{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,14]],"date-time":"2026-10-14T17:33:55Z","timestamp":1791999235604,"version":"4.4.0"},"reference-count":115,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"5","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,28]],"date-time":"2026-02-28T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1772236800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["IJMS"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Functional foods are a central paradigm in modern nutrition science, acting as effective vehicles for the delivery of bioactive compounds that link conventional nutrition and preventive medicine. Beyond their basic nutritional role, these foods are specifically designed or naturally enriched to convey biologically active constituents capable of modulating physiological functions and reducing the risk of chronic diseases, thereby supporting long-term health maintenance. The chemical composition of functional foods\u2014including polyphenols, phytosterols, vitamins and dietary fibers\u2014underlies their capacity to act as matrices that protect, transport, and enhance the bioavailability of bioactive molecules. This review provides an integrated nutritional perspective on functional foods, with particular emphasis on their role as delivery systems for health-promoting compounds. The molecular mechanisms by which food bioactives interact with cellular and molecular targets, regulate oxidative stress and inflammation, and modulate metabolic and immune pathways are critically discussed. Special attention is devoted to redox-active bioactives, the structural diversity and bioavailability of polyphenols, the cholesterol-lowering properties of phytosterols, the physiological relevance of fat- and water-soluble vitamins, and the complex interactions between functional foods, gut microbiota, prebiotics, probiotics, and dietary fibers. Overall, this review aims to provide a comprehensive scientific framework for understanding how functional foods can be strategically engineered and utilized as bioactive compound vehicles in health promotion and disease prevention.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ijms27052293","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,2]],"date-time":"2026-03-02T12:39:56Z","timestamp":1772455196000},"page":"2293","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":18,"title":["Functional Foods as Vehicles for Bioactive Compounds: Chemical and Nutritional Perspectives on Health and Disease Prevention"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"27","author":[{"given":"Rita Paola","family":"Debri","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, Via di Sant\u2019Alessandro 8, 00131 Rome, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-6524-4493","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Antonino","family":"De Lorenzo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome \u201cTor Vergata\u201d, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Raffaele","family":"Conte","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, Via di Sant\u2019Alessandro 8, 00131 Rome, Italy"},{"name":"Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems (IRET)-CNR, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy"},{"name":"National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), 90133 Palermo, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Gianfranco","family":"Peluso","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, Via di Sant\u2019Alessandro 8, 00131 Rome, Italy"},{"name":"Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems (IRET)-CNR, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,28]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Fekete, M., Lehoczki, A., Kryczyk-Poprawa, A., Z\u00e1b\u00f3, V., Varga, J.T., B\u00e1lint, M., Fazekas-Pongor, V., Cs\u00edp\u0151, T., Rz\u0105sa-Duran, E., and Varga, P. (2025). Functional Foods in Modern Nutrition Science: Mechanisms, Evidence, and Public Health Implications. Nutrients, 17.","DOI":"10.3390\/nu17132153"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Skenderidou, I., Leontopoulos, S., and Skenderidis, P. (2025). Functional Food Ingredients Enhancing Immune Health: A Systematic Review. Int. J. Mol. Sci., 26.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijms26178408"},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"100749","DOI":"10.1016\/j.focha.2024.100749","article-title":"A review on the influence of nutraceuticals and functional foods on health","volume":"5","author":"Vignesh","year":"2024","journal-title":"Food Chem. Adv."