Phytonutrients and their health benefits

Phytonutrients and their health benefits

You may have heard people talk about eating blueberries, turmeric, cacao, or another proclaimed ‘superfood’ because it’s good for their health.  But what is in these foods that makes them so healthy?  And what are the health benefits?

Nutrients are substances that we get from our food that keep us alive and help to support the health and functioning of our bodies.  Plant foods, such as fruits and vegetables, are often rich in micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) and provide necessary macronutrients too.  Many are also rich sources of phytonutrients.

What are phytonutrients?

Just like macronutrients is an umbrella term that encompasses carbohydrates, fats and proteins, and micronutrients encompasses the vitamins and minerals, phytonutrients is an umbrella term that encompasses a group of compounds that originate in plants and have a beneficial effect on human health.  You may have heard terms like phytochemicals, polyphenols, or nutraceuticals used in a similar way to phytonutrients.  This blog by Monash Nutrition explains the difference between these terms.  This article will focus on phytonutrients.

Some examples of better-known phytonutrients include curcumin (found in turmeric), quercetin (found in particularly high levels in onions), and resveratrol (found in particularly high levels in grapes).  However, unlike the macro- and micronutrients, the number of compounds that fall under the umbrella of phytonutrients is in the hundreds to thousands.

Currently, the major dietary source of phytonutrients for many people is tea or coffee, due to the regular habitual consumption of these beverages.  But fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, cereals, whole grains, herbs, and spices are all good sources of phytonutrients and provide various combinations of phytonutrients in the diet.

Generally, individual types of phytonutrients are found in multiple different foods. For example, catechins are found in tea, cocoa and fruits. Individual foods also contain multiple different phytonutrients. For example, apples contain flavanols, cinnamic acids and quercetin.

Do we have an RDI for them?

While we know that including phytonutrients in the diet has beneficial effects for health, there is currently no recommended daily intake level.

One of the reasons for this is that there are so many individual compounds that fall under the umbrella of phytonutrients.  We also don’t know enough about how all of these individual compounds interact with the human body and carry out their effects to be able to set a target for recommended intake. 

However, food-based dietary guidelines around the world promote regular daily consumption of fruits, vegetables, cereals, wholegrains, nuts, and legumes.  So, while there aren’t specific recommended intake levels of phytonutrients, by following food-based dietary guidelines you would ensure a rich and varied phytonutrient intake.

Snapshot from the Eating and Activity Guidelines for New Zealand Adults showing the recommended intake of phytonutrient-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, (nuts) and seeds.

What impact do they have on nutrition and health?

Unlike vitamins and minerals, there are no specific disease conditions linked to an inadequate or deficient intake of phytonutrients.  However, epidemiological evidence shows an inverse relationship between dietary intake of phytonutrients/phytonutrient-rich foods and risk of several major chronic diseases.  This suggests that including more phytonutrients in the diet reduces the risk of certain diseases.

Cardiovascular diseases (diseases of the heart and blood vessels) are a major cause of death and disease globally.  Consumption of flavonols (present in fruits, vegetables, tea, and red wine) and flavanols (from tea and cocoa) in adequate quantities has been linked to beneficial outcomes for cardiovascular disease mortality and biomarkers.  Similarly, intake of coffee and its main phytonutrient, chlorogenic acid, was dose-dependently associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes in a meta-analysis of 28 studies.  Therefore, drinking more coffee, up to about 5 cups a day, may lower the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes. 

Researchers are also looking into ways that phytonutrients can help with controlling the increase in blood sugar levels after a meal and in reducing levels of oxidative stress in the body, along with other ways that phytonutrients can help to reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

While consumption of phytonutrients from plant-based foods can provide beneficial health effects, it is also important to consider the toxicity of these compounds.  If consumed in high-doses (such as in some dietary supplements) or for prolonged periods, certain phytonutrients can have negative effects such as increasing the risk of cancer.  It is always best to seek advice from a health professional before taking dietary supplements and, where possible, to get your nutrients and phytonutrients from eating whole foods.

