If you want to learn more about the Plants4Age research study, please get in touch with the team.
Plants4Age
Research study
Research that supports older Australians to eat more vegetables and adopt plant-based protein diets, leading to better health and a sustainable future.
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 and explore the sensory factors that influence their adoption.
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.
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 an associate professor in nutrition science at Deakin’s School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, as well as a researcher at the Deakin Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition.
Associate Professor Gie Liem is an associate professor in sensory and consumer science at Deakin's School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, as well as a researcher at the Deakin Centre for Advanced Food Sciences.
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.
Plants4Age has been funded by Hort Innovation, using the vegetable research and development levy and contributions from the Australian Government.
Contact us
Email Associate Professor Gie Liem
