Researchers eliminate the gritty mouth feel: How to make it easier to eat fiber-rich foods

Peer-Reviewed Publication

University of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science

 

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Coated fiber particle seen through a microscope

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Credit: Gabriele D'Oria

Fiber is something that most of us get far too little of. To change that, we need to actually enjoy eating it. Food researchers from the University of Copenhagen have now invented a "disguise" that solves the problem of the dry and gritty mouth feel of fibers.

Think of how it would be to drink a juice with wheat bran in it – you may imagine an unpleasant gritty sensation which would make you less prone to enjoy it.

Unfortunately, this feeling is often associated with insoluble dietary fibers. Those are the kind of fibers found in e.g. wheat bran, vegetables, and whole grains. The unfortunate feeling is a problem as the majority of the world’s population doesn’t consume enough fibers, which are crucial for our bodies. This negatively affects human health in several ways. For example, fibers help prevent cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and colon cancer. In fact, a lack of fiber intake leads to roughly one million deaths annually.

“If we don't like it, we don't eat it. It's that simple. And no one would enjoy eating grainy flour – but that's roughly what the sensation of insoluble dietary fibers often produces, especially added to  more liquid foods like  yogurt, juices and beverages,” says Professor Lilia Ahrné of the University of Copenhagen’s Department of Food Science.

While insoluble fibers work well in breads, there are many other types of products where this isn’t the case. This is due to the dry (similar to the sensation known from red wine and green tea) and grainy-like feeling in the mouth that most people find unappetizing.

“This is why there is such a limited selection of fiber-rich foods and beverages. And that’s why it’s important to figure out how to incorporate fibers into more foods without causing a bad eating experience. The more variety there is in fiber-rich products, the greater the likelihood that people will increase their fiber intake. And now, we have a potential solution,” says Lilia Ahrné.

From rough to velvet

Ahrné and a team of research colleagues from both Denmark and other countries have developed a way to 'disguise' fibers, by making them – quite literally – more palatable.

Inspired by foods like chia seeds, which are naturally enveloped in a soft, gel-like layer, the researchers encapsulated pea cell-wall fibers in a gel that forms a soft coating around the fiber particles.

“The gel coating makes the fibers feel velvety, like cream on the tongue, where you can't feel the individual particles because the gel prevents contact between the particles and the tongue. Since the gel is at least as soft as tongue tissue, it doesn’t trigger the sensory receptors, and we don’t perceive the gritty texture,” explains Gabriele D’Oria, former PhD student at the Department of Food Science, now postdoctoral researcher at INRAE - Université Paris-Saclay and first author of the research article on the study.

The gel-coated particles were put to the test with a trained tasting panel, where the results demonstrated that the test subjects perceived up to 52% less fibers, while the gel reduced the sensation of grittiness by 42% and dryness in the mouth by 36%.

“We have now demonstrated that gel coating works. The gel can be refined and adjusted depending on the purpose. And in principle, the method can be used for all types of foods and beverages,” says Gabriele D’Oria.

The gel is both flavor- and odor-free and is based on gellan gum, which is produced by bacteria and already deployed in the production of foods for other purposes. Furthermore, the process is also quick and simple.

“In lab trials, it took me seven minutes to produce thousands of coated fiber particles. And this can definitely be upscaled once operating on a larger scale. One could imagine giant silos producing tons of coated fiber particles,” says Gabriele D’Oria.

Beneficial for elder health – and climate

In the long run, the researchers hope that the idea could help solve an increasingly widespread health dilemma:

“We are dealing with a global nutritional issue that will only grow as the world’s population ages. Elderly people who consume too little fiber are more prone to, among other things, digestive issues, unintended weight loss and general frailty. Therefore, there will be a need to develop fiber-rich products that people actually want to eat,” says Lilia Ahrné.

The researchers believe that it makes sense to use gel coating in liquid foods like juice and drinkable yogurt.