Take home message

Phytonutrients are compounds found in plants that are good for our health.  While there is no recommended intake for phytonutrients, preventing their inclusion in sustainable nutrition models, including plenty of them in the diet is beneficial.  The best way to do this is to eat a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, cereals, whole grains, herbs, and spices every day. This is consistent with existing dietary advice for inclusion of high amounts and diversity of healthy plant foods in sustainable healthy diets.

This Thought for Food was written by Margaret Murray, a researcher in human nutrition from Monash University, Australia.



Professor Warren McNabb
Warren McNabb is a Professor of Nutritional Science at the Riddet Institute; one of New Zealand’s Centres of Research Excellence (CoRE), hosted by Massey University. He leads SNi® and his research interests include digestive physiology and metabolism, nutrition for health, and sustainable nutrition.
Project Leader | W.McNabb@massey.ac.nz
Professor Warren McNabb
Warren McNabb is a Professor of Nutritional Science at the Riddet Institute; one of New Zealand’s Centres of Research Excellence (CoRE), hosted by Massey University. He leads SNi® and his research interests include digestive physiology and metabolism, nutrition for health, and sustainable nutrition.
Project Leader | W.McNabb@massey.ac.nz
Dr Nick Smith
Nick works as a mathematical modeller on the Riddet Institute SNi®. He is responsible for a wide range of SNi's work and the continued development of the SNi models like the DELTA Model®. This is a tool for investigating how global food production meets global nutritional requirements as part of a sustainable food system.
Research Officer | N.W.Smith@massey.ac.nz
Dr Nick Smith
Nick works as a mathematical modeller on the Riddet Institute SNi®. He is responsible for a wide range of SNi's work and the continued development of the SNi models like the DELTA Model®. This is a tool for investigating how global food production meets global nutritional requirements as part of a sustainable food system.
Research Officer | N.W.Smith@massey.ac.nz
Dr Andrew Fletcher
Andrew is a Chemical Engineer with a PhD in process control and modelling. Andrew is a Honorary Fellow at the Riddet Institute and has been involved with SNi® since the outset. He is based at the Fonterra Research and Development Centre in Palmerston North and is involved in a range of research, management and strategy roles.
Honorary Fellow | Andrew.Fletcher@fonterra.com
Dr Andrew Fletcher
Andrew is a Chemical Engineer with a PhD in process control and modelling. Andrew is a Honorary Fellow at the Riddet Institute and has been involved with SNi® since the outset. He is based at the Fonterra Research and Development Centre in Palmerston North and is involved in a range of research, management and strategy roles.
Honorary Fellow | Andrew.Fletcher@fonterra.com
Professor Jeremy Hill
Professor Jeremy Hill has played a major role in developing SNi®. He has also been involved in developing strategic partnerships between Fonterra and the Riddet Institute. For example, the establishment of three Professorial Chairs in Food Material Science, Nutrition, and Consumer and Sensory Science. Jeremy is the Chief Science and Technology Officer at Fonterra.
Adjunct Professor | Jeremy.Hill@fonterra.com
Professor Jeremy Hill
Professor Jeremy Hill has played a major role in developing SNi®. He has also been involved in developing strategic partnerships between Fonterra and the Riddet Institute. For example, the establishment of three Professorial Chairs in Food Material Science, Nutrition, and Consumer and Sensory Science. Jeremy is the Chief Science and Technology Officer at Fonterra.
Adjunct Professor | Jeremy.Hill@fonterra.com
Dr Mahya Tavan
Mahya is a postdoctoral research fellow working on the development of the iOTA model. iOTA is a dietary optimisation tool for designing sustainable diets that are nutritious, acceptable and affordable. Prior to joining SNi®, Mahya held a research role at the University of Melbourne, Australia where she carried out various research projects on sustainable food production, resource use efficiency and biofortification of fresh food.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow | M.Tavan@massey.ac.nz
Dr Mahya Tavan
Mahya is a postdoctoral research fellow working on the development of the iOTA model. iOTA is a dietary optimisation tool for designing sustainable diets that are nutritious, acceptable and affordable. Prior to joining SNi®, Mahya held a research role at the University of Melbourne, Australia where she carried out various research projects on sustainable food production, resource use efficiency and biofortification of fresh food.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow | M.Tavan@massey.ac.nz
