Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
9.2
4.8
Journals
Nutrients
Special Issues
Bioactive Compounds and Functional Foods in Human Health
nutrients-logo
Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for Nutrients Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Bioactive Compounds and Functional Foods in Human Health

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Phytochemicals and Human Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 October 2024 | Viewed by 3919

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Vassilis Athanasiadis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Thessaly, Terma N. Temponera Str., 43100 Karditsa, Greece
Interests: functional foods; polyphenols; antioxidants; public health; nutritional evaluation; natural product extracts
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Stavros I. Lalas

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Thessaly, Terma N. Temponera Str., 43100 Karditsa, Greece
Interests: food lipids; food analysis; pulsed electric field; cloud point extraction; deep eutectic solvents; humic and fulvic acids
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Theodoros G. Chatzimitakos

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Thessaly, Terma N. Temponera Str., 43100 Karditsa, Greece
Interests: antioxidant compounds; bioactive compounds; sample preparation; extraction; nanomaterials; metabolomics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Bioactive compounds are important for developing functional foods that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition. These substances, many of which are sourced from plants, include polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, and vitamins. They have been recognized for their potential in promoting biological processes and contributing to the prevention and management of chronic diseases like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer. Numerous studies have examined bioactive substances’ anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, and antioxidant qualities. Functional foods enriched with these compounds can target specific mechanisms, offering a promising approach to disease management and prevention and overall health enhancement.

The most recent findings on bioactive compounds and functional foods in relation to human health are highlighted in this Special Issue of Nutrients. We invite researchers, scientists, and industry experts from food and nutritional sciences to share their expertise and contribute to this Special Issue.

Dr. Vassilis Athanasiadis
Prof. Dr. Stavros I. Lalas
Dr. Theodoros G. Chatzimitakos
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • antioxidants
  • bioactive compounds
  • food technology
  • functional food
  • green extraction techniques
  • health potentials
  • molecular mechanisms
  • polyphenols
  • shelf life
  • vitamins

