Plants4Age

What is the Plant4Age research study?

As Australians age, eating more vegetables and choosing plant-based proteins can support better health and a more sustainable future. Yet, many older adults continue to rely heavily on animal-derived proteins and consume few vegetables and other plant-based foods.

Plants4Age is a collaborative research initiative led by the Deakin Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition and the Deakin Centre for Advanced Food Sciences, supported by Hort Innovation. The project aims to build robust scientific evidence on the benefits of plant-based diets for muscle health in older adults, as well as create a clear understanding of consumer drivers and barriers for the adoption of vegetable/plant-based diets.

For more information about our vision and priorities, please see our article The Protein Transition (PDF, 605.6KB) published in the Australian Grower magazine.

How it works

The study will combine nutritional science with sensory and consumer research as well as other factors that influence the adoption of plant-based diets.

Observational epidemiological studies

We will analyse a variety of datasets to understand which plant-based foods older consumers are currently eating and how this consumption relates to dietary protein quality.

Clinical trials

We will conduct a clinical trial with older consumers, altering their diets over a short period and measuring various health indicators at the start and end of the intervention.

Sensory and consumer research

We will run sensory and consumer studies to explore how older consumers perceive plant-based diets, including potential barriers and drivers of plant-based food consumption.

Stakeholder mapping and engagement

We will conduct qualitative and quantitative studies with stakeholders – including consumers, food providers, growers and health professionals – to understand the factors influencing the provision, recommendation and consumption of plant-based foods.

This project will deliver strong foundational evidence to drive the transition towards plant-based protein diets that promote healthy ageing. Achieving this transition requires interdisciplinary research across population, clinical, professional, and consumer levels.

Associate Professor Tieland

Deakin Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition

Our researchers

Our researchers bring together expertise in food innovation, sensory science, nutrition and chronic disease prevention to improve population health and dietary behaviours.

Associate Professor Michael Tieland is the co-lead of the Plants4Age research study, as well as a researcher at the Deakin Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition. His research focus involves the interaction of dietary protein intake, physical activity and healthy ageing. He has conducted numerous observational, clinical and implementation studies for older adults across a range of settings and conditions.

Associate Professor Gie Liem is the co-lead of the Plants4Age research study, as well as a researcher at the Deakin Centre for Advanced Food Sciences. His research generates high‑impact knowledge on how to make healthy and sustainable food choices the preferred choice for diverse populations.

Dr Laura Marchese is a post-doctoral research fellow at the Deakin Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition. Her research focuses on involves understanding plant-based dietary patterns and their associations with cardiometabolic health across adulthood.

Rikke Sand Andersen is a PhD candidate at the Deakin Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition. Her research investigates the impacts of plant and animal-based protein diets on muscle and bone health in older adults.

Liana Pace is a PhD candidate at the Deakin Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition. Her research aims to investigate the impacts of plant and animal-based protein diets on muscle and cardiometabolic health in older adults, as well as the interaction between the muscle and cardiometabolic outcomes.

Emma Lundin is a PhD candidate at the Deakin Centre for Advanced Food Sciences. Her project focuses on understanding mouth behaviour in healthy older adults and how this can affect texture perception and acceptance of vegetables.

Tracey Van Grunsven is a PhD candidate at the Deakin Centre for Advanced Food Sciences. Her doctoral research focuses on the protein transition in older Australians, by investigating the barriers and motivators for this population to reduce animal protein and increase plant-based alternatives.

Bill Lam is a research assistant for the Plants4Age project who mainly supports the planning and delivery of clinical trials. His research interests include healthy and sustainable dietary patterns e.g. EAT-Lancet Planetary Health Diet in young adults.

Variety of healthy vegan, plant-based protein source and body building food. Tofu soy beans tempeh, green vegetables, nuts, seeds, quinoa oat meal and spirulina.

Funding for Deakin research into plant-based protein for healthy ageing

Deakin researchers are leading a major Hort Innovation-backed project worth $1.68 million, designed to accelerate the protein transition towards more vegetable and plant-based sources, supporting healthy ageing in Australians.

Read the full article

Plants4Age has been funded by Hort Innovation, using the vegetable research and development levy and contributions from the Australian Government.

Hort Innovation vegetable levy funding attribution