Raquel Lozano
Raquel is a postdoctoral research fellow creating models for national food systems. Her PhD research focused on helping design horticultural packaging systems to minimise the environmental impact. Raquel was awarded the International Society of Horticultural Sciences Young Minds Award in 2023, and is keen to use mathematical modelling to provide holistic information to decision-makers in the area of sustainable nutrition.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow | R.Lozano@massey.ac.nz
Raquel Lozano
Raquel is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow creating models for national food systems. Her PhD research focused on helping design horticultural packaging systems to minimise the environmental impact. Raquel was awarded the International Society of Horticultural Sciences Young Minds Award in 2023, and is keen to use mathematical modelling to provide holistic information to decision-makers in the area of sustainable nutrition.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow | R.Lozano@massey.ac.nz
Patricia Soh
Prior to her current PhD, Patricia attained a Master of Science in Human Nutrition at Massey University, Albany. The current focus of her PhD is investigating nutritional concerns within vegan diets.
PhD Student | P.Soh@massey.ac.nz
Patricia Soh
Prior to her current PhD, Patricia attained a Master of Science in Human Nutrition at Massey University, Albany. The current focus of her PhD is investigating nutritional concerns within vegan diets.
PhD Student | P.Soh@massey.ac.nz
Ejovi Abafe
Prior to his current PhD, Ejovi obtained a Master’s and a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of South Africa (UNISA) and Delta State University, Nigeria. The current focus of his PhD at the Riddet Institute is Global land use for the delivery of nutrition.
PhD Student | E.Abafe@massey.ac.nz
Ejovi Abafe
Prior to his current PhD, Ejovi obtained a Master’s and a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of South Africa (UNISA) and Delta State University, Nigeria. The current focus of his PhD at the Riddet Institute is Global land use for the delivery of nutrition.
PhD Student | E.Abafe@massey.ac.nz
Justine B. Coomson
Prior to her current PhD, Justine obtained a Masters degree in Population, Family and Reproductive Health and a Bachelor's degree in Dietetics from the University of Ghana. Justine has worked as a research assistant and a clinical dietician in Ghana before coming to New Zealand. The current focus on her PhD is the impact of biofortification and supplementation to diets.
PhD Student | J.Coomson@massey.ac.nz
Justine B. Coomson
Prior to her current PhD, Justine obtained a Masters degree in Population, Family and Reproductive Health and a Bachelor's degree in Dietetics from the University of Ghana. Justine has worked as a research assistant and a clinical dietician in Ghana before coming to New Zealand. The current focus on her PhD is the impact of biofortification and supplementation to diets.
PhD Student | J.Coomson@massey.ac.nz
Hannah Ramsay
Hannah is the Project Manager for SNi®. She started her career in the Riddet Institute when she first came to New Zealand and has since done project and event work across various educational institutes. The opportunity to return to Project Management at the Riddet Institute was very welcome, especially given the fascinating research and mahi conducted as part of SNi®.
Project Manager | H.Ramsay@massey.ac.nz
Hannah Ramsay
Hannah is the Project Manager for SNi®. She started her career in the Riddet Institute when she first came to New Zealand and has since done project and event work across various educational institutes. The opportunity to return to Project Management at the Riddet Institute was very welcome, especially given the fascinating research and mahi conducted as part of SNi®.
Project Manager | H.Ramsay@massey.ac.nz
Amelia Barker
Amelia is a Communications Officer at the Riddet Institute. She has many years experience in digital media communications at various organisations. Amelia is passionate about research and enjoys promoting the fantastic mahi (work) that SNi® does.
Communications Officer | A.Barker@massey.ac.nz
Amelia Barker
Amelia is a Communications Officer at the Riddet Institute. She has many years experience in digital media communications at various organisations. Amelia is passionate about research and enjoys promoting the fantastic mahi (work) that SNi® does.
Communications Officer | A.Barker@massey.ac.nz
Rangimarie Hunia
