Functional Foods: Molecular Insights into Nutrition and Health
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Bioactives and Nutraceuticals".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 29
Special Issue Editor
Interests: food chemistry; nutrients; food processing and engineering; bioavailability; functional foods
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Functional foods represent a rapidly evolving area that combines the fundamentals of nutrition science, food engineering and technology, as well as preventive healthcare. These foods, beyond providing basic nutrition, offer additional health benefits that may reduce the risk of disease or promote optimal health. Functional foods impact health at the molecular level through several mechanisms. They regulate gut microbiota via probiotics and fibers, support the immune system by modulating inflammatory pathways, and aid metabolism through effects on glucose and lipid regulation. Technologies like nanotechnology, encapsulation, and fortification improve bioavailability and nutrient delivery. These foods help prevent chronic diseases by improving cardiovascular health, managing diabetes and obesity, and protecting against neurodegenerative diseases through bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, omega-3s, and antioxidants.
This Special Issue, “Functional Foods: Molecular Insights into Nutrition and Health”, seeks to explore the latest advancements, challenges, and applications in this dynamic field. We invite original research papers, reviews, and case studies that deepen our understanding of how functional foods contribute to public health outcomes and personalized nutrition strategies. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Bioactive Compounds: The identification, extraction, and analysis of health-promoting compounds such as polyphenols, probiotics, prebiotics, peptides, and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Mechanisms of Action: Investigations into how functional components influence physiological pathways, including gut microbiota modulation, immune response, and metabolic regulation.
- Product Development: Innovations in the formulation and delivery of functional foods, including nanotechnology, encapsulation, and fortification techniques.
- Clinical and Epidemiological Evidence: Studies assessing the efficacy of functional foods in disease prevention and management, including cardiovascular health, diabetes, obesity, and neurodegenerative diseases.
This Special Issue aims to serve as a multidisciplinary platform for scientists, health professionals, and industry stakeholders to collaborate in advancing knowledge and translating scientific insights into practical health solutions through functional foods.
Dr. Patroklos Vareltzis
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. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. 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
- bioactive compounds
- disease prevention
- nutritional health
- food innovation
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