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Guo, M. (2009). Chapter 1\u2014Introduction to functional foods. Functional Foods, Woodhead Publishing.","DOI":"10.1533\/9781845696078.3"},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3765986","DOI":"10.1155\/2019\/3765986","article-title":"Bioactive Compounds of Food: Their Role in the Prevention and Treatment of Diseases","volume":"2019","author":"Teodoro","year":"2019","journal-title":"Oxidative Med. Cell. Longev."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"6421","DOI":"10.1080\/10408398.2021.1901650","article-title":"Influence of food matrix and food processing on the chemical interaction and bioaccessibility of dietary phytochemicals: A review","volume":"62","author":"Shahidi","year":"2022","journal-title":"Crit. Rev. Food Sci. Nutr."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kalogerakou, T., and Antoniadou, M. (2024). The Role of Dietary Antioxidants, Food Supplements and Functional Foods for Energy Enhancement in Healthcare Professionals. Antioxidants, 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/antiox13121508"},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Selvaraj, N.R., Nandan, D., Nair, B.G., Nair, V.A., Venugopal, P., and Aradhya, R. (2025). Oxidative Stress and Redox Imbalance: Common Mechanisms in Cancer Stem Cells and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Cells, 14.","DOI":"10.3390\/cells14070511"},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Altanam, S.Y., Darwish, N., and Bakillah, A. (2025). Exploring the Interplay of Antioxidants, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress: Mechanisms, Therapeutic Potential, and Clinical Implications. Diseases, 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/diseases13090309"},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"24","DOI":"10.1038\/s44324-025-00066-1","article-title":"Mechanisms and implications of the gut microbial modulation of intestinal metabolic processes","volume":"3","author":"Jyoti","year":"2025","journal-title":"npj Metab. Health Dis."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ballini, A., Charitos, I.A., Cantore, S., Topi, S., Bottalico, L., and Santacroce, L. (2023). About Functional Foods: The Probiotics and Prebiotics State of Art. Antibiotics, 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/antibiotics12040635"},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"193","DOI":"10.1016\/j.phrs.2010.01.001","article-title":"Phytosterols and cardiovascular health","volume":"61","author":"Marangoni","year":"2010","journal-title":"Pharm. Res."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2533429","DOI":"10.1080\/07853890.2025.2533429","article-title":"The role of fat-soluble vitamins on bone metabolism and osteoporosis: A literature review","volume":"57","author":"Li","year":"2025","journal-title":"Ann. Med."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Talib, W.H., Ahmed Jum\u2019AH, D.A., Attallah, Z.S., Jallad, M.S., Al Kury, L.T., Hadi, R.W., and Mahmod, A.I. (2024). Role of vitamins A, C, D, E in cancer prevention and therapy: Therapeutic potentials and mechanisms of action. Front. Nutr., 10.","DOI":"10.3389\/fnut.2023.1281879"},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"588","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1365-2125.2012.04425.x","article-title":"Bioavailability of bioactive food compounds: A challenging journey to bioefficacy","volume":"75","author":"Rein","year":"2013","journal-title":"Br. J. Clin. Pharmacol."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Garcia-Llorens, G., El Ouardi, M., and Valls-Belles, V. (2025). Oxidative Stress Fundamentals: Unraveling the Pathophysiological Role of Redox Imbalance in Non-Communicable Diseases. Appl. Sci., 15.","DOI":"10.3390\/app151810191"},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"19","DOI":"10.1038\/s41420-024-02278-8","article-title":"Free radicals and their impact on health and antioxidant defenses: A review","volume":"11","author":"Chandimali","year":"2025","journal-title":"Cell Death Discov."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"89","DOI":"10.1186\/s43556-025-00338-8","article-title":"ROS homeostasis in cell fate, pathophysiology, and therapeutic interventions","volume":"6","author":"Chen","year":"2025","journal-title":"Mol. Biomed."