Human Nutrition and Health

'Nutrition should help people get the best out of themselves'

As he retires from WUR, Professor Renger Witkamp reflects on 20 years of research and his lifelong quest to understand what keeps people healthy.

Do veggie burgers fit into a healthy diet?

Eating mainly food from plants is healthier than primarily eating food from animals. But what about meat analogues like veggie burgers? In-depth and at the same time broad, research at Wageningen University & Research (WUR) focuses on how meat analogues affect human health.

Greater vegetable diversity needed for healthier diets and climate-resilient agriculture

An international team of scientists is calling for global action to conserve and better use vegetable biodiversity. Researchers from WUR are among those leading this effort.

Alida Melse appointed Chairholder of Global Nutrition at Wageningen University & Research

Alida Melse has been appointed Chairholder of Global Nutrition. Her research focuses on deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals. Through food-based strategies, she aims to combat such deficiencies worldwide.

Nutritional Biology featured in NPO2 series on longevity

Nutritional Biology researcher Dr Pol Grootswagers appears in the new NPO2 television series Jekels jacht naar het eeuwige leven (Jekel's Quest for Eternal Life), which explores the scientific evidence behind healthy ageing and longevity.

The British Feeding and Drinking Group (BFDG): the 50th edition

This year, April 23 and 24, 2026 we had a very special edition of the Annual Meeting of the British Feeding and Drinking Group (BFDG): the 50th edition 😊. It was held in the Netherlands and organised by the Sensory Science & Eating Group, Nutrition & Health, Wageningen University & Research. With up to 260 people attending, the conference was completely sold out.

Watch: the real story about ultra‑processed food

This "Universiteit van Nederland" (University of the Netherlands) video explains why processed food is a complex category that does not determine whether a food fits within a healthy diet.

National Kids Science Festival ‘Expedite Next’

What can chewing gum and carrots teach us about child eating behaviours and texture preferences? Quite a lot, actually! For the second time, The Sensory Science and Eating Behaviour Group (SSEB) participated in the National Kids Science Festival ‘Expedite Next’ organized by NWO, this year in Enkhuizen. On the 1st of May families could be part of our “Ratatouille Taste Adventure”, and explore the science behind eating behaviour, oral processing, taste perception, and food texture preferences. Research from the Sensory Science and Eating Behaviour Group (SSEB) chair group (read more here (p. 30), here and also here) has shown the importance of early life eating behaviours and texture and food preferences in the development of healthy dietary patterns and growth – but what can we learn from children chewing gum at a science festival?

Kerensa Broersen appointed Chair of Nutritional Biology

Kerensa Broersen has been appointed Chair of Nutritional Biology at Wageningen University & Research (WUR) with effect from 1 April 2026.

Recognition in post-covid care quality important as treatment

New research shows people with post-COVID value recognition and support as much as treatment. Nutrition may also support recovery.