Functional Foods and Metabolic Health
A special issue of Metabolites (ISSN 2218-1989). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Metabolism".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 5 June 2026 | Viewed by 11
Special Issue Editor
Interests: cardiovascular health; metabolic syndrome; inflammation; nutraceuticals; dietary supplements; precision nutrition; oxidative stress; gut microbiota; immunometabolism; bioactive compounds; chronic disease prevention; exercise; clinical trials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Recently, functional foods have gathered significant attention for their roles in improving metabolic health and preventing chronic diseases. Beyond offering basic nutrition, these foods contain bioactive compounds—such as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, fiber, probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, and phytochemicals—that can modulate key metabolic pathways.
Phytocompounds, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, alkaloids, terpenoids, glucosinolates, saponins, lignans, tannins, and organosulfur compounds, are not essential nutrients; however, they may influence the molecular mechanisms involved in metabolic regulation. Their effects are increasingly being investigated by using metabolomics, a powerful systems biology approach that enables the comprehensive analysis of small-molecule metabolites in biological samples.
Metabolic health refers to the optimal functioning of physiological processes that regulate blood glucose, lipid profiles, blood pressure, and adiposity. Disruptions in these processes are implicated in conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome. Metabolomics approaches, including untargeted and targeted profiling, are instrumental to identifying biomarkers and elucidating how functional foods impact metabolic networks.
Examples of functional foods with demonstrated metabolic effects include oats (rich in β-glucan), fatty fish (high in omega-3 fatty acids), fermented products (such as yogurt), and plant-based foods like legumes, fruits, and vegetables. Through metabolic pathway analysis, researchers have demonstrated that components, such as soluble fiber, influence the glucose and lipid metabolisms. At the same time, probiotics modulate the gut-derived metabolites involved in systemic inflammation and insulin sensitivity.
Incorporating functional foods into a balanced diet, along with physical activity and lifestyle modifications, presents a translational opportunity for improving metabolic health. Importantly, integrating metabolomics data with nutritional interventions enables a systems-level understanding of individual metabolic responses, thereby supporting the development of personalized nutrition strategies.
This Special Issue aims to publish high-quality research and review articles focused on the metabolite-level effects of functional foods, with an emphasis on elucidating metabolic pathways, gaining mechanistic insights, and applying systems metabolomics. We particularly welcome translational studies that explore the interplay between plant-derived compounds, dietary patterns, and synthetic agents in the context of metabolic disease prevention and therapy.
We appreciate your interest in our Special Issue and look forward to receiving your papers.
Dr. Lucas Fornari Laurindo
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. Metabolites is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2700 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
- metabolomics
- metabolic analyses
- functional foods
- metabolic health
- chronic disease prevention
- bioactive compounds
- antioxidants
- soluble fiber
- probiotics
- omega-3 fatty acids
- diabetes
- dyslipidemia
- gut microbiota
- obesity
- cardiovascular disease
- metabolic syndrome
- personalized nutrition
- nutritional interventions
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