Health Food Research Articles

Sex-Specific Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Obese Individuals.

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) has long been associated with several health benefits, including a reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. The MedDiet is characterized by a high consumption of foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and olive oil, along with a moderate intake of red meat and red wine with meals. Some studies report significant differences between men and women in susceptibility to obesity, with women at a higher prevalence of obesity than men. One unexplored aspect, however, concerns the sex difference in MedDiet adherence, which could be influenced by various factors, such as health perceptions, food preferences, and cultural influences. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness and impact of MedDiet adherence in men and women, with a focus on its influence on health and well-being, as well as its ability to promote sex equity in healthcare outcomes. Moreover, we aim to measure the overall health improvements in men and women participating in a MedDiet program, including changes in body composition and overall quality of life. This study highlights that the MedDiet is associated with more significant body weight loss in women, although their increase in MedDiet adherence was lower than in men. Trial registration: NCT01890070. Registered 24 June 2013.

Asian Carp: Generation Z prefer Transparency over Branding

Asian carp is an invasive species of fish in the Midwest and southern United States. Asian carp has been rebranded as “Copi” for human consumption. Copi is nutritious and a great source of protein and omega 3 fatty acids, and costs much less than most other domestic fish. The purpose of this study was to evaluate sensory perceptions and attitudes of Generation Z college students to the newly branded fish. The study utilized a quasi-experimental design carried out with three treatment groups to observe the effects of product rebranding on the taste perception of Asian Carp, rebranded as Copi. Sensory analysis results indicated no significant differences in the three treatment groups (white fish-control, Copi-experimental, and Asian carp-experimental). In fact, Asian carp had higher mean scores than the control, as well as the newly branded Copi. The importance of Health, Environment, and Local Foods had significant effects on students’ willingness to buy sustainable, local fish. The results of this study are important for marketing Copi, aka Asian carp for human consumption. Keywords: Asian carp, sensory analysis, Copi, Gen Z, branding

Manufacturing processes, additional nutritional value and versatile food applications of fresh microalgae Spirulina.

Spirulina is capable of using light energy and fixing carbon dioxide to synthesize a spectrum of organic substances, including proteins, polysaccharides, and unsaturated fatty acids, making it one of the most coveted food resources for humanity. Conventionally, Spirulina products are formulated into algal powder tablets or capsules. However, the processing and preparation of these products, involving screw pump feeding, extrusion, high-speed automation, and high-temperature dewatering, often result in the rupture of cell filaments, cell fragmentation, and the unfortunate loss of vital nutrients. In contrast, fresh Spirulina, cultivated within a closed photobioreactor and transformed into an edible delight through harvesting, washing, filtering, and sterilizing, presents a refreshing taste and odor. It is gradually earning acceptance as a novel health food among the general public. This review delves into the manufacturing processes of fresh Spirulina, analyzes its nutritional advantages over conventional algal powder, and ultimately prospects the avenues for fresh Spirulina's application in modern food processing. The aim is to provide valuable references for the research and development of new microalgal products and to propel the food applications of microalgae forward.

Empowering youth as agents of change: Gaps and opportunities for meaningful youth engagement (MAYE) for sustainable nutrition, climate and public health programmes.

Addressing the intersection of food insecurity, malnutrition and climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa requires meaningful adolescent and youth engagement to drive sustainable change. Drawing on empirical evidence and collective experiences from youth-led initiatives and coalitions, four gaps and opportunities to better involve youth in programmes are discussed, including, the need to: (1) standardise the definition of youth to improve programme design and data harmonisation, (2) provide capacity building and mentorship for youth leadership in health service delivery, (3) foster youth leadership and multisectoral collaboration in food and health systems and (4) enhance capacity development for non-youth actors to support genuine youth participation. This viewpoint underscores the importance of involving African youth in public health nutrition, climate change and food security programmes design and implementation-as drivers of change to addressing hunger and climate crises. By centering youth voices and experiences, programmes and policies can better address African communities' complex challenges, fostering inclusivity, sustainability and resilience in achieving better nutrition and public health programmes and outcomes.

