Special Interview with International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research (IJVNR) Editor-in-Chief Prof. Torsten Bohn: Insights into Nutrition Research and Journal Development

16 December 2025

 

 

In a recent exclusive interview, Prof. Torsten Bohn, the Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research (IJVNR), shared his insights on his academic trajectory, the evolving landscape of nutrition research, and his stewardship of the journal. As a leading scientist at the Luxembourg Institute of Health and an active contributor to key policy advisory bodies such as the European Food Safety Authority and the NutriScore Scientific Committee, Prof. Bohn offers a unique perspective that bridges rigorous research, practical application, and scholarly communication.

 

1. Could you share what initially motivated you to enter the field of nutrition? What sparked your interest in pursuing research in this area?

I entered the field of nutrition through food chemistry, and it was further sparked during my PhD studies. I was drawn to nutrition due to its highly applied nature and the significant impact of diet on health and well-being. Additionally, nutrition's role in sports performance and the growing global importance of food security and planetary sustainability further fueled my interest.

 

2. Nutrition research increasingly requires collaboration across food chemistry, microbiology, and clinical medicine. Do you support this view? How do you think journals can adapt to interdisciplinary submissions—for instance, by optimizing the peer review process?

Nutrition is inherently interdisciplinary, with fuzzy borders intersecting with fields such as toxicology and microbiology. This cross-pollination is crucial for a comprehensive understanding and innovation. Journals must actively embrace interdisciplinary submissions. This may require editors to step beyond their core expertise and collaborate with reviewers from diverse domains to ensure a fair and critical evaluation. Acknowledging the challenge in finding such referees, journals could explore incentives to engage these vital experts.

 

3. In recent years, intermittent fasting has become a popular topic. Based on your research, how do you evaluate the potential of emerging concepts like intermittent fasting and time nutrition, which aim to improve metabolic health by controlling meal timing? Are these methods suitable for different populations?

While I acknowledge I am not a definitive expert in this area, I believe nutrition concepts evolve. Regarding intermittent fasting, it is important to maintain scientific caution while remaining open to new ideas. The suitability of intermittent fasting varies among different populations. For instance, intermittent fasting might be suitable for more sedentary individuals but less so for those with physically demanding jobs.

 

4. Your early research focused on micronutrients like carotenoids and polyphenols. Given the field's development, are there any once-neglected nutrients that you think deserve renewed attention now?

Absolutely. Beyond classical nutrients, there are non-essential dietary compounds whose roles we are just beginning to grasp. For instance, apocarotenoids, derived from plant carotenoids, may have intriguing biological activities in humans. Furthermore, the vitamin realm itself is not static; there are discussions about novel forms and pathways, such as potential new retinoids interacting with specific nuclear receptors. The field is poised for discoveries.

 

5. Since 2014, you have served as the chief editor of this journal. Looking back over the past decade or so, is there any moment in the development and changes of the journal that has left the deepest impression on you?

I am deeply impressed by the journal's long-standing history, dating back to the 1930s in Switzerland and surviving through World War II. During my tenure as Editor-in-Chief, notable milestones included transitioning the journal to a fully online platform, streamlining processes, improving the impact factor, and, more recently, moving to an open access model under IMR Press.

 

6. You have been active in multiple scientific and policy consulting positions (such as EFSA, NutriScore Expert Group, etc.) simultaneously. How have these experiences influenced your thinking as a scholar and editor-in-chief?

These roles foster the understanding that one's work is a piece of a larger puzzle. True progress stems from collaborative, complementary teams where members acknowledge the boundaries of their own expertise. Sharing knowledge, though sometimes perceived as risky, enriches the scientific community and is personally rewarding. For the development of a journal, this collaborative mindset is invaluable—it aids in building networks, attracting talent and submissions, fostering conference partnerships, and curating special issues. Personally, engagements like EFSA have been a form of continuous learning, expanding my competence into areas such as epidemiology. There is greater benefit in being part of a consortium.

 

This interview provided valuable insights into various cutting-edge topics in nutrition research, offering a comprehensive overview of the field's past, present, and future. I am truly grateful to Prof. Bohn for taking the time to share his expertise and experiences with us. His leadership continues to guide the International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research in disseminating impactful research that bridges scientific discovery, public health, and sustainable food systems. IMR Press extends its sincere gratitude to Prof. Bohn for his invaluable contributions and insightful discourse.

Journal Homepage: https://www.imrpress.com/journal/IJVNR