At Food Is Medicine Lab (FIMLab), Chiyo’s research division, we are joining forces with clinicians, patients, academic experts, and thought leaders to unlock the transformative potential of nutrition for women’s health. Through innovative studies and strategic partnerships, we are laying the groundwork for a broader movement to raise the standard of care for mothers everywhere.
Food is medicine—and women deserve more.
Unlocking Maternal Nutrition: 2024
Annual Report on Chiyo Research Initiatives
Nutrition Research is Transforming Women's Healthcare
Our Research Mission
Women’s health has long been underserved, both in terms of research and funding. While growing evidence supports our knowledge that food is medicine, the specific impacts of nutrition on maternal health remain largely unexplored.
Our mission at FIMLab is to demonstrate and establish the vital role of evidence-based, holistic nutrition throughout the maternal health journey.
We are focused on two key areas of research:
Through a series of internal and collaborative studies, we track key health indicators—such as mood, physical symptoms, fatigue, and stress—before, during, and after the program. This data will help build a comprehensive database to highlight the effects of nutrition on maternal health.
By addressing these critical research gaps, we aim to improve health outcomes for every woman, at every stage of her journey.
Our Research Mission
Women’s health has long been underserved, both in terms of research and funding. While growing evidence supports our knowledge that food is medicine, the specific impacts of nutrition on maternal health remain largely unexplored.
Our mission at FIMLab is to demonstrate and establish the vital role of evidence-based, holistic nutrition throughout the maternal health journey.
We are focused on two key areas of research:
Through a series of internal and collaborative studies, we track key health indicators—such as mood, physical symptoms, fatigue, and stress—before, during, and after the program. This data will help build a comprehensive database to highlight the effects of nutrition on maternal health.
By addressing these critical research gaps, we aim to improve health outcomes for every woman, at every stage of her journey.
Stay up to date with cutting-edge women's health nutrition research by joining the FIMLab mailing list.
Chiyo Research
The Effects of Postpartum Nutrition on Maternal Health Outcomes
In our postpartum research study, we sought to examine the impact of Chiyo’s 6-week nutrition program on maternal health and recovery during the postpartum period. Our initial findings reveal significant improvements across several health indicators after participants completed the Chiyo Restore program. Overall, study participants reported feeling significantly better—mentally, physically, and emotionally—since beginning the Chiyo program. Explore the preliminary results in our Unlocking Maternal Nutrition: 2024 Report.
Chiyo x TinyHealth Prenatal Study
We are partnering with TinyHealth to better understand nutritional impacts on the gut microbiome during pregnancy and test whether the gut microbiome may be one mechanism through which nutrition influences maternal health outcomes (e.g., mental health, physical symptoms, fatigue). As a part of this study, we are recruiting 15 women to complete Chiyo’s 6-week prenatal nutrition program, provide a gut microbiome sample before and after the program, and complete surveys throughout.
Internal Research Studies
Our ongoing data collection is testing the effects of Chiyo’s nutrition program on key health indicators during fertility/hormone balance and postpartum. In these studies, women complete surveys before, during, and after Chiyo’s nutrition program — providing a comprehensive understanding of women’s health across critical life periods.
Conferences
In May, Chiyo attended the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG) annual meeting in San Francisco, the largest meeting of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in America, with 4,000+ attendees in 2024. We presented our research mission, aims, and planned studies as an Innovation Lane presentation: “Nutritional Psychiatry for Maternal Health.” We also had an exhibitor booth throughout the conference to connect with trainees, physicians, and other maternal health researchers.
At the 2024 HLTH Event in October, Chiyo’s CEO, Irene Liu, spoke on a panel about “Medicinal Meals.”
Upcoming in 2025, we will be at Healthy Kitchen, Healthy Lives connecting with 500+ clinicians who are passionate about food-as-medicine.
Building an Ecosystem
Chiyo is a member of Tufts Food & Nutrition Innovation Council, working with stakeholders from across industries create a healthy, equitable, and sustainable food system.
We have plans to partner with a company for fertility and hormone balance to examine the effects of Chiyo’s nutrition program on key indicators of hormonal health. We also plan to conduct partnership studies using a control group to more rigorously assess causal effects.
Help us build the future of nutrition for women’s health by collaborating with Chiyo FIMLab.
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Our Knowledge Library
We are building a library of innovative nutrition resources, drawing on cutting-edge research from across the scientific community. Our evidence-based reports explore the intersection of nutrition and underserved areas of women’s health like postpartum mood disorders and assisted reproductive technologies. Each report goes through a rigorous clinical review process with members of our Clinical Advisory Board, to ensure the highest level of accuracy.
Our resources bridge the gap between complex scientific research and accessible nutrition insights—making it easier for women to confidently address their unique health concerns. This content is available on Chiyo’s Rooted Knowledge Library.
Our Nutrition Programs
At Chiyo, we know the importance of targeted nutrition throughout the maternal health journey. That’s why our programs are carefully tailored to meet the specific needs of each stage, from hormone balance and fertility through postpartum. Our expert-approved menus, crafted by certified nutritionists, are grounded in the latest scientific research—so every meal is aligned with our rigorous standards to support optimal outcomes.
Learn more about Our Mission and our Nutrition Standards.
The Hormone Balance Program
for: Endometriosis, PCOS, Overall Cycle Support
Helps women balance their hormones to support menstrual regularity, weight management, and blood sugar regulation
The Fertility Enhance Program
For: Trying to Conceive, Egg Freezing, IVF, IUI
Helps to improve fertility outcomes by supporting egg health, ovarian function, and inflammation & stress reduction
The Postpartum Restore Program
FOR: The Fourth Trimester
Supports postpartum recovery to help with mood & energy regulation, lactation support, and full body recovery after childbirth