Furthermore, the camouflaged fibers have the potential to become a climate-friendly diet option, as Ahrné points out:

“We are all aware of the need to shift to more plant-based diets. If we can understand how to address the negative experiences of eating dietary fibers, we can better utilize fiber-rich by-products, such as bran from grains, in a sustainable way.”

  

Gel coated fibers 

Credit

Gabriele D'Oria

WE EAT TOO LITTLE FIBER

• In its Official Dietary Guidelines, the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration recommends that people consume at least 75 grams of whole grains per day. In 2019, 56% of the Danish population met this recommendation.
• A major study from 2017 shows that out of the 11 million people who died that year due to nutritional factors, low whole grain intake accounted for one million of the deaths (source: Health effects of dietary risks in 195 countries, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 - ScienceDirect).
• The study, which covers 195 countries, also shows that on average, fiber intake was below 25 grams per day in all regions.

 

ABOUT THE STUDY

• The research article about the study has been published in the journal Food Hydrocolloids.
• The project has received support from Nestlé.

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Journal

Food Hydrocolloids

DOI

10.1016/j.foodhyd.2024.110366 

Article Title

Designing gel coatings for oral soft perception of fiber particles

 

Light-altering paint for greenhouses could help lengthen the fruit growing season in the UK

University of Bath

 

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Professor Petra Cameron from the University of Bath explains the new technology.

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Credit: University of Bath

Researchers in the UK have developed a new spray coating for greenhouses that optimises the wavelength of light shining onto the plants, improving their growth and yield. The technology could in the future help extend the growing seasons in less sunny countries like the UK in a more sustainable way.

Since the growing season in the UK is relatively short due to its climate and latitude, we rely on European imports for most of our fruit and vegetables, grown in vast artificially lit greenhouses, which use huge amounts of electricity.

Now scientists at the Universities of Bath and Cambridge, working with commercial partner Lambda Agri, have developed a spray coating for greenhouses that could help UK farmers to produce more crops in the future using the same or less energy.

The development is being heavily backed with two UK Government grants, including a DEFRA project worth £500k and a second project worth £750k within DESNZ’s Net Zero Innovation Portfolio.

Photosynthesis – the process used by plants to capture sunlight and use the energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into sugars – is most efficient at the wavelength of red light. Green light is the least efficient which is why plants don’t absorb it and so appear green.

Sunlight is a mixture of all the colour spectrum so much of the light that shines on plants is not used.

The new spray coats existing greenhouse glass like a varnish; this layer absorbs blue light from sunlight and converts it to red light, increasing the fraction of red light that can be used by the plants which increases the crop yield.

More sustainable technologies

Whilst other researchers in the USA have previously achieved an increase in growth using similar technologies, they use rare earth materials such as indium. This metal is used in phone screens but is very expensive and difficult to recycle.

The Bath/Cambridge collaboration with Lambda Agri have replaced indium with a patent-pending lower cost, more abundant material.

In addition, they can make the materials using a chemical flow reactor, speeding up the manufacture process and making it more easily scalable.

Sweeter fruit

Professor Petra Cameron, from the University of Bath’s Institute of Sustainability and Climate Change (ISCC), said: “The way our coating works is similar to when you go to a night club and your gin and tonic drink glows under the UV light – the quinine chemical in the tonic water is absorbing the UV and re-emitting it as visible light.

“Our coating contains molecules that absorb UV light from the sun and converts around 80-90% of it into red light, making photosynthesis more efficient, meaning we can grow more with less light.

“In field trials we’ve seen a nine per cent increase in crop yield when growing basil in treated greenhouses.

“This means our technology could in the future be used to extend the growing seasons for produce and use less artificial light to get the same results, saving money and reducing the associated carbon emissions.

“As well as changing the wavelength of the light coming into the greenhouse, the coating also scatters the light, which also increases the yield.

“There is even some evidence that suggests it improves the taste by raising the sugar content in the fruit.”

Professor Dominic Wright from the University of Cambridge, Inorganic and Materials Section in Chemistry, said: “This is a nice application of fundamental molecular science to an important, real-world problem, one that is particularly important in regards to the backdrop of food security and global warming.