Social and Environmental Determinants of Health and Cardio-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome–Related Mortality

It is not well understood if and how various social and environmental determinants of health (SEDoH) are associated with mortality rates related to cardio-kidney-metabolic syndrome (CKM) across the US. To study the magnitude of the association strength of SEDoH with CKM-related mortality at the county level across the US. This cross-sectional, retrospective, population-based study used aggregate county-level data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER) data portal from 2010-2019. Data analysis occurred from September 2023 to January 2024. A total of 7 diverse SEDoH were chosen, including median annual household income, percentage of racial and ethnic minority residents per county, fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) concentrations, high-school completion rate, primary health care access, food insecurity, and rurality rate. The primary outcome was county-level age-adjusted mortality rate (aaMR) attributable to CKM. The association of county-level CKM-related aaMR with the 7 SEDoH was analyzed using geographically weighted models and the model median coefficients for each covariate studied. Data from 3101 of 3243 counties (95.6%) were analyzed. There was substantial variation in SEDoH between states and counties. The overall pooled median (IQR) aaMR (2010-2019) in the US was 505.5 (441.3-578.9) per 100 000 residents. Most counties in the lower half of the US had rates much higher than the pooled median (eg, Southern US median [IQR] aaMR, 537.3 [466.0-615.9] per 100 000 residents). CKM-related mortality was positively associated with the food insecurity rate (median [IQR] β = 6.78 [2.78-11.56]) and PM2.5 concentrations (median [IQR] β = 5.52 [-11.06 to 19.70]), while it was negatively associated with median annual household income (median [IQR] β = -0.002 [-0.003 to -0.001]), rurality (median [IQR] β = -0.32 [-0.67 to 0.02]), high school completion rate (median [IQR] β = -1.89 [-4.54 to 0.10]), racial and ethnic minority rate (median [IQR] β = -0.66 [-1.85 to 0.89]), and primary health care access rate (median [IQR] β = -0.18 [-0.35 to 0.07]). In this cross-sectional study of county-level data across the US, there were substantial geographical differences in the magnitude of the association of SEDoH with CKM-related aaMR. These findings may provide guidance for deciding local health care policy.

Redefining cross-resistance, co-resistance and co-selection: beyond confusion?

The similarity of current definitions of 'cross-resistance' and 'co-resistance' continues to cause confusion both in the scientific community as well as in understanding policies and in particular when looking at resistance from a risk assessment perspective. Further, lack of harmonized definitions of these terms in the regulatory space is challenging for interpretation. The purpose of this article is to: (i) provide an overview of the ambiguity in existing terminology related to cross-resistance, co-resistance and co-selection; (ii) emphasize the challenges created by the use of poor terminology in research and scientific literature; and (iii) propose a clear set of harmonized definitions that could be put into use through international regulatory agencies and institutions, such as the World Health Organization, Food and Drug Administration, European Medicines Agency, Center for Disease Control, Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products, World Organization for Animal Health/Office International des Epizooties and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Components of Iron Deficiency Anemia: Understanding Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a prevalent global health concern, marked by a significant reduction in iron levels, leading to diminished hemoglobin production and compromised oxygen transport. This condition disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including women of reproductive age, infants, and individuals in low-resource settings, resulting in a multitude of health complications. The pathophysiology of IDA involves complex interactions between dietary iron intake, increased physiological demands, chronic blood loss, and malabsorption syndromes. Clinically, IDA manifests through symptoms such as fatigue, pallor, and cognitive impairments, necessitating a thorough diagnostic approach that includes complete blood counts, iron studies, and reticulocyte counts. Effective management strategies encompass dietary modifications, iron supplementation, and treatment of underlying causes. Furthermore, preventive measures—such as public health initiatives and food fortification—are crucial in addressing the root causes of IDA. Emerging research suggests innovative approaches, including bioavailable iron sources and genetic studies, to enhance prevention and treatment efforts. This review comprehensively examines the components of IDA, providing insights into its pathophysiology, diagnosis, management, and future directions for research and intervention. Keywords Iron deficiency anemia (IDA), Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management, Dietary iron.

