Never too late to try something new. Attitudes and intention to taste foods from alternative protein sources in a sample of Italian older adults

Nutrition in older adults requires special attention due to protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) risk. Therefore, identifying healthy and sustainable protein sources is crucial, as traditional animal proteins pose challenges to both health and the environment. While most research focuses on younger populations, this study examined the responses of older adults to three alternative protein sources (APS): one plant-based (PBF) and two animal-based sources: cultured meat (CM) and insect-based foods (IBF). We investigated the role of explicit and automatic attitudes in shaping intention to consume (ITC) and the influence of familiarity.