“There is a very real prospect of this having a significant impact on the availability and cost of soft fruit and salad vegetables for consumers in the future, especially in northern European countries like the UK where the weather conditions are far from ideal.”

Dr Monica Saavedra, from Lambda Agri, said: "Lambda stands for fighting food poverty, sustainably. The UK is already suffering from climate change, which is why the UK Government is heavily funding and supporting our mission. Both Cambridge University, where we are currently based, and the University of Bath are strong collaborators and share our vision.”

The team has submitted a patent for the technology and published their research in the journal Advanced Materials Technologies. They hope to make the technology commercially available for growers in a few years.

Growth of plants in greenhouses sprayed with the paint (right) was compared with that of plants in untreated greenhouses (left).

Credit

Lambda Agri

Journal

Advanced Materials Technologies

DOI

10.1002/admt.202400977 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Transparent, Sprayable Plastic Films for Luminescent Down-Shifted-Assisted Plant Growth

 

Sage acquires GOOD DOCS, distributor of documentaries that do good in the world

SAGE

Sage Publishing, a leading academic publisher, has acquired GOOD DOCS LLC, a film distribution company promoting social justice through powerful documentaries. This partnership adds over 370 films to Sage's library of video content, providing educational resources and promoting critical thinking on important societal issues. 

“We are proud to partner with GOOD DOCS in magnifying these important stories as part of our shared commitment to promoting social justice,” said Kiren Shoman, executive vice president, editorial, and global executive lead of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at Sage. “GOOD DOCS, like Sage, was founded by a passionate woman committed to creating a more equitable world. The company will help us live Sage's values by providing educational, diverse perspectives and pedagogical resources that reflect the world we live in.”  

GOOD DOCS is known for amplifying the stories of marginalized communities and showcasing solutions to complex problems through films created by established documentarians who are also educators, journalists, artists, activists, and community members. The videos champion creative expression, reflect intricate social dynamics, and provoke critical thinking, making them ideal for engaging classroom conversations. 

GOOD DOCS was founded in 2013 by award-winning filmmaker Sarah Feinbloom, who has dedicated her career to creating impactful documentaries. GOOD DOCS films have been shown at major film festivals worldwide and many have received multiple awards. The American Library Association voted Feinbloom’s film "What Do You Believe?" one of the best videos for young adults, and it has been shown in over 2,000 schools and colleges worldwide. 

“Sage is a company in which I wholeheartedly believe; for nearly 60 years, they’ve led academic publishing in areas that promote social justice, driven by the same commitment to education, rigorous inquiry, and social change that has guided us,” Feinbloom said. “Sage’s founder ensured that Sage would remain independent forever, protecting the very values that have sustained GOOD DOCS. Their commitment to social justice and human rights reflects a serendipitous overlap in values and mission between our companies.”  

“GOOD DOCS provides a remarkable library of documentary film content to the educational market, which we know instructors, students, and academic librarians value very highly,” said Sage Senior Director Michael Carmichael. “In GOOD DOCS, we also have found a key partner that promotes anti-racism, social justice, and equity through its powerful, thought-provoking films, which aligns very closely with the mission of Sage Video too. We cannot wait to work with the GOOD DOCS team.”  

As part of the agreement, GOOD DOCS will become a subsidiary of Sage while maintaining its dedication to serving filmmakers, customers, and communities as it has done in the past. The collaboration with Sage offers the opportunity to integrate GOOD DOCS' content with Sage Video collections, further promoting the GOOD DOCS brand and the work of its filmmakers to a wider and more global audience. 

The acquisition follows last week's announcement that Sage acquired Cambridge Business Publishers. 

# # # # 

About Sage 

Sage is a global academic publisher of books, journals, and library resources with a growing range of technologies to enable discovery, access, and engagement. Believing that research and education are critical in shaping society, 24-year-old Sara Miller McCune founded Sage in 1965. Today, we are controlled by a group of trustees charged with maintaining our independence and mission indefinitely.  