},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e70268","DOI":"10.1002\/mco2.70268","article-title":"Oxidative Stress: Signaling Pathways, Biological Functions, and Disease","volume":"6","author":"Liu","year":"2025","journal-title":"MedComm"},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"335","DOI":"10.1113\/jphysiol.2003.049478","article-title":"Mitochondrial formation of reactive oxygen species","volume":"552","author":"Turrens","year":"2003","journal-title":"J. Physiol."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Canton, M., S\u00e1nchez-Rodr\u00edguez, R., Spera, I., Venegas, F.C., Favia, M., Viola, A., and Castegna, A. (2021). Reactive Oxygen Species in Macrophages: Sources and Targets. Front. Immunol., 12.","DOI":"10.3389\/fimmu.2021.734229"},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Iacopetta, D., Ceramella, J., Catalano, A., Scali, E., Scumaci, D., Pellegrino, M., Aquaro, S., Saturnino, C., and Sinicropi, M.S. (2023). Impact of Cytochrome P450 Enzymes on the Phase I Metabolism of Drugs. Appl. Sci., 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/app13106045"},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"V\u00e1zquez-Gal\u00e1n, Y.I., Guzm\u00e1n-Silahua, S., Trujillo-Rangel, W.\u00c1., and Rodr\u00edguez-Lara, S.Q. (2025). Role of Ischemia\/Reperfusion and Oxidative Stress in Shock State. Cells, 14.","DOI":"10.20944\/preprints202503.1814.v1"},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"101475","DOI":"10.1016\/j.redox.2020.101475","article-title":"Redox toxicology of environmental chemicals causing oxidative stress","volume":"34","author":"Zheng","year":"2020","journal-title":"Redox Biol."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1915","DOI":"10.1083\/jcb.201708007","article-title":"Superoxide dismutases: Dual roles in controlling ROS damage and regulating ROS signaling","volume":"217","author":"Wang","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Cell Biol."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Mondola, P., Damiano, S., Sasso, A., and Santillo, M. (2016). The Cu, Zn Superoxide Dismutase: Not Only a Dismutase Enzyme. Front. Physiol., 7.","DOI":"10.3389\/fphys.2016.00594"},{"key":"ref_27","first-page":"1","article-title":"Therapeutic potentials of catalase: Mechanisms, applications, and future perspectives","volume":"18","author":"Rasheed","year":"2024","journal-title":"Int. J. Health Sci."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Orian, L., and Floh\u00e9, L. (2021). Selenium-Catalyzed Reduction of Hydroperoxides in Chemistry and Biology. Antioxidants, 10.","DOI":"10.3390\/antiox10101560"},{"key":"ref_29","first-page":"880","article-title":"The role of redox-active iron, copper, manganese, and redox-inactive zinc in toxicity, oxidative stress, and human diseases","volume":"24","author":"Jomova","year":"2025","journal-title":"EXCLI J."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"59","DOI":"10.1016\/S0009-2797(01)00209-5","article-title":"Prooxidant and antioxidant activities of bilirubin and its metabolic precursor biliverdin: A structure-activity study","volume":"137","author":"Asad","year":"2001","journal-title":"Chem.-Biol. Interact."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Albuja-Quintana, N., Chisaguano-Tonato, A.M., Herrera-Fontana, M.E., Figueroa-Samaniego, S., and Alvarez-Suarez, J.M. (2025). Relationship between plasma uric acid levels, antioxidant capacity, and oxidative damage markers in overweight and obese adults: A cross-sectional study. PLoS ONE, 20.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0312217"},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Grosso, G. (2018). Effects of Polyphenol-Rich Foods on Human Health. Nutrients, 10.","DOI":"10.3390\/nu10081089"},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Pot\u00ec, F., Santi, D., Spaggiari, G., Zimetti, F., and Zanotti, I. (2019). Polyphenol Health Effects on Cardiovascular and Neurodegenerative Disorders: A Review and Meta-Analysis. Int. J. Mol. Sci., 20.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijms20020351"},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Fekete, M., Jarecsny, T., Lehoczki, A., Major, D., Fazekas-Pongor, V., Cs\u00edp\u0151, T., Lip\u00e9cz, \u00c1., Szappanos, \u00c1., P\u00e1zm\u00e1ndi, E.M., and Varga, P. (2025). Mediterranean Diet, Polyphenols, and Neuroprotection: Mechanistic Insights into Resveratrol and Oleuropein. Nutrients, 17.","DOI":"10.3390\/nu17243929"},{"key":"ref_35","first-page":"114","article-title":"Polyphenol intake from a Mediterranean diet decreases inflammatory biomarkers related to atherosclerosis: A sub-study of The PREDIMED trial","volume":"83","author":"Casas","year":"2016","journal-title":"Br. J. Clin. Pharmacol."