Dietary Intake of Phytochemicals, Gut Microbiota and Appetite Control

Dear Colleagues,

The multi-functional potential of natural products, particularly plant phytochemicals, includes optimising physiological functions, modulating immune responses and the gut microbiota, influencing epigenome activity, enhancing stress adaptation, and impacting body system pathophysiology. A prominent example is the probiotic and prebiotic activity of the major active constituent, phytochemicals, which modulate molecular pathways related to various health benefits including appetite control and which manipulate the gut–brain axis for the treatment of obesity, in addition to their antitumor and chemo-preventive activities. The growing interest in natural products is driven by consumer demands, industry advancements, and the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases in aging populations. As people seek safe and effective alternatives, the potential of natural products and functional foods in promoting health and wellness has gained momentum.

Functional foods and supplements have been found to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, obesity, neurodegenerative disorders, and some cancers. The pleiotropic effects of these polyphenols are evident regarding their role in redox modulation and inflammatory processes, molecular signalling, stem cell proliferation and differentiation, metabolism regulation, and hormonal imbalance, as well as their potential effects in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. The biological actions of diet and its active natural components have been mainly attributed to their multiple actions affecting various cellular and hormonal pathways. For example, the mechanisms by which natural products could exert their antihypertensive effect have shown a multiplicity of actions (e.g., increased NO production, inhibition of renin release and ACE activity, angiotensin receptor and calcium channel blockade, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, and opioid agonistic effects)

This Special Issue will collate recent high-quality research in the field of appetite regulation, the gut microbiota, and the probiotic actions of phytochemicals, focusing on the investigation of gut-related mechanisms in relation to functional foods, including gut hormones, gastrointestinal motility, gut–brain communication, and the roles of diet and the microbiome. Both original research articles and reviews (clinical and preclinical) as well as animal research work are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Emad Al-Dujaili
Dr. Catherine Tsang
Guest Editors

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• diet
• appetite
• gut microbiome
• gut hormones
• obesity
• diabetes
• gut–brain communication