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Nutrients
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The Role of Functional Ingredients in Regulating Health Effects
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The Role of Functional Ingredients in Regulating Health Effects

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 June 2025 | Viewed by 5728

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Yu Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Key Laboratory of Dairy Science, Ministry of Education, Department of Food Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
Interests: functional foods; bioactive compounds; probiotics; nutrition; dietary interventions; chronic disease prevention; gastrointestinal tract

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The role of functional ingredients in regulating health effects has garnered increasing attention in the field of nutrition and public health. Functional ingredients are bioactive compounds found in foods that have beneficial effects on health beyond basic nutrition. This Special Issue aims to explore the diverse array of functional ingredients and their impact on human health. Topics of interest include but are not limited to the mechanisms of action of functional ingredients, their role in chronic disease prevention, their effects on specific health outcomes, and their potential application in dietary interventions. By elucidating the mechanisms underlying the health effects of functional ingredients and their practical implications, this Special Issue seeks to contribute to the advancement of nutritional science and public health practice.

Dr. Yu Zhang
Guest Editor

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.

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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

  • bioactive compounds
  • health promotion
  • bioavailability
  • dietary interventions
  • nutritional biochemistry
  • metabolic health

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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25 pages, 10560 KiB  
Article
Effects of Lactobacillus paracei JY062 Postbiotic on Intestinal Barrier, Immunity, and Gut Microbiota
by Jinfeng Guo, Ying Zhao, Wenqian Guo, Yilin Sun, Wei Zhang, Qianyu Zhao, Yu Zhang and Yujun Jiang
Nutrients 2025, 17(7), 1272; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17071272 - 5 Apr 2025
Viewed by 484
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Research on postbiotics derived from probiotic fermented milk bases require further expansion, and the mechanisms through which they exert their effects have yet to be fully elucidated. This study utilized in vitro cell co-culture, digestion, and fermentation experiments, combined with targeted T500 [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Research on postbiotics derived from probiotic fermented milk bases require further expansion, and the mechanisms through which they exert their effects have yet to be fully elucidated. This study utilized in vitro cell co-culture, digestion, and fermentation experiments, combined with targeted T500 technology, to elucidate the mechanism by which postbiotic Pa JY062 safeguards intestinal health. Compared to the LPS group, Pa JY062 boosted phagocytic ability in RAW264.7 macrophages, decreased NO levels, and alleviated LPS-induced excessive inflammation. Pa JY062 suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-17α, and TNF-α) while elevating anti-inflammatory IL-10. It prevented LPS-induced TEER reduction in Caco-2 monolayers, decreased FITC-dextran permeability, restored intestinal microvilli integrity, and upregulated tight junction genes (ZO-1, occludin, claudin-1, and E-cadherin). The hydrolysis rate of Pa JY062 progressively rose in gastrointestinal fluids in 0–120 min. At 5 mg/mL, it enriched gut microbiota diversity and elevated proportions of Limosilactobacillus, Lactobacillus, Pediococcus, and Lacticaseibacillus while augmenting the microbial production of acetic acid (120.2 ± 8.08 μg/mL), propionic acid (9.9 ± 0.35 μg/mL), and butyric acid (10.55 ± 0.13 μg/mL). Pa JY062 incorporated αs-casein/β-lactoglobulin hydrolysate (L-glutamic acid, alanine, lysine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, histidine, and arginine) to mitigate protein allergenic potential while harboring bioactive components, including tryptophan metabolites, vitamin B6 (VB6), and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Pa JY062 represented a novel postbiotic with demonstrated intestinal health-promoting properties. These findings advance the current knowledge on postbiotic-mediated gut homeostasis regulation and expedite the translational development of dairy-derived postbiotic formulations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Functional Ingredients in Regulating Health Effects)
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16 pages, 3648 KiB  
Article
Effects of Guarana and Green Tea Consumption on Students’ Intellectual Performances
by Valentina Amaritei, Petronela-Elena Buruiana, Roxana Filip, Florin Filip, Ancuta Veronica Lupaescu, Monica Iavorschi and Roxana-Elena Gheorghita
Nutrients 2025, 17(6), 1000; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17061000 - 12 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1127
Abstract
Background: guarana and green tea are known as compounds that may improve cognitive performance due to their high content of caffeine and other neurostimulants, such as theobromine in the case of guarana and ECGC (apigalocatechin-3-galate) in that of green tea. Methods: this study [...] Read more.
Background: guarana and green tea are known as compounds that may improve cognitive performance due to their high content of caffeine and other neurostimulants, such as theobromine in the case of guarana and ECGC (apigalocatechin-3-galate) in that of green tea. Methods: this study investigates the effects of Paullinia cupana (guarana) and Camellia sinensis consumption on students’ intellectual performance. The study group consisted of 33 students, mostly women, from various faculties. During the studied period, they consumed 2 g guarana per day for ten days and 1.5 g green tea per day for ten days. The students completed three cognitive tests before and after administration of the products, measuring reaction speed, memory, and attention. They also completed questionnaires regarding health status, product information, product quality, purchase intention, consumer confidence in the product, and perception of effects and preferences. Results and discussion: the results showed that both guarana and green tea fostered significant improvements in cognitive performance. However, more people felt the effect of guarana than the effect of green tea. The study found a strong correlation between cognitive effects and guarana administration, including improvements in energy and retention of information. For green tea, a calming effect and state of well-being were the most relevant responses. Conclusions: the findings suggest that guarana and green tea may constitute a useful strategy for improving academic performance. However, further research is needed to determine optimal doses, frequency of consumption, and potential long-term effects on cognitive function. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Functional Ingredients in Regulating Health Effects)
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19 pages, 4903 KiB  
Article
Effects of Lebanese Folk Herbs on Adult Male Rats: Hepatic and Renal Toxicity, Histological, and Biochemical Studies
by Rana R. Khalaf, Noura S. Abouzeinab and Mahmoud I. Khalil
Nutrients 2025, 17(5), 875; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17050875 - 28 Feb 2025
Viewed by 566
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Lepidium sativum, Ferula hermonis, Origanum majorana, and Eruca sativa are frequently consumed as a traditional Middle Eastern medicine to promote health and treat various diseases. However, concerns have been raised about their possible harmful effect in humans. Limited [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Lepidium sativum, Ferula hermonis, Origanum majorana, and Eruca sativa are frequently consumed as a traditional Middle Eastern medicine to promote health and treat various diseases. However, concerns have been raised about their possible harmful effect in humans. Limited research has examined their chronic toxicity in rats, and their combined exposure effects are still unknown. Hence, this research aimed to evaluate their potential hepato- and nephrotoxic effects. Methods: Aqueous extracts of the selected plants, with a dose of 100 mg/kg, were administered separately and as a mixture daily for 60 days. Blood and tissue were sampled from 28 rats, and organ weight, biochemical markers for kidney and liver function, and histopathological examination were assessed. Results: The results indicated increased liver weight, liver and kidney malondialdehyde, alanine transaminase, and urea, and decreased serum creatinine and kidney glutathione levels. Additionally, histological examinations showed liver and kidney architectural damage. Further, the extent of toxicity varied among the plants. Conclusions: In conclusion, the results revealed that the corresponding plant extracts’ oral administration affects biological functions and promotes liver and kidney oxidative damage in rats, with FH and ES exhibiting the highest level of liver toxicity and ES and MIX showing the highest level of kidney toxicity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Functional Ingredients in Regulating Health Effects)
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Review