},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"28805","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-025-13104-1","article-title":"Comparative assessment of polyphenol stability, bioactivity, and digestive availability in purified compounds and fruit extracts from four black chokeberry cultivars","volume":"15","author":"Kapusta","year":"2025","journal-title":"Sci. Rep."},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"429","DOI":"10.1111\/nure.12114","article-title":"Dietary factors affecting polyphenol bioavailability","volume":"72","author":"Bohn","year":"2014","journal-title":"Nutr. Rev."},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"10956","DOI":"10.1039\/D4FO03549F","article-title":"Regulation of redox enzymes by nutraceuticals: A review of the roles of antioxidant polyphenols and peptides","volume":"15","author":"Abioye","year":"2024","journal-title":"Food Funct."},{"key":"ref_39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Popiolek-Kalisz, J., and Fornal, E. (2022). The Impact of Flavonols on Cardiovascular Risk. Nutrients, 14.","DOI":"10.3390\/nu14091973"},{"key":"ref_40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"28","DOI":"10.4162\/nrp.2011.5.1.28","article-title":"Effects of daily quercetin-rich supplementation on cardiometabolic risks in male smokers","volume":"5","author":"Lee","year":"2011","journal-title":"Nutr. Res. Pract."},{"key":"ref_41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"294","DOI":"10.1097\/HJH.0000000000000412","article-title":"Cocoa consumption dose-dependently improves flow-mediated dilation and arterial stiffness decreasing blood pressure in healthy individuals","volume":"33","author":"Grassi","year":"2015","journal-title":"J. Hypertens."},{"key":"ref_42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"11","DOI":"10.1016\/j.phytochem.2008.11.011","article-title":"The potential role of green tea catechins in the prevention of the metabolic syndrome\u2014A review","volume":"70","author":"Thielecke","year":"2009","journal-title":"Phytochemistry"},{"key":"ref_43","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"342","DOI":"10.1017\/S0029665116000240","article-title":"Berries and anthocyanins: Promising functional food ingredients with postprandial glycaemia-lowering effects","volume":"75","author":"Corpe","year":"2016","journal-title":"Proc. Nutr. Soc."},{"key":"ref_44","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ahles, S., Joris, P.J., and Plat, J. (2021). Effects of Berry Anthocyanins on Cognitive Performance, Vascular Function and Cardiometabolic Risk Markers: A Systematic Review of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Intervention Studies in Humans. Int. J. Mol. Sci., 22.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijms22126482"},{"key":"ref_45","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1118","DOI":"10.1093\/ajcn\/83.5.1118","article-title":"Soy isoflavones modulate immune function in healthy postmenopausal women2","volume":"83","author":"Park","year":"2006","journal-title":"Am. J. Clin. Nutr."},{"key":"ref_46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e17166","DOI":"10.1016\/j.heliyon.2023.e17166","article-title":"The protective roles of citrus flavonoids, naringenin, and naringin on endothelial cell dysfunction in diseases","volume":"9","author":"Adetunji","year":"2023","journal-title":"Heliyon"},{"key":"ref_47","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Zhang, Y., Zhang, Q., Wang, X., Jia, Y., Niu, Q., Ding, S., and Li, W. (2025). Effects of phytosterol-rich foods on lipid profile and inflammatory markers in patients with hyperlipidemia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front. Pharmacol., 16.","DOI":"10.3389\/fphar.2025.1619922"},{"key":"ref_48","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"142151","DOI":"10.1016\/j.foodchem.2024.142151","article-title":"Controlled lipid digestion in the development of functional and personalized foods for a tailored delivery of dietary fats","volume":"466","author":"Niu","year":"2025","journal-title":"Food Chem."},{"key":"ref_49","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"107681","DOI":"10.1016\/j.phrs.2025.107681","article-title":"Phytosterols and phytostanols in context: From physiology and pathophysiology to food supplementation and clinical practice","volume":"214","author":"Ruscica","year":"2025","journal-title":"Pharmacol. Res."