BASF Nutrition & Health announced the winners of the grant during a satellite symposium at the recent 13th China Nutrition Science Congress in Beijing. The grant programme, now in its fifth year, was started by BASF to recognise and support researchers in APAC who are responsible for scientific advancements of Asian diets in the plant sterols and omega-3 fields.
BASF evaluates proposals within the region annually, its selection criteria including a panel review by a team of experts and its own scientific advisory committee. This year, the winners came from Australia, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand.
Two grants were awarded to the University of Newcastle, Australia’s Dr Manohar Garg, for his research on omega-3 fatty acids in preventing gestational diabetes, and on the effects of phytosterols and curcumin for reducing cardiovascular disease risk in hyperlipidaemic individuals.
High intensity exercise
Dr Mira Dewi from Indonesia’s Bogor Agricultural University received a grant for her research on the link between maternal dietary intake and blood level of polyunsaturated fatty acids in pregnancy and newborn baby composition, while Dr Sudathip Sae-tan from Kasetsart University in Thailand was awarded a grant for researching the effects of omega-3 and high intensity interval exercise on the body composition, energy expenditure and delayed onset muscle soreness of overweight males.
Completing the list of winners was Singapore’s Dr Patel Kadamb from Temasek Polytechnic, for his work on the effects of phytosterols on glycosylated haemoglobin and oxidative stress in type 2 diabetic patients.