Rangimarie Hunia was appointed an alternate director of Te Ohu Kaimoana at the beginning of 2015 before being appointed a full director in November 2015, and Chair in July 2019. The first wahine (woman) Chair in the history of Te Ohu Kaimoana. In 2017, she was appointed a Chair of Te Pūtea Whakatupu Trust. In 2016, she was appointed Chief Executive of Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei Whai Maia. Whai Maia is responsible for the well-being of its 5,000 tribal members and focuses on education, health, employment and environmental areas. She played an active role as a member of the Iwi Working Group that was established to facilitate understanding and iwi decision making in response to the 11-year Review of Māori Fisheries Settlement entities. Rangimarie is also a member of Global Women and was a finalist in the Westpac Women of Influence Awards 2014.
Ngāti Whātua Chair of SNi® International Advisory Group Chief Executive of Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei Whai Maia
Rangimarie Hunia
Rangimarie Hunia was appointed an alternate director of Te Ohu Kaimoana at the beginning of 2015 before being appointed a full director in November 2015, and Chair in July 2019. The first wahine (woman) Chair in the history of Te Ohu Kaimoana. In 2017, she was appointed a Chair of Te Pūtea Whakatupu Trust. In 2016, she was appointed Chief Executive of Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei Whai Maia. Whai Maia is responsible for the well-being of its 5,000 tribal members and focuses on education, health, employment and environmental areas. She played an active role as a member of the Iwi Working Group that was established to facilitate understanding and iwi decision making in response to the 11-year Review of Māori Fisheries Settlement entities. Rangimarie is also a member of Global Women and was a finalist in the Westpac Women of Influence Awards 2014.
Ngāti Whātua Chair of SNi® International Advisory Group Chief Executive of Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei Whai Maia
Jeroen Dijman
Over 30 years of practical and managerial experience in research, development, and policy and institutional change in the agricultural and rural sector. Developed and applied system innovation ideas and multi-stakeholder approaches in livestock agri-food system research and rural development planning and practice. Worked and consulted extensively for bilateral and multilateral donors, NGOs, CGIAR centres, the World Bank, UN agencies and the private sector in all major developing regions of the world. Currently engaged as the founding head of the Nestlé Institute of Agricultural Sciences at Nestlé Research. Previous roles include: • the director of the Enabling Innovation theme of International Livestock Research Institute; the senior officer of the FAO’s Pro-Poor Livestock Policy Initiative, credited to have influenced global thinking on policy and institutional change by the independent external evaluation of the FAO; • the senior officer in the Livestock Information, Sector Analysis and Policy Branch of the FAO, responsible for the design, establishment, coordination, and support to the Global Agenda for Sustainable Livestock, a multi-stakeholder partnership committed to sustainable livestock sector development; • the senior agricultural research officer for the Secretariat of the Independent Science and Partnership Council (ISPC) to the CGIAR, providing independent strategic advice to a global portfolio of 15 corporate research programmes of the CGIAR on agricultural research for development, climate change, agri-food system innovation, partnership, sustainable resource use, and impact assessment; • the Director (International) of the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre (NZAGRC); • the Senior Technical Adviser of the UN Environment, Climate and Clean Air Coalition agriculture initiative; and • the Managing Director, Animal Sciences Group, Wageningen University and Research.
Head of Nestlé Institute of Agricultural Sciences
Jeroen Dijman
Over 30 years of practical and managerial experience in research, development, and policy and institutional change in the agricultural and rural sector. Developed and applied system innovation ideas and multi-stakeholder approaches in livestock agri-food system research and rural development planning and practice. Worked and consulted extensively for bilateral and multilateral donors, NGOs, CGIAR centres, the World Bank, UN agencies and the private sector in all major developing regions of the world. Currently engaged as the founding head of the Nestlé Institute of Agricultural Sciences at Nestlé Research. Previous roles include: • the director of the Enabling Innovation theme of International Livestock Research Institute; the senior officer of the FAO’s Pro-Poor Livestock Policy Initiative, credited to have influenced global thinking on policy and institutional change by the independent external evaluation of the FAO; • the senior officer