},{"key":"ref_50","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gutierres, D., Pacheco, R., and Reis, C.P. (2025). The Role of Omega-3 and Omega-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation in Human Health. Foods, 14.","DOI":"10.20944\/preprints202508.0631.v1"},{"key":"ref_51","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"101165","DOI":"10.1016\/j.plipres.2022.101165","article-title":"Polyunsaturated fatty acids and fatty acid-derived lipid mediators: Recent advances in the understanding of their biosynthesis, structures, and functions","volume":"86","author":"Dyall","year":"2022","journal-title":"Prog. Lipid Res."},{"key":"ref_52","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"31933","DOI":"10.3402\/fnr.v60.31933","article-title":"Plasma phospholipid pentadecanoic acid, EPA, and DHA, and the frequency of dairy and fish product intake in young children","volume":"60","author":"Tapia","year":"2016","journal-title":"Food Nutr. Res."},{"key":"ref_53","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"295","DOI":"10.3945\/jn.112.160101","article-title":"Alterations in the Intestinal Assimilation of Oxidized PUFAs Are Ameliorated by a Polyphenol-Rich Grape Seed Extract in an In Vitro Model and Caco-2 Cells","volume":"143","author":"Maestre","year":"2013","journal-title":"J. Nutr."},{"key":"ref_54","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Li, X., Xin, Y., Mo, Y., Marozik, P., He, T., and Guo, H. (2022). The Bioavailability and Biological Activities of Phytosterols as Modulators of Cholesterol Metabolism. Molecules, 27.","DOI":"10.3390\/molecules27020523"},{"key":"ref_55","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"84","DOI":"10.1016\/j.numecd.2008.03.012","article-title":"Effects of a phytosterol-enriched dairy product on lipids, sterols and 8-isoprostane in hypercholesterolemic patients: A multicenter Italian study","volume":"19","author":"Mannarino","year":"2008","journal-title":"Nutr. Metab. Cardiovasc. Dis. NMCD"},{"key":"ref_56","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"331","DOI":"10.1161\/CIRCGENETICS.109.907873","article-title":"Genetic Regulation of Serum Phytosterol Levels and Risk of Coronary Artery Disease","volume":"3","author":"Teupser","year":"2010","journal-title":"Circ. Cardiovasc. Genet."},{"key":"ref_57","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"867","DOI":"10.1002\/JLB.2A1017-407RR","article-title":"Oxidized LDL phagocytosis during foam cell formation in atherosclerotic plaques relies on a PLD2-CD36 functional interdependence","volume":"103","author":"Ganesan","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Leukoc. Biol."},{"key":"ref_58","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"652","DOI":"10.3390\/nu2070652","article-title":"Health benefits of nut consumption","volume":"2","author":"Ros","year":"2010","journal-title":"Nutrients"},{"key":"ref_59","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ros, E., Singh, A., and O\u2019Keefe, J. (2021). Nuts: Natural Pleiotropic Nutraceuticals. Nutrients, 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/nu13093269"},{"key":"ref_60","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"296","DOI":"10.1186\/s12944-024-02246-2","article-title":"Beneficial effects of linoleic acid on cardiometabolic health: An update","volume":"23","author":"Jackson","year":"2024","journal-title":"Lipids Health Dis."},{"key":"ref_61","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"7018493","DOI":"10.1155\/jfq\/7018493","article-title":"Fatty Acid Quality in Sunflower and Frying Oils: Implications for Nutritional Health","volume":"2025","author":"Alhouei","year":"2025","journal-title":"J. Food Qual."},{"key":"ref_62","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"539426","DOI":"10.1155\/2012\/539426","article-title":"Health Implications of High Dietary Omega-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids","volume":"2012","author":"Patterson","year":"2012","journal-title":"J. Nutr. Metab."