Dairy and brain link sought

Scientists are becoming convinced that eating more dairy foods could boost brain power.

An AgResearch team supported by international scientists is looking into how to make new products that provide those brain benefits, while taking heed of what earlier research has suggested.

Programme leader Nicole Roy said there was mounting evidence that eating a lot of dairy products or probiotics could boost brain performance.

‘‘But we don’t yet know how. The key is in the two-way communication between the gut and the brain,’’ Roy said.

‘‘We’ll be using cutting-edge techniques to understand how dairy ingredients and probiotics can work together to send signals from the gut to optimise brain development and performance. We’ll also be developing prototype foods that combine ingredients in a way that promotes those benefits.’’

The first of two AgResearch-led programmes is called Smarter Lives: New opportunities for dairy products across the lifespan, and focuses on how foods can influence brain performance through the ‘‘gut-brain axis’’.

A second project looks at how fermentation can make products stand out from the crowd, with fewer additives. Common fermented foods include cheese, yoghurt, and sauerkraut.

The AgResearch programmes have been awarded more than $21 million by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Endeavour Fund.

‘‘The future for New Zealand food exports to the world is premium quality and adding as much value as possible to our products,’’ said AgResearch science group leader Jolon Dyer.