Sodexo’s Commitment to Brain Health Through Evidence-Based Nutrition
Sodexo, the global leader in foodservice for a wide range of sectors, including hospitals, senior-living communities, campuses, schools, and corporations, has announced a groundbreaking new partnership with Social Impact Partners | Global Nutrition Brain Health Initiative.
The collaboration has resulted in the release of a new white paper that tackles the growing global brain health crisis and highlights the crucial role of nutrition in maintaining cognitive function. Titled The Vibrant Mind: A Guide to Neuroprotective Nutrition, the white paper presents a detailed analysis of the latest clinical studies and provides insights into a new, simplified neuroprotective diet aimed at supporting lifelong brain health.
Exploring the Link Between Nutrition and Cognitive Well-Being
Sodexo, known for being the largest employer of dietitians worldwide and serving 80 million consumers daily, has long been at the forefront of foodservice innovation. The company is now expanding its influence by investing in research that will help combat the Nutrition brain health epidemic, which has become one of the most pressing public health challenges in recent years.
According to Marc Plumart, Sodexo’s Chief Growth & Commercial Officer, “What’s on your plate matters for your brain health.” This emphasis on nutrition as a key factor in brain health reflects the company’s commitment to evidence-based insights that will help shape the future of cognitive well-being.
The white paper, developed in partnership with Social Impact Partners, is the culmination of a comprehensive review of over 250 clinical studies on the role of nutrition in brain health. The research team focused on dietary patterns, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, and the effects of specific nutrients on brain function. They also explored new methods of blood testing and the role of nutrient biomarkers in evaluating brain health.
The findings from this study led to the development of a neuroprotective diet designed to address the shortcomings of current brain health-focused diets, which often exclude essential omega-3 fatty acids and overlook the harmful effects of high sodium intake. These factors are crucial for maintaining brain health at all ages, and their inclusion in a well-balanced diet could make a significant difference in preventing cognitive decline.
Social Impact Partners’ Vision for Sustainable Brain Health Nutrition
As Sarah Hoit, the Founder and Chairman of Social Impact Partners, explains, “The future of brain health lies at the intersection of nutrition and neuroscience because what we eat every day matters. We believe that by implementing sustainable, evidence-based dietary practices, we can unlock the transformative power of food to nourish minds and support cognitive well-being across the lifespan.” The collaboration between Sodexo and Social Impact Partners is an important step toward translating these scientific findings into actionable, practical solutions for the public.
Leading the research efforts was Dr. Gene Bowman, the Clinical Trials Director at the McCance Center for Brain Health at Massachusetts General Hospital and Neurology Faculty at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Bowman worked in close collaboration with Mindi Manuel, MS, RD, CSG, LDN, CDP, Senior Area Clinical Support Manager at Sodexo, to establish a framework for reviewing the scientific literature on brain health. The team examined studies that spanned a range of research methods, including cell models where nutrient effects were studied, large population studies on dietary habits, and studies on nutrient biomarkers and their effects on cognitive function.
Dr. Bowman was particularly surprised by the outcome of their research, which led to the identification of a new neuroprotective diet that could potentially provide the key nutrients necessary for brain health. “We were surprised to learn that the outcome of the effort was something novel, a ‘neuroprotective diet’ that should make all the key nutrients readily available to the brain for consumption,” said Dr. Bowman.
“It is hypothetically neuroprotective and should be tested much like the MIND diet was clinical trial tested.” This new neuroprotective diet proposes a holistic approach to nutrition that goes beyond the conventional dietary guidelines for brain health. It emphasizes the importance of making the right nutrients easily accessible to the brain and suggests that such a diet could have a positive impact on long-term cognitive function.
To put the findings from the white paper into practice, Sodexo is launching a new dining concept called Vibrant Minds at senior-living communities and hospitals across the United States. With more than 400 newly designed recipes, the concept is focused on showcasing the power of food to positively impact brain health. The Vibrant Minds initiative aims to provide nutritious and delicious meal options that are tailored to meet the specific needs of residents and patients while promoting cognitive well-being. The recipes developed under this initiative are designed to incorporate the key nutrients identified in the research, making it easier for individuals to follow a neuroprotective diet without feeling overwhelmed by complex dietary choices.
Sodexo’s commitment to improving brain health extends beyond the creation of new meal plans. The company is also working closely with researchers, scientists, and healthcare professionals to further explore the relationship between nutrition and brain health. Mindi Manuel, who played a key role in the development of the neuroprotective diet, emphasized that Sodexo is dedicated to simplifying dietary choices for the general public while also supporting ongoing scientific research. “Sodexo is simplifying dietary choices in a complex world of science,” Manuel said. “At the same time, we are committed to being a part of the community of researchers and scientists who do the work and take meaningful action.”
The Vibrant Minds concept will be implemented in senior-living communities and hospitals across the U.S., where it has the potential to significantly improve the health and well-being of residents and patients. The initiative reflects the growing recognition that brain health is not just a concern for the elderly, but for people of all ages. Maintaining cognitive function is essential for leading a healthy and fulfilling life, and a neuroprotective diet could play a central role in preventing age-related cognitive decline and reducing the risk of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
The research and initiatives presented in the white paper are part of Sodexo’s ongoing commitment to leading the way in the field of foodservice and nutrition. The company’s global reach, combined with its expertise in providing food services to diverse populations, gives it a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on public health. By continuing to invest in research and partnering with organizations like Social Impact Partners, Sodexo is positioning itself as a key player in the fight against the brain health crisis.
As the white paper and the Vibrant Minds initiative demonstrate, nutrition is an essential factor in maintaining brain health, and by making evidence-based dietary practices accessible to the public, we can improve the cognitive well-being of individuals worldwide. Through innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to research, Sodexo is helping to shape the future of brain health and ensuring that nutrition becomes a central part of the conversation on cognitive well-being.
