also in specific metabolic pathways that have been thoroughly investigated. These modulated pathways could have a clinical impact on neurodegenerative diseases, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. In conclusion, the in vitro metabolomic approaches provide additional information of the molecular mechanisms involved in disease risk reduction of dietary PCs. In order to elucidate the mechanisms of action of PCs, more metabolomic cell-based studies are needed and testing the physiological conjugated forms of PCs in these cell systems could be of special interest.

Spatial and Temporal Localization of Flavonoid Metabolites in Strawberry Fruit (Fragaria × ananassa)

Flavonoids are important metabolites in strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa) because they accomplish an extensive collection of physiological functions and are valuable for human health. However, their localization within the fruit tissue has not been extensively explored. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometric imaging (MALDI-MSI) was employed to shed light on the spatial distribution of flavonoids during fruit development. One wild-type (WT) and two transgenic lines were compared, wherein the transgenic enzymes anthocyanidin reductase (ANRi) and flavonol synthase (FLSi), respectively, were down-regulated using an RNAi-based silencing approach. In most cases, fruit development led to a reduction of the investigated flavonoids in the fruit tissue; as a consequence, they were exclusively present in the skin of mature red fruits. In the case of (epi)catechin dimer, both the ANRi and the WT phenotypes revealed low levels in mature red fruits, whereas the ANRi line bore the lowest relative concentration, as analyzed by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization multiple-step mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MSⁿ).

Metabolomics, Nutrition, and Potential Biomarkers of Food Quality, Intake, and Health Status

Diet, dietary patterns, and other environmental factors such as exposure to toxins are playing an important role in the prevention/development of many diseases, like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and consequently on the health status of individuals. A major challenge nowadays is to identify novel biomarkers to detect as early as possible metabolic dysfunction and to predict evolution of health status in order to refine nutritional advices to specific population groups. Omics technologies such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics coupled with statistical and bioinformatics tools have already shown great potential in this research field even if so far only few biomarkers have been validated. For the past two decades, important analytical techniques have been developed to detect as many metabolites as possible in human biofluids such as urine, blood, and saliva. In the field of food science and nutrition, many studies have been carried out for food authenticity, quality, and safety, as well as for food processing. Furthermore, metabolomic investigations have been carried out to discover new early biomarkers of metabolic dysfunction and predictive biomarkers of developing pathologies (obesity, metabolic syndrome, type-2 diabetes, etc.). Great emphasis is also placed in the development of methodologies to identify and validate biomarkers of nutrients exposure.

Why Are Omics Technologies Important to Understanding the Role of Nutrition in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases?

For many years, there has been confusion about the role that nutrition plays in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). It is apparent that good dietary advice for one individual may prove inappropriate for another. As with many diseases, genome-wide association studies across large collaborative groups have been important in revealing the role of genetics in IBD, with more than 200 genes associated with susceptibility to the disease. These associations provide clues to explain the differences in nutrient requirements among individuals. In addition to genes directly involved in the control of inflammation, a number of the associated genes play roles in modulating the gut microbiota. Cell line models enable the generation of hypotheses as to how various bioactive dietary components might be especially beneficial for certain genetic groups. Animal models are necessary to mimic aspects of the complex aetiology of IBD, and provide an important link between tissue culture studies and human trials. Once we are sufficiently confident of our hypotheses, we can then take modified diets to an IBD population that is stratified according to genotype. Studies in IBD patients fed a Mediterranean-style diet have been important in validating our hypotheses and as a proof-of-principle for the application of these sensitive omics technologies to aiding in the control of IBD symptoms.

Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside: Physical-Chemistry, Foodomics and Health Effects

Anthocyanins (ACNs) are plant secondary metabolites from the flavonoid family. Red to blue fruits are major dietary sources of ACNs (up to 1 g/100 g FW), being cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (Cy3G) one of the most widely distributed. Cy3G confers a red hue to fruits, but its content in raspberries and strawberries is low. It has a good radical scavenging capacity (RSC) against superoxide but not hydroxyl radicals, and its oxidative potential is pH-dependent (58 mV/pH unit). After intake, Cy3G can be metabolized (phases I, II) by oral epithelial cells, absorbed by the gastric epithelium (1%-10%) and it is gut-transformed (phase II &amp; microbial metabolism), reaching the bloodstream (<1%) and urine (about 0.02%) in low amounts. In humans and Caco-2 cells, Cy3G's major metabolites are protocatechuic acid and phloroglucinaldehyde which are also subjected to entero-hepatic recycling, although caffeic acid and peonidin-3-glucoside seem to be strictly produced in the large bowel and renal tissues. Solid evidence supports Cy3G's bioactivity as DNA-RSC, gastro protective, anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic chemo-preventive and as an epigenetic factor, exerting protection against Helicobacter pylori infection, age-related diseases, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome and oral cancer. Most relevant mechanisms include RSC, epigenetic action, competitive protein-binding and enzyme inhibition. These and other novel aspects on Cy3G's physical-chemistry, foodomics, and health effects are discussed.

The molecular mechanism of the cholesterol-lowering effect of dill and kale: The influence of the food matrix components

Foods are complex matrices containing many different compounds, all of which contribute to the overall effect of the food itself, although they have different mechanisms of action. While evaluating the effect of bioactive compounds, it is important to consider that the use of a single compound can hide the effects of the other molecules that can act synergistically or antagonistically in the same food. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of food matrix components by comparing two edible plants (dill and kale) with cholesterol-lowering potential and similar contents of their most representative bioactive, quercetin. The molecular effects of the extracts were evaluated in HepG2 cells by measuring the expression of sterol-regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR) and low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) at the mRNA and protein level. The results reported here show that both extracts reduced the cellular cholesterol level with a similar trend and magnitude. It is conceivable that the slightly different results are due to the diverse composition of minor bioactive compounds, indicating that only by considering food as a whole is it possible to understand the complex relationship between food, nutrition, and health in a foodomics vision.

Milk of Greek sheep and goat breeds; characterization by means of proteomics

Over the past 30years there has been a growing interest to unravel the dynamic framework of the milk proteome, and now that available technology is mature enough to enable techniques of protein fractionation and identification, this process is on-going. Due to its rarity and unique biological traits, as well as its growing financial value, milk of dairy Greek animals is continuously attracting interest from both the scientific community and industry. In the present study we employed cutting-edge proteomics methodologies to investigate and characterize, in depth, the proteome of whey from all pure-breed Greek sheep and goats. A mean of >500 protein groups were identified in whey from each breed of each animal species, reporting for the first time the proteome dataset of this precious biological material. Given its high nutritional value, the protein properties exposed herein will govern future steps in optimizing characteristics and features of sheep and goat milk products.

SIGNIFICANCE

In the present study we employed cutting-edge proteomics methodologies to investigate and characterize, in depth, the proteome of milk from all pure-breed Greek sheep and goats. A mean of >500 protein groups were identified in milk whey from each breed of each animal species, reporting for the first time the proteome dataset of this precious biological material. Given its high nutritional value, the protein properties exposed herein will govern future steps in optimizing characteristics and features of sheep and goat milk products.

(1)H NMR metabolomic profiling of the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) from the Adriatic Sea (SE Italy): A comparison with warty crab (Eriphia verrucosa), and edible crab (Cancer pagurus)

The metabolomic profile of blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) captured in the Acquatina lagoon (SE Italy) was compared to an autochthonous (Eriphia verrucosa) and to a commercial crab species (Cancer pagurus). Both lipid and aqueous extracts of raw claw muscle were analyzed by (1)H NMR spectroscopy and MVA (multivariate data analysis). Aqueous extracts were characterized by a higher inter-specific discriminating power compared to lipid fractions. Specifically, higher levels of glutamate, alanine and glycine characterized the aqueous extract of C. sapidus, while homarine, lactate, betaine and taurine characterized E. verrucosa and C. pagurus. On the other hand, only the signals of monounsaturated fatty acids distinguished the lipid profiles of the three crab species. These results support the commercial exploitation and the integration of the blue crab in human diet of European countries as an healthy and valuable seafood.

