Responding to the Aging of Society

Approach and Initiatives Responding to the Aging of Society

With the rapid aging of Japanese society, the proportion of people aged 65 or older is expected to total approximately one-third of the population in 2030. The number of people aged 75 or older is especially increasing, raising expectations that a growing group of elderly citizens will require caregiving and support services. As a result, there is concern that the aging of society will overwhelm medical and nursing facilities, put strain on the economy, and lead to other serious social problems.

Recognizing that a wide range of measures will be needed to deal with these issues, the Ajinomoto Group is emphasizing the importance of leading active and healthy lives regardless of age. The need to increase the number of fit and active elderly people who can live independently without nursing care is a major premise for overcoming the social problems that are such a cause of concern and realizing a society where people live long and healthy lives.

There are several main reasons why health conditions deteriorate with aging. One is that appetite declines as the body ages, resulting in insufficient intake of nutrients such as protein and amino acids. A second reason is that various kinds of nutritional components needed by the body are not produced in sufficient amounts.

The Ajinomoto Group is considering how it can help increase elderly people's appetites and nutrition through proper eating habits and nutritious food products. Toward this end, the group is carrying out and bolstering a wide range of research and development projects.

Initiative 1: Maximizing Umami Functions to Stimulate Appetite and Improve Nutritional Intake

To respond to the decline in appetite associated with aging and the insufficient nutritional intake that results, the Ajinomoto Group is conducting research with two objectives: stimulating appetite, and designing products that combine essential nutrients in a single serving.

1. Stimulating appetite

Appetite gradually decreases as functions related to a person's oral cavity and digestive system weaken with aging. Nevertheless, glutamate, a component of umami found in food, stimulates appetite by helping improve oral cavity and digestive health in various ways. As a result, it contributes to the nutritional intake and enjoyment of eating among the elderly. As an example, protein digestion is not easy for people with a weakened digestive system; however, glutamate helps it to secrete digestive enzymes that increase the ability to absorb protein.
Taking these findings into account, the Ajinomoto Group is actively pursuing research to determine whether advanced applications of the components of umami can increase digestive functions, stimulate appetite, and improve nutritional intake for the elderly.

2. Designing products that combine essential nutrients in a single serving

Initiative 2: Responding to Health Issues of the Elderly

• Issues Concerning Healthy Living
• Contributing to Healthy Living through Nutrition
• Responding to the Aging of Society

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  • Issues Concerning Healthy Living
  • Contributing to Healthy Living through Nutrition
  • Responding to the Aging of Society
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