Pesticide Reduction through Organic Farming for Promoting Public Health Management and Food Security

There is a growing global interest in sustainable food consumption to ensure food security. One significant factor driving this demand is the belief that consuming organic food affects Public Health (PH). This research examines the historical context of sustainable agriculture. This article specifically examines the impact of sustainable agriculture on health-related substances, pesticide residues, and contaminants in crops. It also explores the connections between organic food and health indicators. In Organic Farming (OF), the use of pesticides is often restricted or non-existent, which is different from Traditional Farming (TF) methods that heavily depend on pesticides to preserve crops. The notable disparities in pesticide usage between the two agricultural systems profoundly affect the comparative nutritional exposure, hazards, and ecological impacts associated with pesticides. Pesticide Usage Monitoring (PUM) information has been used to compare pesticide usage across organically certified and adjacent traditional farms for tomato crops. This work suggested methods for PR by promoting the widespread use of organic agricultural techniques. Additionally, emphasis on many alternatives available within organic food supply chains to further minimize the usage of pesticides, contact, and adverse effects on workers has been proposed to provide food security.

Parliamentarily speaking: A thematic analysis of Kerala Legislative Assembly questions relating to health from 2016 to 2021.

Legislative assemblies often provide a platform for legislators to question the government during question hours, which are crucial for governance However, question hours remain understudied, especially when addressing health policy and systems related issues in lower- and middle-income countries. This study assesses the 14th Kerala Legislative Assembly questions, focusing on health-related areas to provide insights for health policy formulation and decision-making processes. We sourced and transcribed all starred questions (346) related to health that were answered by the health minister in the 14th Legislative Assembly between 2016 and 2021 from the archives of the assembly website. We conducted a thematic analysis of these questions and mapped them into various themes, guided by the World Health Organization building blocks framework. About 7.8% of all questions (N = 4404) were related to health (N = 346). Of these questions, the majority were directly related to service delivery (43.4%), followed by health information (16.5%). Health financing, food safety, and human resources were the least discussed topics throughout the assessed period within the state. The legislators primarily focussed on health services and health information, with less attention given to health financing, food safety, and human resources regardless of constituency or political affiliation. This study underscores the need for a balanced approach to public health issues, highlighting the importance of legislators to priortizing health services and information, while also addressing health financing, food safety, and human resources. This would enable a robust and resilient public health system to effectively address diverse health concerns.

Gross lesions associated with Sarcocystis miescheriana in a wild boar hunted for human consumption: the importance of trained hunters to ensure animal health surveillance and food safety

Sarcocystis is a genus of protozoa with a worldwide distribution infecting a wide range of animals, including humans. Wild boars can harbor at least two species of Sarcocystis, that is, the zoonotic Sarcocystis suihominis, using humans as definitive hosts, and Sarcocystis miescheriana, for which wild and domestic canids serve as definitive hosts. In Portugal, hunting holds significant economic and social importance, and wild boars are among the most appreciated hunted species. As the consumption of wild boar meat can expose humans to several foodborne pathogens, the presence of trained hunters can make a difference in ensuring animal health surveillance and food safety. Herein, we report the detection of macroscopic cystic lesions associated with S. miescheriana in a wild boar hunted for human consumption, resulting in carcass condemnation. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the presence of S. miescheriana in wild boar tissues has never been associated with macroscopic pathological alterations before. Although S. miescheriana cannot infect humans, carcasses affected by grossly visible pathological changes must be declared unfit for consumption. Therefore, our finding points out the potential economic damage associated with carcass rejection due to the presence of gross lesions associated with generalized sarcocystosis. Nonetheless, further studies are required to investigate these alterations that currently appear to be occasional findings.

Research on electron beam irradiation in the multiscale structure of starch and its related applications: A review.

Electron beam irradiation (EBI), as a typical "green" emerging technology, can effectively alter the functional properties of starch by influencing its microstructure. This alteration enables starch to meet the current demands of consumers and the market for "health food." This paper reviews studies on modifying various starches using EBI and describes the changes in microstructure, physicochemical properties, and functional properties induced by this method. Additionally, the effects of EBI on starch-containing food products are discussed, along with issues to be addressed and research gaps in the synergistic treatment of modified starch. It is noted that the source, irradiation dose, and irradiation time all influence the effectiveness of starch modification. Given the characteristics of EBI technology, integrating physical, chemical, and biological modification methods can optimize the modification process and enhance efficiency. This technology can potentially diversify modified starch varieties and expand their applications. Furthermore, there remains significant research potential in producing modified starch using EBI technology and applying it to the food industry.