Our guaranteed independence means we’re free to: 

• Do more – supporting an equitable academic future, furthering disciplines that drive social change, and helping social and behavioural science make an impact 

• Work together – building lasting relationships, championing diverse perspectives, and co-creating resources to transform teaching and learning 

• Think long-term – experimenting, taking risks, and investing in new ideas 

 

Automated 3D computer vision model offers a new tool to measure and understand dairy cow behavior and welfare

A Journal of Dairy Science® study has taken a step toward validating a 3D pose estimation system for monitoring the ease with which cows can get up and down in freestalls

Elsevier

 

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A Journal of Dairy Science study has taken a step toward validating a 3D pose estimation method for monitoring the ease with which cows can get up and down in their cubicles, offering a new assessment tool to improve overall comfort and well-being of dairy cows.

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Credit: Adrien Kroese

Philadelphia, November 20, 2024 – Dairy cows typically rest for 10 or more hours a day, so a dry, clean, and comfortable place—such as a freestall—to lie down and rest is essential for their health, well-being, and production performance. One key factor in whether stalls are comfortable for cows is the ease with which they can get up and down, so it is common on farms for staff to watch for abnormal rising behaviors as part of standard welfare management. In a new study in the Journal of Dairy Science, published by Elsevier, a Swedish team, in collaboration with Sony Nordic, introduced a new automated model that accurately detects posture transitions in dairy cows. This innovative approach using 3-dimensional (3D) pose estimation offers valuable, unbiased insights into animal welfare and could offer a less time-consuming and more consistent assessment tool for researchers and farmers alike.

Led by Niclas Högberg, DVM, and Adrien Kroese, Eng, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden, the study aimed to develop a reliable method for monitoring the ease with which cows can get up and down in their cubicles, a crucial indicator of overall comfort and well-being.

Adrien Kroese explained, “Evidence points to a clear link between restricted movement for cows and signs of reduced welfare, so it is common to have some kind of observation practice in place to catch signs of movement struggles.”

Traditional methods—which often rely on human observation—can be subjective, sporadic, and time-consuming.

Considering the need for more consistent methods, the study team proposed a novel framework for detecting cow movements, specifically to understand how to measure lying-to-standing transitions from 3D pose estimation data compared with the human eye.

The team employed a 24-hour setup of seven cameras recording a herd of Swedish Holstein and Swedish Red cows. This footage was then used with 3D pose estimation software, which tracks and records movements via a 2D object detector and pose estimator. These datapoints are then fed into convolutional neural networks to detect cow movements in comparison to specific anatomical landmarks on static images from the footage. The result is a 3D map of cows’ movement in their stalls and a selection of which movements indicate the transition to standing.

Kroese explained, “We then compared the standing data gathered by the software against timestamps in the video annotated by three human observers, which is considered the gold standard for behavioral observations.”

How did the 3D data model hold up in comparison to the human eye? Kroese said, “The framework was able to detect when a cow was transitioning from lying to standing with the same accuracy as humans. The sensitivity of the detection was over 88%.”

Notably, the results also indicate that the model introduced no more bias compared with human observers.

Although not without limitations, the study’s findings demonstrate the potential of 3D pose estimation to provide objective and reliable data on cow behavior. Kroese noted, “This technology represents an exciting advancement in our ability to study and monitor animal behavior and welfare. By automatically and accurately detecting posture transitions, we can gain valuable insights into the comfort and well-being of dairy cows.”

The model offers potential to help researchers scale up the study of dairy cow behavior and motion patterns and opens the door to the development of new assessment tools for farmers to make informed decisions about their herds.

 

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Journal

Journal of Dairy Science

DOI

10.3168/jds.2023-24427 

Method of Research

Imaging analysis

Subject of Research

Animals

Article Title

3-Dimensional pose estimation to detect posture transition in freestall-housed dairy cows

 

Diverse diets of civets in Borneo rainforest allow them to live in same geographical area

Hiroshima University

 

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From upper left to lower right: binturong, masked palm civet, common palm civet, and small-toothed palm civet. These four species share similar ecology such as nocturnal, semi-arboreal, and frugivory.

