Beyond Sustenance: The Rise of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods in Health and Well-Being
A special issue of Foods (ISSN 2304-8158). This special issue belongs to the section "Food Nutrition".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 January 2026 | Viewed by 34
Special Issue Editor
Interests: nutraceuticals; functional foods; fermented foods; biotechnologies; antioxidants; bioactive peptides; food components; in vitro digestion; food analysis; foods biological and functional activities; inflammation; ER stress; oxidative stress; cell cultures; human pathologies; human chronic diseases; fermentation and health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The paradigm of nutrition is undergoing a profound transformation. Beyond basic sustenance, there is a rapidly growing global demand for foods that offer additional physiological benefits, paving the way for the era of nutraceuticals and functional foods. These products, which exist at the intersection of food and medicine, represent a frontier in preventive health and personalized nutrition, aiming to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and enhance overall well-being.
The market is flooded with products that claim health benefits, but the scientific validation for many of these claims remains a critical challenge. Rigorous scientific investigation is essential to substantiate health claims, ensure safety, and unlock the full potential of bioactive compounds derived from natural sources. This requires a multidisciplinary approach, integrating knowledge from chemistry, biology, food technology, pharmacology, and clinical sciences.
This Special Issue, "Beyond Sustenance: The Rise of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods in Health and Well-Being," aims to create a comprehensive and authoritative collection of the latest high-impact research in this dynamic field. We invite the submission of original research articles, reviews, and perspective pieces that cover all aspects of nutraceuticals and functional foods.
Topics of particular interest include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Identification and characterization of novel bioactive compounds from plant, animal, and microbial sources.
- Advanced extraction and purification technologies for enhancing yield and stability.
- In vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies to elucidate mechanisms of action and validate health benefits.
- Bioavailability, metabolism, and innovative delivery systems for targeted and enhanced efficacy.
- Application of 'omics' technologies (genomics, proteomics, metabolomics) in functional food research.
- Development and formulation of new functional food products and dietary supplements.
- Safety assessment, quality control, and regulatory aspects of nutraceuticals.
- The role of functional foods in managing chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer.
We encourage contributions that not only advance our fundamental understanding but also offer insights into the translation of scientific discoveries into tangible products that can improve public health. Together, let us build a landmark Special Issue that showcases the cutting-edge science driving the future of nutrition.
We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions.
Dr. Morena Gabriele
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.
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
- nutraceuticals
- functional foods
- bioactive compounds
- phytochemicals
- chronic disease prevention
- food technology
- health claims
- dietary supplements
- metabolomics
- bioavailability
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