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15 pages, 1424 KiB  
Review
Micronutrient–Antioxidant Therapy and Male Fertility Improvement During ART Cycles
by Marwa Lahimer, Severine Capelle, Elodie Lefranc, Dorian Bosquet, Nadia Kazdar, Anne Ledu, Mounir Agina, Rosalie Cabry and Moncef BenKhalifa
Nutrients 2025, 17(2), 324; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17020324 - 17 Jan 2025
Viewed by 3058
Abstract
Today, accumulating evidence highlights the impact of oxidative stress (OS) on semen quality. It is considered to be a key factor contributing to the decline in male fertility. OS is detected in 30–80% of men with infertility, highlighting its strong association with impaired [...] Read more.
Today, accumulating evidence highlights the impact of oxidative stress (OS) on semen quality. It is considered to be a key factor contributing to the decline in male fertility. OS is detected in 30–80% of men with infertility, highlighting its strong association with impaired reproductive function and with clinical outcomes following the use of assisted reproductive technologies. Spermatozoa are particularly vulnerable to oxidative damage due to their high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and limited antioxidant defense abilities. OS arises from an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species and the capacity to neutralize or repair their adverse effects. Evidence indicates that OS leads to lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and genomic instability. Micronutrient–antioxidant therapies can play a key role in infertility improvement by neutralizing free radicals and preventing cellular damage. Many different micronutrients, including L-carnitine, L-glutathione, coenzyme Q10, selenium, and zinc, as well as vitamins complexes, are proposed to improve sperm parameters and male fertility potential. This study aims to review the impact of antioxidant supplementation on semen parameters, including sperm volume, motility, concentration, morphology, genome integrity (maturity and fragmentation), and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. Antioxidant intake and a balanced lifestyle reduce oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, enhancing the spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis processes, improving sperm quality, and protecting DNA integrity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Functional Ingredients in Regulating Health Effects)
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