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

12 pages, 1341 KiB  
Article
Beneficial Effects of Ginger Extract on Eye Fatigue and Shoulder Stiffness: A Randomized, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Parallel Study
by Fumiko Higashikawa, Yuta Nakaniida, Hongyang Li, Lian Liang, Keishi Kanno, Keiko Ogawa-Ochiai and Yoshiaki Kiuchi
Nutrients 2024, 16(16), 2715; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16162715 - 15 Aug 2024
Abstract
This study aimed to assess ginger extract’s impact on ocular and peripheral blood flow and its potential to alleviate eye fatigue and shoulder stiffness. This study included 100 healthy individuals aged 20–73 years with eye fatigue and shoulder stiffness. Participants were randomly assigned [...] Read more.
This study aimed to assess ginger extract’s impact on ocular and peripheral blood flow and its potential to alleviate eye fatigue and shoulder stiffness. This study included 100 healthy individuals aged 20–73 years with eye fatigue and shoulder stiffness. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either placebo capsules or ginger extract capsules daily for eight weeks. Ocular blood flow, peripheral blood flow, eye fatigue (visual analog scale [VAS]), shoulder stiffness (VAS), body warmth (VAS), and shoulder muscle stiffness were assessed at weeks 0, 4, and 8, respectively. No improvement in ocular blood flow was observed under the study conditions. Conversely, peripheral blood flow in deep areas was enhanced in females (p = 0.033). Subgroup analysis by age (≥51 or <51 years) revealed that ginger’s effect on enhancing peripheral blood flow in deep vessels was restricted in females under 51 (p = 0.017). Similarly, subjective complaints of eye fatigue and shoulder stiffness were improved by ginger consumption in females under 51. Body warmth was favorably changed significantly in males ≥51 years due to ginger consumption. The muscle stiffness showed no statistically significant changes. In conclusion, ginger consumption reduces eye fatigue and shoulder stiffness by enhancing peripheral blood flow in relatively young females. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds and Functional Foods in Human Health)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 4209 KiB  
Article
Quinoa Polyphenol Extract Alleviates Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease via Inhibiting Lipid Accumulation, Inflammation and Oxidative Stress
by Wenjun Yao, Mingcong Fan, Haifeng Qian, Yan Li and Li Wang
Nutrients 2024, 16(14), 2276; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16142276 - 15 Jul 2024
Viewed by 879
Abstract
Recently, the incidence of NAFLD has exploded globally, but there are currently no officially approved medications for treating the condition. The regulation of NAFLD through plant-derived active substances has become a new area of interest. Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) has been discovered [...] Read more.
Recently, the incidence of NAFLD has exploded globally, but there are currently no officially approved medications for treating the condition. The regulation of NAFLD through plant-derived active substances has become a new area of interest. Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) has been discovered to contain a large quantity of bioactive compounds. In this study, we established a free fatty acid (FFA)-induced steatosis model and explored the effects of quinoa polyphenol extract (QPE) on the major hallmarks of NAFLD. The results indicated that QPE significantly reduced intracellular triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels. Additionally, QPE remarkably elevated the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) and lowered levels of malondialdehyde (MDA). Further examination revealed that QPE attenuated intracellular inflammation, which was verified by the reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Mechanistically, QPE inhibited fatty acid biosynthesis mainly by targeting de novo lipogenesis (DNL) via the AMPK/SREBP-1c signaling pathway. Moreover, network pharmacology was used to analyze key targets for NAFLD mitigation by ferulic acid (FA), a major component of QPE. Taken together, this study suggests that QPE could ameliorate NAFLD by modulating hepatic lipid metabolism and alleviating oxidative stress and inflammation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds and Functional Foods in Human Health)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 3510 KiB  
Article
Effect of the Administration of Cordyceps militaris Mycelium Extract on Blood Markers for Anemia in Long-Distance Runners
by Akira Nakamura, Eri Shinozaki, Yoshio Suzuki, Kazuki Santa, Yoshio Kumazawa, Fumio Kobayashi, Isao Nagaoka and Natsue Koikawa
Nutrients 2024, 16(12), 1835; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16121835 - 11 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1382
Abstract
In the present study, we conducted a placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group comparison trial in which an extract of Cordyceps militaris (CM) mycelium was administered to long-distance runners for 16 weeks during the pre-season training period and blood test markers for anemia were investigated. The [...] Read more.
In the present study, we conducted a placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group comparison trial in which an extract of Cordyceps militaris (CM) mycelium was administered to long-distance runners for 16 weeks during the pre-season training period and blood test markers for anemia were investigated. The results indicated that the change rates of serum ferritin levels were moderately increased in the CM group (n = 11) but decreased in the placebo group (n = 11) during the study period, and the levels were significantly increased in the CM group compared with those in the placebo group at 4 weeks and 8 weeks after the test food intake (p < 0.05). Moreover, the change rates of hemoglobin and hematocrit were significantly increased in the CM group compared with those in the placebo group at 8 weeks after the test food intake (p < 0.05). These observations suggest that the intake of test food containing Cordyceps militaris mycelium extract is expected to effectively maintain the hemoglobin and hematocrit levels in long-distance runners, possibly via the suppression of the decrease in iron storage, which is reflected by serum ferritin, during pre-season training. Furthermore, the levels of creatine kinase were increased above the normal range in both the placebo and CM groups at registration. Interestingly, the creatine kinase levels were significantly decreased in the CM group compared with those in the placebo group at 16 weeks after the test food intake (p < 0.05). These results suggest that Cordyceps militaris mycelium extract exhibits a protective action on the muscle damage observed in long-distance runners and may suppress muscle injury. Together, these observations suggest that Cordyceps militaris mycelium extract exhibits an improving effect on the markers for not only anemia, but also muscle injury in long-distance runners during pre-season training. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds and Functional Foods in Human Health)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

16 pages, 1338 KiB  
Review
Antitumor Effects of Resveratrol Opposing Mechanisms of Helicobacter pylori in Gastric Cancer
by Daniela Trautmann, Francesca Suazo, Keila Torres and Layla Simón
Nutrients 2024, 16(13), 2141; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16132141 - 4 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1018
Abstract
Gastric cancer is an aggressive and multifactorial disease. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is identified as a significant etiological factor in gastric cancer. Although only a fraction of patients infected with H. pylori progresses to gastric cancer, bacterial infection is critical in [...] Read more.
Gastric cancer is an aggressive and multifactorial disease. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is identified as a significant etiological factor in gastric cancer. Although only a fraction of patients infected with H. pylori progresses to gastric cancer, bacterial infection is critical in the pathology and development of this malignancy. The pathogenic mechanisms of this bacterium involve the disruption of the gastric epithelial barrier and the induction of chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, angiogenesis and metastasis. Adherence molecules, virulence (CagA and VacA) and colonization (urease) factors are important in its pathogenicity. On the other hand, resveratrol is a natural polyphenol with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Resveratrol also inhibits cancer cell proliferation and angiogenesis, suggesting a role as a potential therapeutic agent against cancer. This review explores resveratrol as an alternative cancer treatment, particularly against H. pylori-induced gastric cancer, due to its ability to mitigate the pathogenic effects induced by bacterial infection. Resveratrol has shown efficacy in reducing the proliferation of gastric cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the synergistic effects of resveratrol with chemotherapy and radiotherapy underline its therapeutic potential. However, further research is needed to fully describe its efficacy and safety in treating gastric cancer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds and Functional Foods in Human Health)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-4
Back to TopTop