The American Heart Association recently announced a data challenge for scientific researchers to analyze the food database from the Periodic Table of Food Initiative (PTFI). This initiative, co-managed by the American Heart Association and the Alliance of Bioversity and the Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), provides detailed information on the molecular components of foods worldwide.
The database includes profiles of biomolecules in food and where they were grown, aiming to help professionals understand the role of food and the environment in medicine and overall health. The PTFI has developed analysis techniques and an open-access platform to streamline the collection and distribution of food data. This includes bioinformatics and mass spectrometry technologies to identify biologically active molecules in food.
Researchers can access data from the first 500 foods in the database and submit research proposals until November 1, 2024. The winner will receive a $20,000 USD cash prize. There is no cost to enter the challenge, and finalists can present their research at scientific conferences. Participants are encouraged to bring their own data to complement the dataset provided.
Potential research topics include identifying foods associated with lower disease risk, exploring associations between food components and factors like sleep and blood pressure, finding foods to replace supplements for nutrient deficiencies, and identifying factors affecting the diversity of food components.
The American Heart Association assures that funding from individuals, foundations, and corporations does not influence the science content. For more information, interested individuals can join upcoming online information sessions on August 8 and September 18, 2024.
The American Heart Association is committed to promoting longer, healthier lives and equitable health in all communities. They are celebrating their 100-year history in 2024 and continue to fund research, advocate for public health, and share resources. The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT works towards transforming food systems sustainably to improve lives, while the Periodic Table of Food Initiative aims to map the quality of the planet’s edible biodiversity.
For media inquiries, individuals can contact Monica Sales at monica.sales@heart.org, and for public inquiries, they can call 1-800-AHA-USA1. Additional information about the initiative and ongoing research can be found on the American Heart Association’s website and social media platforms.