Sweden-UK-Singapore Partnership on Health Effects of Plant-Based Foods

The SPARK project unites leading institutions from Sweden (RISE), the UK (Imperial College London, University of Reading, BEZOS Centre), and Singapore (A*STAR) to address five key challenges related to health effects of plant-based foods and diets:

1.  Health & Environmental Impact: Research on the long-term health effects and environmental impacts of plant-rich foods and diets is limited. Robust evidence is needed to inform policy and dietary recommendations.
2. Nutritional Quality & Bioavailability: Nutrient content and bioavailability (e.g., iron, zinc, protein) vary; processing may improve absorption but needs further study.
3. Consumer Acceptance & Flavour: Taste and texture strongly influence consumer choices, yet many products underperform, limiting adoption. Sensory improvements are essential.
4. Processing & Health Perception: Public debate persists around processed plant-based foods. Evidence is needed to guide policy and build trust.
5. Health-Environment Trade-offs: Healthy diets often have a lower environmental impact, but conflicts between health and sustainability goals may arise and must be addressed.

SPARK contributes to research and innovation to develop plant-rich foods and diets that are nutritious, appealing, and environmentally sustainable. The project aims to build a long-term international partnership that drives advancements in plant-based food innovation. The collaboration spans health, nutrition, flavour, sustainability, and consumer science, generating insights across cultural contexts. SPARK formalizes and scales up both existing and new collaborations, strengthening Sweden’s global role in sustainable food systems and health.

During the project, our goal is to initiate new sub-projects, and we welcome additional collaboration partners. Please feel free to contact us for more information!