From Lifespan to Healthspan: Insights from the Nutrition Society Conference 2025

In an age where scientific breakthroughs and nutrition advances mean many of us are living longer, the real question is no longer just about lifespan, but healthspan. The years we spend in good health, not simply the number of candles we’re blowing out each year. The latest National Diet and Nutrition Survey (OHID, 2025), may not have surprised anyone in the sector, but it serves as a reminder that we still have work to do if we want to add quality, not just quantity, to the years of our lives.

Across the UK, many people are still falling short on key nutrients, while rates of diet-related chronic disease continue to climb. So, how do we close the widening gap between how long we live and how well we live?

That was the focus at this year’s Nutrition Society Summer Conference, where researchers, industry leaders, and practitioners gathered to explore solutions. Bells Hann, Account Executive from HRS was there, listening, learning, and reflecting on what’s next for the sector.

Key Themes from the Conference

1. Food Reformulation: The Stakes Are Rising

Despite years of targets and policy efforts, recent data shows that the UK diet remains high in sugar, salt, and saturated fat (1). The pressure to reformulate isn’t letting up – if anything, it’s intensifying. For brands, the opportunity now is to approach reformulation as an ongoing commitment, not just a compliance exercise.

The brands making the most progress are those who see reformulation as integral to their wider purpose rather than just a technical fix. Transparency about goals, regular updates on progress (and even setbacks), and a willingness to involve consumers in the journey are helping build stronger trust and resilience as scrutiny grows. In a space where incremental change is no longer enough, purposeful reformulation and open communication stand out.

2. Plant-Based Diets: More Than a Label

Plant-based products have moved from niche to mainstream, but the space is maturing fast. It’s no longer enough to label something as “plant-based” and expect it to fly off the shelf. Nutrition quality, ingredient sourcing, and environmental credentials all matter and consumers and professionals are asking tougher questions.

There’s now a clear opportunity for brands who can show the full picture: carefully considered fortification, clear nutrition labelling, honest communication about sustainability, and a willingness to address challenges openly. The leaders in this space are those who move from trend-chasing to offering real, substantiated value, supporting both individual and planetary health in a way that stands up to scrutiny.

3. Micronutrients: Small Gaps, Big Impact

Micronutrient gaps, especially iodine, are back on the agenda. New data reveals rising deficiency rates, particularly among women of childbearing age (2), with potential long-term impacts on cognitive and thyroid health. These “quiet” issues rarely make headlines but are increasingly under the spotlight for both policy-makers and health professionals.

For food and nutrition brands, there’s a clear space to lead, through fortification, targeted education, or simply raising awareness through communications. Tackling these gaps transparently and proactively could become a key differentiator as nutrition policy evolves and expectations shift.

4. Gut Health: From Buzzword to Benchmark

Gut health has rapidly become a consumer priority, but the field is more nuanced than ever. The science is advancing quickly, with links to everything from mood and immunity to healthy ageing. But with this attention comes hype, and increasing consumer scepticism.

Brands with staying power are those able to cut through noise with up-to-date, evidence-led messaging. This might mean investing in research, supporting education for both consumers and health professionals, or simply being honest about what’s known (and what isn’t). The winners in this space are those who move past vague claims and focus on real, accessible value.

Looking Ahead

The gap between healthspan and lifespan isn’t going to close overnight. Progress will depend on a clear-eyed view of the evidence, a willingness to act on it, and thoughtful communication at every step. Brands and organisations that engage with these challenges directly, and communicate their approach transparently, are likely to make the greatest impact.

As the sector continues to evolve, there’s real opportunity for those who can move beyond minimum standards, setting the pace for change consumer swish to see and supporting better (and longer) health outcomes for all.

If these insights have sparked ideas for your brand, the HRS team is here to help you put them into action.

Written by Bells Hann, ANutr
Account Executive, HRS Communications

References

Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (2017) Sugar, salt and calorie reduction and reformulation. Available at: Sugar, salt and calorie reduction and reformulation – GOV.UK (Accessed: 07 July 2025)

Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (2025) National Diet and Nutrition Survey 2019 to 2023: report. Available at: National Diet and Nutrition Survey 2019 to 2023: report – GOV.UK (Accessed: 07 July 2025)