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Functional Foods, Gut Microbiota, and Health Benefits
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Functional Foods, Gut Microbiota, and Health Benefits

A special issue of Foods (ISSN 2304-8158). This special issue belongs to the section "Food Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 January 2026 | Viewed by 4530

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Pedro Miguel Silva

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Avenida Mestre José Veiga s/n, 4715-330 Braga, Portugal
Interests: nanoencapsulation; functional foods; electrohydrodynamic processing; carbon dots; packaging solutions
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Ana Isabel Bourbon

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Avenida Mestre José Veiga s/n, 4715-330 Braga, Portugal
Interests: micro- and nano-encapsulation; bio-based materials; gut-on-chip; intelligent delivery systems

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Functional foods can be roughly defined as food products that are consumed within a regular diet and have been proven to display potential health benefits and/or to reduce the risk of chronic diseases. They can be categorized based on the method and goal of their fortification (e.g., naturally present foods, enriched foods, altered foods, enhanced foods, and fortified foods). They have attracted increased interest in recent years as consumers are more aware of the impact of their diet on their health. The broad category of functional foods includes prebiotics, probiotics, dietary fibers, and other compounds that can have an impact on the human gut microbiota. Recently, the human gut microbiota, its relationship with dietary habits, and the metabolites found in the gut have been linked to several health conditions and diseases (e.g., diabetes, autoimmune diseases, allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, and hepatic inflammation). As such, the interplay between our dietary habits and their influence on our gut microbiota and its health impacts is worthy of further exploration, as it holds significant potential in the development of functional foods that promote overall health and disease prevention.

Dr. Pedro Miguel Silva
Dr. Ana Isabel Bourbon
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. Foods 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

  • functional foods
  • gut–brain axis
  • gut microbiota
  • health properties
  • bioactive compounds
  • probiotics
  • prebiotics
  • food personalization
  • gut microbiome
  • novel foods

