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Natural Food Ingredients—a Sustainable Health Approach for Chronic Disease Prevention

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 5 May 2025 | Viewed by 6298

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz, Instituto Universitário Egas Moniz, Campus Universitário, Quinta da Granja, Monte de Caparica, Caparica, Portugal
Interests: clinical design: methodologies and tools validation; food chemistry: antioxidants and related compounds; health data analysis; environmental health; neurodegenerative disease and handwriting
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Co-Guest Editor
1. Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz, Instituto Universitário Egas Moniz, Campus Universitário, Monte de Caparica, Caparica, Portugal
2. GENA (Applied Nutrition Research Group), School of Health & Science, Campus Universitário, Monte de Caparica, Caparica, Portugal
Interests: clinical nutrition; dietary strategies for metabolic diseases; nutrition in rheumatic disease; metabolism of plant bioactive compounds and health benefits; oxidative stress; diabetes mellitus
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Co-Guest Editor
Applied Nutrition Research Group (GENA), Nutrition Lab, CIIEM—Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, Caparica, 2829-511 Almada, Portugal
Interests: foods; nutrition education; food intake assessment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The antioxidants present in food have been shown to play a key role in the prevention of various diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, dietary antioxidants seem to exert an anti-aging role. The beneficial effect of dietary antioxidants has been associated with the regulation of metabolic processes or the control of physiological functions. In this context, it is important to explore new therapeutic approaches supported by the molecular mechanisms of dietary antioxidants.

In order to promote new insights into old concepts about dietary antioxidants, this Special Issue aims to present innovations in research. We invite the submission of articles that focus on the following: the metabolic pathways of phytochemicals; the natural sources of antioxidants; the role of antioxidants in biological systems; oxidative stress in disease; the relationship between phytochemicals and health benefits; the effect of phytochemicals on cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, cancer, and other diseases; the phytochemicals as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents; molecular insights into phytochemicals; the relationship between gut microbiota and phytochemicals; and advanced techniques for antioxidant evaluation.

Interventional studies that evaluate the relationship of several factors, original pre-clinical and clinical studies, and reviews will be considered. We believe this Special Issue will bring together different publications with new ideas about antioxidants and health.

Dr. Maria Alexandra Bernardo
Dr. Maria Leonor Silva
Dr. Paula C. Pereira
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. Nutrients 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

  • antioxidants
  • diet
  • phytochemicals
  • bioactive compounds
  • food constituents
  • health
  • natural food ingredients
  • chronic diseases

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Review

20 pages, 3326 KiB  
Review
Targeting Bile-Acid Metabolism: Nutritional and Microbial Approaches to Alleviate Ulcerative Colitis
by Xiaoxin Jiang, Jingyi Ren, Gejun Yu, Wentao Wu, Mengyuan Chen, Yun Zhao and Canxia He
Nutrients 2025, 17(7), 1174; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17071174 - 28 Mar 2025
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Abstract
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the colorectum, posing a significant global health burden. Recent studies highlight the critical role of gut microbiota and its metabolites, particularly bile acids (BAs), in UC’s pathogenesis. The relationship between BAs and gut microbiota [...] Read more.
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the colorectum, posing a significant global health burden. Recent studies highlight the critical role of gut microbiota and its metabolites, particularly bile acids (BAs), in UC’s pathogenesis. The relationship between BAs and gut microbiota is bidirectional: microbiota influence BA composition, while BAs regulate microbiota diversity and activity through receptors like Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5). Targeting bile-acid metabolism to reshape gut microbiota presents a promising therapeutic strategy for UC. This review examines the classification and synthesis of BAs, their interactions with gut microbiota, and the potential of nutritional and microbial interventions. By focusing on these therapies, we aim to offer innovative approaches for effective UC management. Full article
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37 pages, 930 KiB  
Review
Solid-State Fermented Cereals: Increased Phenolics and Their Role in Attenuating Liver Diseases
by Ganesha Yanuar Arief Wijaya, Andrea Vornoli, Lucia Giambastiani, Maria Digiacomo, Marco Macchia, Bartłomiej Szymczak, Marta Wójcik, Luisa Pozzo and Vincenzo Longo
Nutrients 2025, 17(5), 900; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17050900 - 4 Mar 2025
Viewed by 832
Abstract
Liver diseases, a leading cause of global mortality, necessitate effective dietary strategies. Fermented cereals, traditionally recognized for benefits in glucose regulation, lipid profiles, and antioxidant activity, hold potential for managing conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. However, their specific impact [...] Read more.
Liver diseases, a leading cause of global mortality, necessitate effective dietary strategies. Fermented cereals, traditionally recognized for benefits in glucose regulation, lipid profiles, and antioxidant activity, hold potential for managing conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. However, their specific impact on liver health requires further investigation. Fermentation, particularly solid-state fermentation (SSF), enhances the bioavailability of beneficial compounds, including phenolics. This review summarizes recent studies on the phenolic content of fermented cereals, highlighting variations based on microbial strains and cereal types. It examines the hepatoprotective effects of these phenolics, drawing on in vivo and in vitro research. Furthermore, the review explores recent findings on the impact of fermented cereals on liver health and related diseases. This work provides a foundation for future research exploring fermented cereals as a dietary intervention for liver disease prevention and management. Full article
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13 pages, 287 KiB  
Review
Mediterranean Dietary Pattern for Healthy and Active Aging: A Narrative Review of an Integrative and Sustainable Approach
by Polina Dobroslavska, Maria Leonor Silva, Filipa Vicente and Paula Pereira
Nutrients 2024, 16(11), 1725; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16111725 - 31 May 2024
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4297
Abstract
The global population is on a trajectory of continuous growth, with estimates projecting an increase from 7.7 billion in 2019 to approximately 9.7 billion by 2050. Longevity is also expected to rise rapidly, with advancements in healthcare contributing to increased life expectancies and [...] Read more.
The global population is on a trajectory of continuous growth, with estimates projecting an increase from 7.7 billion in 2019 to approximately 9.7 billion by 2050. Longevity is also expected to rise rapidly, with advancements in healthcare contributing to increased life expectancies and an increase in the maximum lifespan. The aging process is accompanied by different changes, often leading to a decline in daily life activities and an increased susceptibility to disease. Age-related changes can cause cellular damage and subsequent cellular death. Oxidative stress and inflammation play significant roles in this process contributing to molecular damage and mitochondrial dysfunction. Active aging has been associated with improved quality of life and a reduced risk of morbidity and premature mortality. In this context, the Mediterranean diet has emerged as a promising approach to promoting healthy aging and sustainability. The phytochemical compounds within the Mediterranean diet have been linked to a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. The findings of peer-reviewed articles regarding the use of the Mediterranean diet as a healthy and sustainable dietary pattern written in Portuguese, Spanish or English were included in this narrative literature review. This dietary pattern’s emphasis on the consumption of fresh and local food aligns with both health and environmental sustainability goals. This work provides a comprehensive review of the benefits of the Mediterranean diet and its components in a healthy aging process and highlights the importance of this dietary pattern as a sustainable approach. Full article
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