Post by ILSI Europe

👶 What happens during the earliest stages of life can influence health far beyond childhood.    This afternoon at the ILSI Europe Symposium 2026, the session "First Bites, Future Health: The Lasting Legacy of Early Nutrition" explored how advances in early-life nutrition science are helping us better understand the connections between infant nutrition, development, and long-term health.    The session brought together experts from academia and industry to reflect on past achievements, current knowledge gaps, and future research priorities: 🎤 Janna van Diepen (Mead Johnson) opened and moderated the session.  🎤 Marco TURINI (dsm-firmenich) provided an overview of the achievements and future activities of the ILSI Europe Early Nutrition and Long-Term Health Task Force.  🎤 Alessandra Mazzocchi (Milan University Hospital) explored emerging perspectives on alternative proteins in early-life nutrition. 🎤 Kathrin Cohen Kadosh (University of Surrey) examined gut-brain axis pathways to cognitive resilience and mental well-being in adolescence.  🎤 Carlo agostoni (Milan University Hospital) highlighted future research priorities that may shape the next generation of early nutrition science.    💡 "If the first 1000 days of life are foundational for long term health, we must not overlook the important behavioural fine-tuning happening during adolescence." Identifying future research priorities will be essential to ensure that nutrition science continues to support healthy development across the life course.    A special thank you to all speakers and participants for contributing to this engaging and forward-looking discussion.    #ILSIEurope40Years #EarlyNutrition #NutritionScience #LifecourseHealth #ChildHealth #CognitiveDevelopment #ScientificDialogue #FoodScience #PublicHealth