How accurate are DNA tests in telling me what to eat?

DNA testing is all the craze in Hong Kong and Singapore. These testing kits claim to provide reliable scientific reports that tell you what diet you should eat for fat loss, muscle gain or health.

The basis of these tests is that the food we eat can influence our genetic expression. For example, by eating a certain diet, you could potentially reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes. Some companies also claim that certain supplements could improve fat or weight loss.

Cool right?

While DNA tests are an interesting new area of research, it’s still early days. At the time of writing, there is no scientific evidence to say we can reliably predict the ‘best’ diet for someone based on a genetic test. A position statement from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and a meta-analysis (a study of several studies on a specific topic; the highest quality of research we have) explicitly highlighted the lack of evidence to support DNA testing for diet and nutrition. Both papers stated that nutrition professionals should not recommend DNA testing for clients or patients until there is more research.

One major factor that DNA tests miss is the behavioural aspect of nutrition. Suppose I could tell you what the ‘best’ diet is, if you can’t stick to it, there’s no point. If a particular way of eating doesn’t fit into your schedule, social life, preferences etc. it will be hard to sustain, and we know that the hardest bit of a diet is maintaining it in the long term.

In summary, rather than wasting money on an unreliable testing kit, you’re more likely to benefit from a one-to-one nutrition coaching with a qualified nutrition professional. A nutritionist or dietitian will be able to navigate the confusing world of nutrition with you and support you in working towards a diet that makes you happy and healthy.