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 1768 KiB  
Article
Oral Administration of an Opuntia ficus-indica Fruit Extract Induces Changes in Gut Microbiota Composition: Relationship with Its Anti-Obesity and Anti-Steatotic Effects in Rats Fed a High-Fat High-Fructose Diet
by Iker Gómez-García, Irene Besné-Eseverri, Maria P. Portillo, Alfredo Fernández-Quintela, Ligia Esperanza Díaz, Jose I. Riezu-Boj, Fermín I. Milagro and Jenifer Trepiana
Foods 2025, 14(16), 2891; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14162891 - 20 Aug 2025
Viewed by 163
Abstract
Diseases such as obesity and metabolic-dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) are often associated with changes in gut microbiota composition. The present study aims to investigate the relationship between the potential preventive effects of an Opuntia ficus-indica var. colorada cactus pulp extract on obesity [...] Read more.
Diseases such as obesity and metabolic-dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) are often associated with changes in gut microbiota composition. The present study aims to investigate the relationship between the potential preventive effects of an Opuntia ficus-indica var. colorada cactus pulp extract on obesity and hepatic steatosis, and changes in gut microbiota composition, in a murine model fed a high-fat high-fructose diet. The low-dose extract was the most effective in reducing hepatic TG (−12.5%) and the weight of subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue (−18.4% and 11.4%, respectively), while the high dose led to improved serum lipid profile (−74.2% in TG, −37.2% in total cholesterol, −50.5% in non-HDL cholesterol and +71.7% in HDL cholesterol). Opuntia extract supplementation did not prevent the dysbiosis in gut microbiota produced by the high-fat high-fructose diet. However, modifications in its composition, consistent with an increment in both Adlercreutzia muris and Cutibacterium acnes, and a reduction in Massiliimalia timonensis, were observed. It can be proposed that these changes may contribute to the extract effects against obesity and liver steatosis. Nevertheless, further research is required to establish a direct link between the anti-obesity and anti-steatotic effects and the functionality of the bacteria modified by the treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Foods, Gut Microbiota, and Health Benefits)
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11 pages, 1523 KiB  
Communication
Sex-Related Anti-Nociceptive Activity of a Flavonoid-Based Formulated Extract from Citrus Peels (Gold Lotion): New Insights into a Rat Model
by Alessandro Di Cerbo, Mario Nicotra, Michiko Suzawa, Tommaso Iannitti and Julio Cesar Morales-Medina
Foods 2025, 14(16), 2877; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14162877 - 19 Aug 2025
Viewed by 168
Abstract
Inflammatory pain is a worldwide health problem, affecting primarily women. Nonetheless, most research conducted in this field has involved male subjects, and only 10% of the results have been obtained using females. Gold Lotion (GL) is a formulated product made from the peels [...] Read more.
Inflammatory pain is a worldwide health problem, affecting primarily women. Nonetheless, most research conducted in this field has involved male subjects, and only 10% of the results have been obtained using females. Gold Lotion (GL) is a formulated product made from the peels of six citrus fruits that have been proven, via experimental data, to possess several biological properties, such as anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antibacterial activities. This research aims to investigate the response to GL administration in two models of peripheral inflammation to assess potential sex differences. Carrageenan was used to induce mechanical allodynia and maximal edema within hours, serving as a model of acute inflammation, while Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA) was used to obtain similar results within days, resulting in a model of chronic inflammation. Acute GL administration reduced mechanical allodynia in both models and both sexes, with no anti-inflammatory effects observed. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the potential of GL to alleviate inflammatory pain in both males and females, thereby broadening its therapeutic applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Foods, Gut Microbiota, and Health Benefits)
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22 pages, 1811 KiB  
Article
A Balancing Act—20 Years of Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation in Europe: A Historical Perspective and Reflection
by Sonja Jost, Christian Herzig and Marc Birringer
Foods 2025, 14(9), 1651; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14091651 - 7 May 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2006
Abstract
The Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation (NHCR) has introduced a new regulatory perspective in food manufacturing, along with influencing consumers’ perception of health-related food claims. Since 2006, a new standard of science-based claims has significantly impacted the European health food market. Over the [...] Read more.
The Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation (NHCR) has introduced a new regulatory perspective in food manufacturing, along with influencing consumers’ perception of health-related food claims. Since 2006, a new standard of science-based claims has significantly impacted the European health food market. Over the years, numerous additional decisions have been made, and the ongoing process remains challenging for policymakers striving to harmonize consumer protection and trade within and outside the European Union (EU). This paper presents the current state of the NHCR’s implementation, along with key events aimed at enhancing understanding among consumer organizations and food industry stakeholders, while also offering an insider perspective on relevant policy issues. Additionally, we address two pertinent policy issues to elucidate the associated challenges and opportunities, providing insights to support informed decision-making by policymakers. We use the nutrient profiles framework as a case study to illustrate considerations underpinning the objective of “consumer protection”, while the “probiotics” market serves as an example for exploring the goal of “facilitation of trade”. This historical perspective and reflection lead us to propose possible solutions for future food regulation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Foods, Gut Microbiota, and Health Benefits)
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16 pages, 4081 KiB  
Article
Weizmannia coagulans BC99 Relieves Constipation Symptoms by Regulating Inflammatory, Neurotransmitter, and Lipid Metabolic Pathways: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
by Qiuxia Fan, Yinyin Gao, Yiqing Zhou, Jinghui Wu, Haotian Wang, Yao Dong, Zhonghui Gai, Ying Wu, Shuguang Fang and Shaobin Gu
Foods 2025, 14(4), 654; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14040654 - 15 Feb 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1670
Abstract
Probiotics have attracted increasing attention due to their benefits in terms of relieving gastrointestinal ailments, including constipation. This study evaluated the potential of Weizmannia coagulans BC99 for clinical remission of constipation in adults. In this randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial, 90 individuals with [...] Read more.
Probiotics have attracted increasing attention due to their benefits in terms of relieving gastrointestinal ailments, including constipation. This study evaluated the potential of Weizmannia coagulans BC99 for clinical remission of constipation in adults. In this randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial, 90 individuals with constipation were divided between a BC99 and a placebo group for an 8-week intervention duration. The spontaneous bowel movement (SBM) frequency, patient assessment of constipation symptoms (PAC-SYM), patient assessment of constipation quality of life (PAC-QOL), inflammatory cytokines, neurotransmitters, and serum metabolites were investigated before and after the intervention. The results showed that BC99 intervention significantly improved constipation symptoms and quality of life in adults with constipation, as evidenced by an increased SBM score and decreased PAC-SYM and PAC-QOL scores. Additionally, BC99 supplementation increased the levels of neurotransmitters (5-HT, MTL, AChE, and BDNF) associated with intestinal motility and alleviated inflammation in participants with constipation, as supported by higher levels of anti-inflammatory factors (IL-4, IL-10) and lower levels of pro-inflammatory factors (IL-6, IFN-γ) in the BC99 group. Furthermore, BC99 altered the abundance of 93 metabolites and affected biological pathways correlated with gastrointestinal motility, including sphingolipid metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis, and glycerophospholipid metabolism. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of the W. coagulans BC99 strain in relieving constipation in adults, and reveals its potential mechanism of action. These findings provide a scientific basis for BC99 as an effective and safe probiotic for constipation treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Foods, Gut Microbiota, and Health Benefits)
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