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Credit: Miyabi Nakabayashi/Hiroshima University, Marty Marianus for binturong’s photo

Four closely related civets, a small nocturnal animal found in Africa and Asia, have made the same geographical area in the rainforests of Borneo home. Typically, closely related animal species have difficulty coexisting because they are competing for the same or similar resources. Despite eating the same figs, binturong, small-toothed palm, masked palm, and common palm civets do coexist together. To understand how they coexist, researchers used a compound-specific nitrogen isotope analysis to understand the degree of faunivory (eating animals). The results were published in Progress in Earth and Planetary Science on October 2, 2024.

Strictly using observational methods to analyze the behaviors of civets have suggested insufficient. This is because their behavioral characteristics — nocturnal and semi-arboreal (climbing trees 30-60 m in height) — make them difficult to observe. Fecal sampling is also not sufficient to gather data about the civets’ diet.

“The cryptic ecology as nocturnal, solitary forest dwellers makes it difficult to discern the mechanism by which these four closely related species coexist. Observational studies indicate that fruits dominate their diets, while faunivory, or eating both other animals and insects, is rare. We suspected that faunivory was a larger part of their diets and investigated by applying stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic analyses,” said Miyabi Nakabayashi, an associate professor at Hiroshima University’s Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life in Hiroshima, Japan.

Having different food sources is the easiest way for species having similar behavioral ecology to coexist in the same geographical area. Due to the generally low and unstable productivity of fruits in Borneo’s tropical forests compared to Sumatra Island, fruits alone may not be the sole source of food for all four civet species.

Researchers used stable isotope analyses on each species to determine the nitrogen isotope ratios in the hair of the civets, which would show how much animal protein the civets were eating.

Each civet species was captured in box traps. Hairs were pulled out and used for the bulk stable isotope analysis and compound-specific nitrogen isotope analysis of amino acids. Local insects and fruits were also collected, based on their proximity to the civets’ habitats and observations of the civets’ diet. Compound-specific nitrogen isotope analysis of amino acids was completed on the hair of two individuals for each civet species, insect, and plant samples. The civets’ trophic positions (TP), or their positions in the food web, were determined based on the stable nitrogen isotope ratios of the two amino acids, glutamic acid and phenylalanine.  

The results showed that faunivory was much more common in three of the civet species than previously thought. 

“Among the four species, the bulk stable isotope analysis revealed distinctly low nitrogen isotope ratios in binturongs, suggesting that binturongs exhibit the lowest degree of faunivory among them. Binturongs had the lowest trophic position, almost similar to exclusive plant-eating animals, estimated from the nitrogen isotope ratios of amino acids, followed by small-toothed palm civets, masked palm civets, and common palm civets. The trophic levels of the latter three species are in the range of omnivorous animals. These results suggest that the varying degree of consumption of animal sources, such as insects, is the key mechanism of niche partitioning in these four Paradoxurinae civet species in Borneo,” said Takumi Tsutaya, an assistant professor at the Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI) in Kanagawa, Japan. 

Looking ahead, researchers will continue to look at tropical rainforests and how ecologically similar closely related species coexist in close geographical areas.

“Tropical rainforests have, by far, the largest species number compared to forests in other regions. This study revealed one of the coexistence mechanisms of animals inhabiting there. We would like to find other factors that enable multiple closely related species to coexist, not only for civets but other animals as well,” said Nakabayashi.

Other contributors include Yoko Sasaki, Nanako O. Ogawa, Naoto F. Ishikawa, and Naohiko Ohkouchi of the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology in Kanagawa, Japan; and Abdul Hamid Ahmad at the Universiti Malaysia Sabah in Sabah, Malaysia.