Eco-friendly one-step egg white gel preparation for sensitive detection of 13 trichothecenes in oats using UHPLC-MS/MS.

Oat products have gained widespread recognition as a health food due to their rich and balanced nutritional profile and convenience. However, the unique matrix composition of oats, which differs significantly from other cereals, presents specific challenges for mycotoxin analysis. This study presents an ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method enhanced with an innovative egg white gel pretreatment for the simultaneous analysis of 13 regulated and unregulated trichothecenes in oats. The method demonstrated excellent performance with high accuracy (> 87.5%), repeatability (< 5.7%), and reproducibility (< 8.1%). Analysis of 100 commercial oat products revealed a concerning detection rate (78%) for at least one of the 11 trichothecenes investigated. Notably, deoxynivalenol, exceeding the standard limit in 2% of samples, exhibited the highest detection rate (62%). Additionally, concerning co-occurrence patterns and positive correlations were observed, highlighting potential synergistic effects. The first-time detection of unregulated mycotoxins (T-2 triol, 4,15-diacetoxyscirpenol, 15-acetoxyscirpenol, and neosolaniol) underscores the need for comprehensive monitoring. This method, while developed for oats, shows potential for broader application to other cereals, though further investigation and confirmation are necessary. These findings suggest a potentially underestimated risk of trichothecenes in oats, necessitating continuous monitoring to ensure consumer safety.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially DHA and EPA, remold gut microbiota to suppress inflammation in rabbits with atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis (AS) caused by a high-fat diet becomes a critical cause of cardiovascular diseases, which has been regarded as an urgent public health problem. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 PUFAs) have many beneficial effects on human health. However, in recent years, the critical role of gut microbiota in atherosclerosis has been gradually proposed, and the impact of omega-3 PUFAs on cardiovascular diseases via gut microbiota in rabbits remains unknown. Likewise, the role of omega-3 PUFAs in regulating endothelial lesions, visceral injury, and vascular inflammation caused by high-fat diet-induced trimethylamine-nitrogen oxide (TMAO) has not been reported. Here, we investigated the effects of omega-3 PUFAs administered orally on atherosclerosis via an atherosclerotic rabbit model induced by a high-fat diet. The results showed that omega-3 PUFAs obtained from deep-sea fish oil can alleviate high-fat diet-induced atherosclerosis by inhibiting the increase of plasma TMAO and the formation of liver foam cells, reducing inflammatory factors, fat deposition, and plasma lipid levels and suppressing organ damage. Furthermore, gut microbiota disrupted by a high-fat diet were remodeled in rabbits treated with omega-3 PUFAs. These results further confirm that omega-3 PUFAs are promising nutritional and medical health foods that can be supplemented daily to prevent cardiovascular diseases.

Plant-Based Diet and Survival Among Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.

Plant-based diet is associated with better survival among patients with non-metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC), but its association in metastatic CRC is unknown. Using an NCI-sponsored trial (CALGB/SWOG 80405), we included 1,284 patients who completed validated food frequency questionnaires at the initiation of metastatic CRC treatment. We calculated three indices: overall plant-based diet index (PDI), which emphasized consumption of all plant foods while reducing animal food intake; healthful plant-based diet index (hPDI), which emphasized consumption of healthful plant foods such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables; and unhealthful plant-based diet index (uPDI), which emphasized consumption of less healthful plant foods such as fruit juices, refined grains, and sugar-sweetened beverages. We estimated the associations of three indices (quintiles) with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression. We observed 1,100 deaths and 1,204 progression events (median follow-up: 6.1 years). Compared to the lowest quintile, patients in the highest quintile of PDI had significantly better survival (HR for OS: 0.76 [0.62-0.94], P trend=0.004; PFS: 0.81 [0.66-0.99], P trend=0.09). Similar findings were observed for hPDI (HR for OS: 0.81 [0.65-1.01], P trend=0.053; PFS: 0.80 [0.65-0.98], P trend=0.04), whereas uPDI was not associated with worse survival (HR for OS: 1.16 [0.94-1.43], P trend=0.21; PFS: 1.12 [0.92-1.36], P trend=0.42). Our study suggests that plant-based diet, especially when rich in healthful plant foods, is associated with better survival among patients with metastatic CRC. The cause of survival benefits warrants further investigation.