in the Livestock Information, Sector Analysis and Policy Branch of the FAO, responsible for the design, establishment, coordination, and support to the Global Agenda for Sustainable Livestock, a multi-stakeholder partnership committed to sustainable livestock sector development; • the senior agricultural research officer for the Secretariat of the Independent Science and Partnership Council (ISPC) to the CGIAR, providing independent strategic advice to a global portfolio of 15 corporate research programmes of the CGIAR on agricultural research for development, climate change, agri-food system innovation, partnership, sustainable resource use, and impact assessment; • the Director (International) of the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre (NZAGRC); • the Senior Technical Adviser of the UN Environment, Climate and Clean Air Coalition agriculture initiative; and • the Managing Director, Animal Sciences Group, Wageningen University and Research.
Head of Nestlé Institute of Agricultural Sciences
Berry Marttin
Berry Marttin was born and raised in Brazil. Over the course of his career at Rabobank, he has gained extensive experience as an international banker in both wholesale and retail banking, working in various senior executive positions in Australia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Curacao and Brazil. Berry moved to the Netherlands in 2004 to become Chairman of the Board of Directors of Rabobank Amsterdam. In 2009, he joined the Managing Board with special focus on Rabobank’s international Wholesale and Rural banking activities and further responsibilities including Leasing (DLL), Rabo Carbon Bank and RaboResearch. His principal other activities outside Rabobank include serving as President of the EACB (European Association of Co-operative Banks) and Member of the Board of Neumann Foundation. Moreover, Berry serves as the first Chairman of the Global Steering Committee of the Food Action Alliance, where World Economic Forum together with IFAD, WBCSD, CIAT, AfDB and Rabobank and over 20 global leaders unite to deploy large scale action through game changing initiatives for food systems transformation. In 2021, he was invited to join the UN Food Systems Summit Champions network, a network encompassing leadership from a broad range of constituencies, in all parts of the world, who are championing food systems and food systems transformation.
Member of the Managing Board Rabobank Group
Berry Marttin
Berry Marttin was born and raised in Brazil. Over the course of his career at Rabobank, he has gained extensive experience as an international banker in both wholesale and retail banking, working in various senior executive positions in Australia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Curacao and Brazil. Berry moved to the Netherlands in 2004 to become Chairman of the Board of Directors of Rabobank Amsterdam. In 2009, he joined the Managing Board with special focus on Rabobank’s international Wholesale and Rural banking activities and further responsibilities including Leasing (DLL), Rabo Carbon Bank and RaboResearch. His principal other activities outside Rabobank include serving as President of the EACB (European Association of Co-operative Banks) and Member of the Board of Neumann Foundation. Moreover, Berry serves as the first Chairman of the Global Steering Committee of the Food Action Alliance, where World Economic Forum together with IFAD, WBCSD, CIAT, AfDB and Rabobank and over 20 global leaders unite to deploy large scale action through game changing initiatives for food systems transformation. In 2021, he was invited to join the UN Food Systems Summit Champions network, a network encompassing leadership from a broad range of constituencies, in all parts of the world, who are championing food systems and food systems transformation.
Member of the Managing Board Rabobank Group
Dr Jason Clay
Jason Clay is the Senior Vice President for Markets and Executive Director of the Markets Institute at WWF, which was created to identify and address emerging global issues, trends, and tools impacting conservation in more timely, cost-effective, and scalable ways. His career has ranged from working on a family farm and for the US Department of Agriculture. He taught at Harvard and Yale and spent more than 35 years with human rights and environmental NGOs. In 1988, Clay founded Rainforest Marketing, set up a trading company within an NGO, helped Indigenous people and local communities access global markets, and launched Ben & Jerry’s Rainforest Crunch, plus more than 200 other products with sales of $100 million. From 1999 to 2003, he co-directed a WWF, the World Bank, UN FAO, and NACA consortium to identify the most significant environmental and social impacts of shrimp aquaculture, as well