Have you ever wondered how human evolution can be practically applied to empower contemporary diet conscience? NutriRoots is a multidisciplinary project aiming to promote healthier food choices based on our evolutionary past.
NutriRoots is a research project coordinated by the Laboratory of Biological Anthropology DUTh in collaboration with CERTH and the Regional Directorate for Primary and Secondary Education of Eastern Macedonia – Thrace funded by HFRI. It explores the evolutionary roots of dietary diseases and intolerances through the interaction of biological, environmental and cultural factors. The aim of the project is to raise nutritional awareness and promote healthier habits through educational activities that link human development with modern nutrition.
NutriRoots showcases how evolutionary traits like fat storage, preference for sweetness, and lactose tolerance emerged, and how these inherited adaptations can predispose people to obesity, type 2 diabetes and other diet-related conditions.
A serious game and interactive digital content guide students through human evolution, revealing how genetic adaptations and cultural change influenced past and present diets.
A free eBook, website and workshops help teachers and parents understand why diet-related diseases occur, and how both genetics and cultural traditions influence our dietary choices.
NutriRoots is built on state-of-the-art research in biological anthropology, genetics and biochemistry. The project builds on large datasets from Europe and the world to showcase how human diet and culture co-evolved through time and shaped our current biology.
Our genes control diet-related traits, such as our ability to digest lactose, gluten or saturated fats. These traits show considerable variation among individuals and are linked to significant cultural changes and population expansions.
Chemical signatures in bones and teeth tell us whether past populations ate mostly plants, animals, or marine foods. As a direct method of individual diet reconstruction, it enables us to explore the dietary choices of our ancestors.
NutriRoots combines an interactive serious game with a teacher- and parent-friendly eBook. Together, they bring the science of evolution and nutrition into everyday learning.
The serious game takes you through key moments in the dietary history of past populations. You make decisions for characters living in different eras and see how these choices affect their health.
The eBook helps teachers and parents turn the game and the website into deeper learning. It explains the science in accessible language.
Learn how to integrate NutriRoots in the classroom and how to support healthier food choices at home.
Infographics – Under construction.
Learn how to make healthier food choices together with your children and discuss food, habits and media influence at home.
Infographics – Under construction.
Follow our school visits, museum workshops, public talks and social media campaigns as NutriRoots grows across Greece and beyond.
Secondary school students will test the serious game and share feedback to help us refine the educational tools.
Read moreInteractive workshops and public talks organised in collaboration with museums and cultural institutions.
See upcoming eventsShort videos, recipes and infographics created with guest contributions from Chef Argiro Barbarigou.
Follow the campaignNutriRoots brings together specialists in biological anthropology, social psychology, archaeology, nutrition, game development and public outreach.
Professor of Biological Anthropology at the Department of Humanities and Director of the Laboratory of Biological Anthropology and the Institute of Bioarchaeological Research at the Democritus University of Thrace. She leads an interdisciplinary team of researchers working in the fields of biological anthropology for the investigation of the human past.
Professor in Social Psychology at the Department of Humanities of the Democritus University of Thrace. He has a significant academic background and experience on field intervention projects and published empirical research concerning attitudes.
Postdoctoral researcher at the Laboratory of Biological Anthropology specializing in paleodiet reconstruction through analytical and computational methods.
Scientific associate with expertise in biological anthropology and paleodietary reconstructions through stable isotope analysis.
Research Director at CERTH-ITI, the Head of Multimedia Knowledge and Social Media Analytics Laboratory and the Director of the Institute. His research interests include ΑΙ/Machine Learning for multimedia analysis, Semantics (multimedia ontologies and reasoning), Social Media and Big Data Analytics, Multimodal and Sensors Data Analysis, Human Computer Interfaces, e- Health, Arts and Cultural, Media/Journalism, Environmental and Security applications.
Archaeologist–Museologist and member of the BHV research group at CERTH/ITI/MK-Lab, with expertise in the design, management, and technological transformation of digital cultural heritage projects. Currently serves as Technical Manager of Horizon Europe ECCCH projects, contributing to the development of innovative initiatives at the intersection of culture, technology, and creativity.
Research associate and software engineer at the BHV research group at CERTH/ITI/MK-Lab, experienced in designing and developing serious games and interactive applications focused on culture and education.
Are you a student, teacher, parent, museum educator or simply curious about NutriRoots? Here you can find the institutional contacts and follow our social media to stay updated.