Urban Food Deserts and Cardiovascular Health: Evaluating the Impact of Nutritional Inequities on Elderly Populations in Santiago

This study examines the link between food deserts and cardiovascular health in older adults in Santiago’s Metropolitan Region, Chile. As the population ages and chronic diseases rise, understanding the impact of food accessibility on health is essential. Using multiscale geographically weighted regression, we analyzed data from the Cardiovascular Health Program, socioeconomic indicators, and food desert maps, sourced from the Chilean Ministry of Health and other databases. Spatial analysis, including Voronoi diagrams, assessed the influence of food deserts on health outcomes. Findings show a significant correlation between limited access to healthy foods and higher cardiovascular disease rates, especially in economically disadvantaged areas. The regression model is significant to contribute to the explanation of disease prevalence, emphasizing the impact of food availability on health. This study highlights the importance of considering spatial factors in urban planning and public health policies. By showcasing the role of food environments in health disparities, it advocates for integrated health interventions. Targeted urban planning to address food deserts can enhance access to healthy foods, improving cardiovascular health and well-being among Santiago’s elderly. The findings provide insights for policymakers to create healthier urban environments and stress the need for sustainable food systems to support public health.

Food is Medicine Interventions and Climate Change

Food is Medicine (FiM), also known as Food as Medicine, integrates food and nutrition interventions into health care delivery with the primary goal to improve population health and address diet-related health conditions. To date, there has been little focus on the relation between FiM and climate change despite FiM’s involvement with 2 key drivers of climate change: health care delivery and food systems. FiM may be able to advance lifestyle medicine and population health objectives, as well as mitigate some of the health care and food-related drivers of climate change, by focusing on 4 key areas: (1) Increasing the absolute number and proportion of patients who follow plant-based diets; (2) reducing food waste; (3) reducing unnecessary health care utilization; and (4) lowering transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions related to food procurement. Measuring the ecological impact of FiM alongside clinical, utilization, and financial measures will require a different analytical approach than that used traditionally in health care. Ultimately, thoughtful, data-driven, and urgent interventions that span the food and health care sectors are needed to sustainably support not only FiM, but human, environmental, and planetary health as well.

Ultraprocessed food intake and body mass index change among youths: a prospective cohort study

BackgroundSuboptimal diets may promote undesired weight gain in youths, with high ultraprocessed food (UPF) intake becoming a significant concern in the United States. ObjectivesWe evaluated the association between UPF intake and body mass index [BMI (in kg/m2)] change in large United States youth cohorts. MethodsParticipants included children and adolescents (7–17 y) from the Growing Up Today Study (GUTS1 and GUTS2) who completed baseline and ≥1 follow-up diet and anthropometrics assessment (GUTS1 1996–2001: N = 15,797; GUTS2 2004–2011: N = 9720). Follow-up years were based on diet assessment availability. UPFs were categorized using the Nova system, with intakes evaluated as the cumulative mean percent energy from UPFs and subgroups. BMI was assessed using self-reported body weight/height. Changes in BMI annually and over 2, 4–5, and 7 y in association with UPF intake were examined using multivariable repeated-measure linear mixed models. ResultsAt baseline, the mean percentage of energy from UPFs was 49.9% in GUTS1 and 49.5% in GUTS2 participants; mean BMI was 18.7 and 19.8, respectively. After multivariable adjustments for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, each 10% increment in UPF intake was associated with a 0.01 (95% confidence interval: 0.003, 0.03) increase annually and a 0.07 (0.01, 0.13) increase over 5 y in GUTS1 participants. In GUTS2, increases were 0.02 (0.003, 0.04) annually and 0.09 (0.01, 0.18) over 4 y. Among GUTS1, statistically significant annual BMI increases of 0.02–0.07 were associated with elevated intake of ultraprocessed breakfast cereals, savory snacks, and ready-to-eat/heat foods, especially pizza, burgers, and sandwiches. No association was found between UPF intake and overweight/obesity risk. ConclusionsA higher UPF intake was associated with a modest yet significant increase in BMI in large prospective cohorts of United States youths, calling for public health efforts to promote healthful food intake among youths to prevent excessive weight gain.