as practices to reduce them. From 2004 to 2012, he convened multistakeholder roundtables to create performance-based standards for commodities including salmon, soy, sugarcane, cotton, and beef. He developed WWF’s Market Transformation program in 2006 to work on agriculture, aquaculture, livestock, and corporate engagement. Clay continues to lead WWF-US efforts to improve private sector supply chain management and help their producers address the most significant impacts. In 2008, he created the Carbon and Commodities program to address supply chain GHG emissions. He has helped whole sectors improve their sustainability performance (e.g., the Global Salmon Initiative). He is now working with the global leather industry to support a DCF leather fund and is testing support for a 1% environmental performance payments to support the transition costs and incentives to finance what producers need to do to become legal and deforestation and conversion free. He is launching a two-year proof of concept for Codex Planetarius, a set of minimum global standards to reduce the key impacts of food and commodities traded internationally. Clay has authored 18 books and 500 articles, and has given more than 1,500 invited presentations. He studied anthropology and agriculture at Harvard, the London School of Economics, and Cornell (PhD).
Senior Vice President, Markets at World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
Dr Jason Clay
Jason Clay is the Senior Vice President for Markets and Executive Director of the Markets Institute at WWF, which was created to identify and address emerging global issues, trends, and tools impacting conservation in more timely, cost-effective, and scalable ways. His career has ranged from working on a family farm and for the US Department of Agriculture. He taught at Harvard and Yale and spent more than 35 years with human rights and environmental NGOs. In 1988, Clay founded Rainforest Marketing, set up a trading company within an NGO, helped Indigenous people and local communities access global markets, and launched Ben & Jerry’s Rainforest Crunch, plus more than 200 other products with sales of $100 million. From 1999 to 2003, he co-directed a WWF, the World Bank, UN FAO, and NACA consortium to identify the most significant environmental and social impacts of shrimp aquaculture, as well as practices to reduce them. From 2004 to 2012, he convened multistakeholder roundtables to create performance-based standards for commodities including salmon, soy, sugarcane, cotton, and beef. He developed WWF’s Market Transformation program in 2006 to work on agriculture, aquaculture, livestock, and corporate engagement. Clay continues to lead WWF-US efforts to improve private sector supply chain management and help their producers address the most significant impacts. In 2008, he created the Carbon and Commodities program to address supply chain GHG emissions. He has helped whole sectors improve their sustainability performance (e.g., the Global Salmon Initiative). He is now working with the global leather industry to support a DCF leather fund and is testing support for a 1% environmental performance payments to support the transition costs and incentives to finance what producers need to do to become legal and deforestation and conversion free. He is launching a two-year proof of concept for Codex Planetarius, a set of minimum global standards to reduce the key impacts of food and commodities traded internationally. Clay has authored 18 books and 500 articles, and has given more than 1,500 invited presentations. He studied anthropology and agriculture at Harvard, the London School of Economics, and Cornell (PhD).
Senior Vice President, Markets at World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
Professor Manny Noakes
Professor Manny Noakes has a PhD in nutrition as well as having trained as a dietitian in her earlier years. She is more recently a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Manny is a former Director and Senior Principal Research Scientist, Nutrition and Health at CSIRO, Australia. She currently runs her own nutrition consultancy and is also a non-executive Director for Meat and Livestock Australia. She is considered a key opinion leader and advisor in nutrition and health, has extensive media and public speaking experience. She has over 25 years’ experience in many fields of nutrition and health, and has undertaken numerous clinical dietary intervention trials in weight management, functional foods and cardiovascular health. She has also undertaken research on diet and sustainability and redefined the environmental agenda from a food and health perspective. Manny has authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications which have been cited more than 9000 times and has an H index of 52. She was instrumental in the development and release of five editions of the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet, which was launched in 2004 and has been translated into 17 languages and sold over one million copies in Australia. The Total Wellbeing Diet has been further commercialised to a successful online programme. Manny is the recipient of three CSIRO Medals, is a Distinguished Alumni of Flinders University, holds a research excellence award from the University of Adelaide and is a recipient of the Zonta Club Woman of International Achievement award.
