Metabolomics is crucial in epidemiology for several reasons: 1. Biomarker Discovery: It aids in the identification of biomarkers for early disease detection and prognosis. 2. Understanding Disease Mechanisms: It provides insights into the pathophysiology of diseases. 3. Nutritional Epidemiology: It helps in studying the impact of diet on health. 4. Environmental Exposure: It assesses the effects of environmental exposures on health.