Taste or health: The impact of packaging cues on consumer decision-making in healthy foods

According to the theory of dietary regulation, consumers frequently encounter conflicts between healthiness and tastiness when selecting healthy foods. This study explores how packaging cue that highlight “tasty” versus “healthy” affect consumers’ intentions to purchase healthy food. After an Implicit Association Test (IAT) confirmed a perceived lack of tastiness in health foods in the Preliminary study, Study 1 analyzed pricing and packaging details of the top 200 most-popular items in each of the ten healthy food categories on a major online shopping platform. Results showed that products with taste-focused cues commanded higher prices, indicating stronger consumer acceptance of healthy foods marketed as delicious. To address the causality limitations of observational studies, Study 2 used an experimental design to directly measure the impact of these cues on purchase intentions and perceptions of energy, healthiness, and tastiness. Findings revealed that taste-focused cues significantly boosted purchase intentions compared to health-focused cues, although they also diminished the perceived healthiness of the products. Moreover, in the control group exposed to unhealthy food options, health-emphasized packaging also increased purchase intentions, indicating that consumers seek a balance between healthiness and tastiness, rather than prioritizing health alone. Study 3 further explored the impact of cognitive load over these cue influences, revealing a heightened inclination among consumers to purchase healthy products with taste-focused cue under high cognitive load state. These insights have direct implications for food packaging design, suggesting that emphasizing a balance of taste and health benefits can effectively enhance consumer engagement. The study, which conducted in China, also opens avenues for future research to explore similar effects, maybe in different cultural contexts, different consumer groups, and under varied cognitive conditions.

Factors Influencing Consumption of Animal-Based Dairy and Plant-Based Milk Alternatives in Australia

In the transition to more environmentally sustainable food systems, the production and consumption of resource-intensive animal-based dairy foods (ABD) remains a talking point. Given the power of consumer choice in transforming food systems, understanding consumer priorities surrounding ABD consumption and their plant-based counterparts is fundamental. Using data from 3271 unique survey respondents, the objectives of this study were to examine the consumption frequencies of ABD and plant-based milk (PBM) in Australia over time (2019–2022) and determine the psychosocial and sociodemographic factors associated with distinct consumer segments. Multivariate analysis identified sociodemographic and food choice factors associated with three consumer segments: ‘exclusive PBM consumers’, ‘exclusive ABD consumers’, and ‘mixed consumers’ (consumers of both product types). Despite the growing availability of plant-based milk alternatives, exclusive PBM consumption remains relatively uncommon compared to mixed plant and animal dairy consumption. ‘Exclusive ABD consumers’ had a higher probability of being older and less likely to prioritise health and nutrition than ‘mixed consumers’. ‘Exclusive PBM consumers’ were more likely to prioritise food tolerance and restrictions and less likely to prioritise product taste than ‘exclusive ABD consumers’. We report sociodemographic and motivational factors influencing animal-based dairy and plant-based milk choices. The outcomes are of interest to sustainable food systems development stakeholders, with potential applications in the public health and commercial food promotion sectors.

Consumer’s willingness to try new microalgae-based food in Indonesia

Microalgae has been an under-researched food ingredient that is high in protein. In Indonesian context, research on consumer's willingness to try microalgae as a food ingredient should be performed. This research was performed to examine the factors influencing consumers' willingness to try microalgae. Data were collected from 535 respondents using a structured questionnaire distributed via Google Form on social media which were then analyzed using Structural Equation Models-Partial Least Square, with initial tests of internal consistency and reliability of questionnaire items carried out using the Pearson Product Moment correlation analysis. The results showed that consumer willingness to try microalgae-based food was positively and significantly influenced by consumer lifestyles towards food and consumer behavior (knowledge, attitudes, involvement and subjective norms). This finding indicates that there is a fairly broad opportunity to develop microalgae as a food ingredient in Indonesia. The government is encouraged to support the promotion of microalgae as health food. Positive support from the government is expected to drive marine farmers, entrepreneurs, food processing industries, cultivators, distributors and food retailers to further enhance the microalgae businesses.