The Inui Memorial Trust for Research on Animal Science, the Shikata Memorial Trust for Nature Conservation, the Fujiwara Natural History Foundation, JSPS Core-to-Core Program, A. Advanced Research Networks (Wildlife Research Center of Kyoto University), “Evolutionary Studies of Complex Adaptive Systems” Research Grant, and Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research from JSPS supported this research.

Theoretically, the trophic positions of plants, primary consumers (such as herbivorous animals), and secondary consumers (such as obligate insectivorous animals) are expected to be 1, 2, and 3, respectively.

Credit

Courtesy of Miyabi Nakabayashi/Hiroshima University

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About Hiroshima University

Since its foundation in 1949, Hiroshima University has striven to become one of the most prominent and comprehensive universities in Japan for the promotion and development of scholarship and education. Consisting of 12 schools for undergraduate level and 4 graduate schools, ranging from natural sciences to humanities and social sciences, the university has grown into one of the most distinguished comprehensive research universities in Japan. English website: https://www.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/en

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Journal

Progress in Earth and Planetary Science

DOI

10.1186/s40645-024-00655-6 

Article Title

Dietary partitioning in sympatric Paradoxurinae civets in Borneo suggested by compound-specific nitrogen isotope analysis of amino acids

Kopi luwak

Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Kopi_luwak

The traditional method of collecting feces from wild Asian palm civets has given way to an intensive farming method, in which the palm civets are kept in ...

 

Global boards show progress in sustainability, but AI and geopolitical risks loom large

New global survey by INSEAD, Heidrick & Struggles and BCG, reveals growing confidence in sustainability governance, but boards and CEOs still lack confidence in each other’s leadership

INSEAD Asia Campus

 

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 Boards and Society: How Boards Are Evolving to Meet Challenges from Sustainability to Geopolitical Volatility

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Credit: INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre, Heidrick & Struggles and Boston Consulting Group (BCG)

INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre, in partnership with Heidrick & Struggles and Boston Consulting Group (BCG),  today published a report exploring how boards are responding to complex trends and disruptions they currently face.

The report Boards and Society: How Boards Are Evolving to Meet Challenges from Sustainability to Geopolitical Volatility reveals boards have made meaningful advances to address sustainability topics, but are less confident when it comes to their understanding of other issues such as the rising importance of generative AI, intensifying trade and geopolitical disruptions. These four interconnected pillars are forcing directors and CEOs to navigate an increasingly unpredictable environment filled with conflicting and often politically charged demands.  

Additionally, the report shows evidence of simmering discord among company leadership on how best to enhance competitiveness amid the challenges they face.

Key Findings from the Boardroom

• 77% of boards believe their company has a responsibility to address sustainability concerns
• 36% feel prepared to leverage the disruptive potential of AI
• 37% believe their company has a sufficient strategy around geopolitical risk
• 29% of directors do not have faith in their CEO to navigate uncertainty 
• 26% of CEOs do not have faith in their board’s effectiveness
• Half of respondents are not confident their company is equipped to identify new threats and opportunities related to sustainability, generative AI and geopolitics

The report reveals that 77% of the global board members surveyed believe their company has a responsibility to address societal concerns, although more than half (54%) believe that business objectives should remain the primary focus. In contrast to this enthusiasm around sustainability, only 36% of directors feel prepared to leverage the disruptive potential of AI, while just 37% agree that their companies have sufficient strategies in place to manage geopolitical risks.

These findings highlight an urgent need for greater balance between traditional governance with forward-looking strategies and increased investment in board competency. Despite lower levels of confidence for the prevailing risks and emerging technologies of our time, it is encouraging to note that more than 60% of directors stated that their boards are “leaning in” on risk management, suggesting a desire to tackle these challenges head on, regardless of their complexity.

Lack of Confidence Amid Growing Complexity
In a concerning indication of division within the boardroom, the new report reveals that 29% of directors lack confidence in their CEO’s ability to navigate disruption and boost long-term value. Meanwhile, a comparable number of CEOs (26%) are equally skeptical of their board’s effectiveness, reflecting an increasing tension between top leadership teams grappling with a more complex and diverse range of issues than ever before.