Nutrition Consultant
Professor Manny Noakes
Professor Manny Noakes has a PhD in nutrition as well as having trained as a dietitian in her earlier years. She is more recently a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Manny is a former Director and Senior Principal Research Scientist, Nutrition and Health at CSIRO, Australia. She currently runs her own nutrition consultancy and is also a non-executive Director for Meat and Livestock Australia. She is considered a key opinion leader and advisor in nutrition and health, has extensive media and public speaking experience. She has over 25 years’ experience in many fields of nutrition and health, and has undertaken numerous clinical dietary intervention trials in weight management, functional foods and cardiovascular health. She has also undertaken research on diet and sustainability and redefined the environmental agenda from a food and health perspective. Manny has authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications which have been cited more than 9000 times and has an H index of 52. She was instrumental in the development and release of five editions of the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet, which was launched in 2004 and has been translated into 17 languages and sold over one million copies in Australia. The Total Wellbeing Diet has been further commercialised to a successful online programme. Manny is the recipient of three CSIRO Medals, is a Distinguished Alumni of Flinders University, holds a research excellence award from the University of Adelaide and is a recipient of the Zonta Club Woman of International Achievement award.
Nutrition Consultant
Lain Jager
Lain Jager is best known for his time with the hugely successful kiwifruit marketer Zespri. During his tenure as CEO, Zespri grew strongly through the impact and recovery from the bacterial vine disease pseudomonas syringae pv actinidiae (Psa-V), grower returns doubled, and the share price grew from $1.00 to $8.00. Today, Lain is involved in a range of investment projects in tourism and agribusiness, serves as a director on several boards, acts as a strategic advisor to a small number of companies, and is Chairman of New Zealand’s Primary Sector Council, which was established in April 2018 by the Minister of Agriculture to create a vision for the primary sector and provide independent advice to government on issues facing the sector. The Primary Sector Council’s vision for New Zealand’s agriculture, food and fibres sector is to be a world leader in modern regenerative production systems that are Fit for a Better World. Primary Sector Council Chair Lain Jager says Fit for A Better World is about providing the world’s most discerning consumers with outstanding, ethically produced food, natural fibres, drinks, co-products and bio-products.
Chair of the Thought Leaders Group for Te Puna Whakaaronui Food and Fibre Think Tank
Lain Jager
Lain Jager is best known for his time with the hugely successful kiwifruit marketer Zespri. During his tenure as CEO, Zespri grew strongly through the impact and recovery from the bacterial vine disease pseudomonas syringae pv actinidiae (Psa-V), grower returns doubled, and the share price grew from $1.00 to $8.00. Today, Lain is involved in a range of investment projects in tourism and agribusiness, serves as a director on several boards, acts as a strategic advisor to a small number of companies, and is Chairman of New Zealand’s Primary Sector Council, which was established in April 2018 by the Minister of Agriculture to create a vision for the primary sector and provide independent advice to government on issues facing the sector. The Primary Sector Council’s vision for New Zealand’s agriculture, food and fibres sector is to be a world leader in modern regenerative production systems that are Fit for a Better World. Primary Sector Council Chair Lain Jager says Fit for A Better World is about providing the world’s most discerning consumers with outstanding, ethically produced food, natural fibres, drinks, co-products and bio-products.
Chair of the Thought Leaders Group for Te Puna Whakaaronui Food and Fibre Think Tank
Copy link
Powered by Social Snap