Nutritional systems biology of type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) has become an increasingly challenging health burden due to its high morbidity, mortality, and heightened prevalence worldwide. Although dietary and nutritional imbalances have long been recognized as key risk factors for T2D, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The advent of nutritional systems biology, a field that aims to elucidate the interactions between dietary nutrients and endogenous molecular entities in disease-related tissues, offers unique opportunities to unravel the complex mechanisms underlying the health-modifying capacities of nutritional molecules. The recent revolutionary advances in omics technologies have particularly empowered this incipient field. In this review, we discuss the applications of multi-omics approaches toward a systems-level understanding of how dietary patterns and particular nutrients modulate the risk of T2D. We focus on nutritional studies utilizing transcriptomics, epigenomomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and microbiomics, and integration of diverse omics technologies. We also summarize the potential molecular mechanisms through which nutritional imbalances contribute to T2D pathogenesis based on these studies. Finally, we discuss the remaining challenges of nutritional systems biology and how the field can be optimized to further our understanding of T2D and guide disease management via nutritional interventions.

MALDI mass spectrometric imaging meets “omics”: recent advances in the fruitful marriage

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometric imaging (MALDI MSI) is a method that allows the investigation of the molecular content of surfaces, in particular, tissues, within its morphological context.

Metabolomic profiling of Rhodosporidium toruloides grown on glycerol for carotenoid production during different growth phases

Carotenoid production from three strains of Rhodosporidium toruloides grown on glycerol was studied. A time-dependent metabolomics approach was used to understand its metabolism on glycerol and mechanism for carotenoid production in three strains during different growth phases (1, 4, 7, and 12 days). Strain CBS 5490 was the highest carotenoid producer (28.5 mg/L) and had a unique metabolic profile. In this strain, metabolites belonging to the TCA cycle and amino acids were produced in lower amounts, as compared to the other strains. On the other hand, it produced the highest amounts of carotenoid and fatty acid metabolites. This indicated that the lower production of the TCA cycle and amino acid metabolites promoted energy and metabolic flux toward the carotenoid and fatty acid synthesis metabolic pathways. This study shows that metabolomic profiling is a useful tool to gain insight into the metabolic pathways in the cell and to shed light on the different molecular mechanisms between strains.

Foodomics for healthy nutrition

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To understand how the principles of foodomics could improve the assessment of the nutritional status and needs.

RECENT FINDINGS

The knowledge that metabolic pathways may be altered in individuals with genetic variants in the presence of certain dietary exposures offers great potential for personalized nutrition advice, and epigenetics and nutrigenetics have been used to assess the need and status of specific nutrients. MicroRNAs profiling and genome-wide association studies have also contributed. Since nutritional effects of complex diets emerge only if dietary assessments are validated, nutrimetabolomics offers the validation tools on the basis of food intake biomarkers.

SUMMARY

Apart from the provision, via a high-throughput approach, of objective measurable parameters to be used as biomarkers, a consensus must be reached on the definition of health and wellness. Health (and wellness) can be considered a position having specific coordinates in a multiple-dimension space, and many factors contribute to our movements in this space. Foodomics is the science aiming at studying, through the evaluation of different biomarkers, the entity and the direction of the movements across the healthy or unhealthy space, developing models that are able to explain how food components, food, diet and lifestyle can influence our trajectory toward the healthy condition. Only considering the 'health space' as a multidimensional one, we have the possibility of understanding the complex relationship linking nutrition and health, and of reaching healthier conditions by personalized balanced diets in a foodomics vision.