Who funds most nutrition research?

Most nutrition research is largely funded by the industry, including big food companies and commodity boards. This industry funding is often seen as necessary due to the lack of adequate public or government funding, particularly from bodies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH). For example, in the field of nutrition, experts acknowledge that government research bodies like the NIH do not prioritize applied food research, leading to a reliance on industry funding, such as from the Dairy Council or soy board 1.

The significant role of big corporations like Mars, Coca Cola, and Pepsi in funding research has been highlighted, with examples such as studies on blueberries and dark chocolate being funded by respective industry players 2. Dr. Ronald Krauss also shared that his research, which was industry-funded, showed that saturated fats might not be as harmful as previously considered. However, he emphasizes that researchers pursue these studies out of genuine scientific interest rather than corporate agendas 3.

Dr. Mark Hyman further discusses how large soda companies manipulate science by funding research that promotes their products and creating front groups to skew public health recommendations, noting that significant amounts of money are invested into such research 4.

Moreover, the influence of funding on research outcomes and the creation of front groups are practices used to promote specific industry interests, often at the expense of public health 5.

Despite these challenges, some experts argue for the integrity of scientists in the field, asserting that many researchers are genuinely passionate and not primarily motivated by industry funding. They emphasize the importance of discerning the influence of funding on study results and maintaining scientific integrity despite prevalent biases 6.