The report also finds that roughly half of directors are not confident their company is equipped to identify new threats and opportunities related to sustainability, generative AI and geopolitics, nor are they able translate them into a competitive advantage. As global business landscapes continue to shift, the ability of boards to stay cohesive, align with leadership, and adapt to new challenges with innovative corporate strategy will be more critical than ever. Effective governance that embraces both foresight and resilience will be key in turning these disruptions into opportunities, allowing businesses not only to survive but to thrive in an increasingly volatile world.

Sonia Tatar, Executive Director of INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre, said, "Boards today can benefit from moving from being reactive to proactive. Beyond understanding disruptions, they can focus on looking ahead—anticipating future shocks and potential risks and finding ways to capitalize on the emerging trends to leverage opportunities. By translating insights that inform decision-making into strategic actions, they will be better positioned to guide companies in becoming more resilient and navigating change effectively."  
  
Commenting on the findings, Jeremy Hanson, Partner with Heidrick & Struggles and Co-author of the report, commented: “While it is encouraging that boards are stepping up on sustainability, this year’s survey reveals tensions between directors and management regarding each other’s capacity to navigate disruption. With so much at stake—and an increasing complexity to unpack—alignment between board directors and management isn’t just a best practice; it’s essential for addressing both today’s challenges and those of the future. Importantly, alignment does not mean boards should shy away from constructive debate with management. In fact, fostering open, even difficult, conversations is crucial for boards to reach resilient, well-rounded decisions in today’s demanding environment.”

Also commenting on the report, David Young, Managing Director and Senior Partner of BCG added: “Boards are facing new and increasingly complex challenges, amid geopolitical uncertainty, rapid advances in technology, and continued concerns over the impact of climate change. But boards have made notable progress in tackling sustainability--and now there is opportunity for them to learn from these efforts as they engage in deep conversations with executive leadership to confront this expanding agenda.”

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Media Inquiries:

Heidrick & Struggles: heidrick@cw8-communications.com

BCG: Gregoire.Eric@bcg.com 

INSEAD: news@insead.edu 

 

 

About Heidrick & Struggles

Heidrick & Struggles (Nasdaq: HSII) is a premier provider of global leadership advisory and on-demand talent solutions, serving the senior-level talent and consulting needs of the world's top organizations. In our role as trusted leadership advisors, we partner with our clients to develop future-ready leaders and organizations, bringing together our services and offerings in executive search, diversity and inclusion, leadership assessment and development, organization and team acceleration, culture shaping and on-demand, independent talent solutions. Heidrick & Struggles pioneered the profession of executive search more than 70 years ago. Today, the firm provides integrated talent and human capital solutions to help our clients change the world, one leadership team at a time. For more, please visit www.heidrick.com

 

About BCG

Boston Consulting Group partners with leaders in business and society to tackle their most important challenges and capture their greatest opportunities. BCG was the pioneer in business strategy when it was founded in 1963. Today, we work closely with clients to embrace a transformational approach aimed at benefiting all stakeholders—empowering organizations to grow, build sustainable competitive advantage, and drive positive societal impact.

Our diverse, global teams bring deep industry and functional expertise and a range of perspectives that question the status quo and spark change. BCG delivers solutions through leading-edge management consulting, technology and design, and corporate and digital ventures. We work in a uniquely collaborative model across the firm and throughout all levels of the client organization, fueled by the goal of helping our clients thrive and enabling them to make the world a better place.

About INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre  

The INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre (ICGC) has been actively engaged in making a distinctive contribution to the knowledge and practice of corporate governance globally. Its vision is to be the leading center for research, innovation, and impact in corporate governance. Through its educational portfolio and advocacy, the ICGC seeks to build greater trust within the public and stakeholder communities, so that businesses are a powerful force for improvement, not only of economic markets but also for the global societal environment. For more, visit www.insead.edu/centres/corporate-governance.