Chemical Complexity of Food and Implications for Therapeutics

Poor nutrition is a leading cause of preventable diseases, contributing to over half a million deaths annually in the U.S. This review explores the vast chemical complexity of food, termed "nutrition dark matter" (NDM), which comprises over 139,000 molecules with largely untapped therapeutic potential. These molecules interact with nearly half the human proteome, influencing health beyond traditional nutrient roles. Approximately 22% of current drugs originate from food-derived compounds, yet only 1.33% of NDM molecules are utilized pharmaceutically. Advanced AI and network medicine frameworks are proposed to decode NDM's health implications, enabling precision dietary interventions and accelerating drug discovery. The article highlights the need for systematic mapping of food chemicals to bridge gaps in nutritional science and therapeutics, advocating for strategic funding to unlock NDM's full potential for disease prevention and treatment.

Poor nutrition is a leading cause of preventable diseases, contributing to over half a million deaths annually in the U.S. This review explores the vast chemical complexity of food, termed "nutrition dark matter" (NDM), which comprises over 139,000 molecules with largely untapped therapeutic potential. These molecules interact with nearly half the human proteome, influencing health beyond traditional nutrient roles. Approximately 22% of current drugs originate from food-derived compounds, yet only 1.33% of NDM molecules are utilized pharmaceutically. Advanced AI and network medicine frameworks are proposed to decode NDM's health implications, enabling precision dietary interventions and accelerating drug discovery. The article highlights the need for systematic mapping of food chemicals to bridge gaps in nutritional science and therapeutics, advocating for strategic funding to unlock NDM's full potential for disease prevention and treatment.