PRESS RELEASE

The NeuroTOm project, funded by the European Union through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, has reached an important milestone. Led by the Fondazione Edmund Mach (FEM) in collaboration with Wageningen University, the project investigates how neuroactive substances in tomatoes may impact brain health via the gut-brain axis.

Under the supervision of Urska Vrhovsek and supported by FEM’s Metabolomics Unit, post-doctoral researcher Ana Kovačič spearheaded the study funded by her European grant. The research focused on analyzing four types of tomatoes (organic and conventional cherry tomatoes, vine tomatoes, and processed products) to identify neuroprotective compounds such as polyphenols and amino acids, as well as additives that warrant further investigation. The behavior of these substances was observed using a simulated digestion model, replicating their journey through the human body.

Preliminary findings from FEM Research and Innovation Center indicate that specific compounds, including tomatine and bisphenol S, can reach the colon and potentially affect the brain. These insights represent a significant advance in understanding the role of diet in preventing neurodegenerative diseases and open new avenues for future research on nutrition and brain health.

The study has garnered significant attention in the global scientific community, with results recently showcased at prominent conferences, such as the Nordic Metabolomics Conference held in Turku, Finland, last August.