},{"key":"ref_63","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Tsoupras, A., Brummell, C., Kealy, C., Vitkaitis, K., Redfern, S., and Zabetakis, I. (2022). Cardio-Protective Properties and Health Benefits of Fish Lipid Bioactives; The Effects of Thermal Processing. Mar. Drugs, 20.","DOI":"10.3390\/md20030187"},{"key":"ref_64","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"140","DOI":"10.1016\/j.tifs.2022.01.006","article-title":"Futuristic food fortification with a balanced ratio of dietary \u03c9-3\/\u03c9-6 omega fatty acids for the prevention of lifestyle diseases","volume":"120","author":"Patel","year":"2022","journal-title":"Trends Food Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref_65","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Fang, M., Xiang, C., Zhang, L., and Li, P. (2025). Effect Differences of Omega-3 Fatty Acids From Plant Oil and Fish Oil on Human Health. AgriFood.","DOI":"10.1002\/agf2.70006"},{"key":"ref_66","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Fedotova, J.O. (2025). Vitamins in Health and Diseases. Vitamins and Human Health, IntechOpen.","DOI":"10.5772\/intechopen.1006241"},{"key":"ref_67","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"105428","DOI":"10.1016\/j.fbio.2024.105428","article-title":"Evaluation of bioaccessibility and bioavailability of dietary bioactives and their application in food systems","volume":"62","author":"Jia","year":"2024","journal-title":"Food Biosci."},{"key":"ref_68","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Andr\u00e8s, E., Lorenzo-Villalba, N., Terrade, J.E., and M\u00e9ndez-Bailon, M. (2024). Fat-Soluble Vitamins A, D, E, and K: Review of the Literature and Points of Interest for the Clinician. J. Clin. Med., 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm13133641"},{"key":"ref_69","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"83","DOI":"10.1039\/C4FO00725E","article-title":"Enhancing vitamin E bioaccessibility: Factors impacting solubilization and hydrolysis of \u03b1-tocopherol acetate encapsulated in emulsion-based delivery systems","volume":"6","author":"Yang","year":"2014","journal-title":"Food Funct."},{"key":"ref_70","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"225","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jand.2014.09.014","article-title":"Dietary Fat Increases Vitamin D-3 Absorption","volume":"115","author":"Harris","year":"2015","journal-title":"J. Acad. Nutr. Diet."},{"key":"ref_71","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"101848","DOI":"10.1016\/j.fochx.2024.101848","article-title":"Polyphenol co-pigments enhanced the antioxidant capacity and color stability of blue honeysuckle juice during storage","volume":"24","author":"Geng","year":"2024","journal-title":"Food Chem. X"},{"key":"ref_72","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"172","DOI":"10.1186\/s12934-024-02449-3","article-title":"Exploring the interaction and impact of probiotic and commensal bacteria on vitamins, minerals and short chain fatty acids metabolism","volume":"23","author":"Chassaing","year":"2024","journal-title":"Microb. Cell Factories"},{"key":"ref_73","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"56","DOI":"10.1017\/S0029665118002501","article-title":"Relationship between nutritional status and the systemic inflammatory response: Micronutrients","volume":"78","author":"McMillan","year":"2019","journal-title":"Proc. Nutr. Soc."},{"key":"ref_74","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"76","DOI":"10.1016\/j.freeradbiomed.2014.03.035","article-title":"Natural forms of vitamin E: Metabolism, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities and their role in disease prevention and therapy","volume":"72","author":"Jiang","year":"2014","journal-title":"Free Radic. Biol. Med."},{"key":"ref_75","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Cvetkovi\u0107, D.J., and Nikolic, G.S. (2017). Carotenoids Regulate Endothelial Functions and Reduce the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease. Carotenoids, IntechOpen.","DOI":"10.5772\/65523"},{"key":"ref_76","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"13514","DOI":"10.3390\/cimb46120807","article-title":"The Anti-Inflammatory Roles of Vitamin D for Improving Human Health","volume":"46","author":"Fenercioglu","year":"2024","journal-title":"Curr. Issues Mol. Biol."},{"key":"ref_77","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"100274","DOI":"10.1016\/j.bonr.2020.100274","article-title":"The effects of vitamin K-rich green leafy vegetables on bone metabolism: A 4-week randomised controlled trial in middle-aged and older individuals","volume":"12","author":"Sim","year":"2020","journal-title":"Bone Rep."},{"key":"ref_78","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"9","DOI":"10.1016\/j.atherosclerosis.2014.04.004","article-title":"Effect of vitamin C on endothelial function in health and disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials","volume":"235","author":"Ashor","year":"2014","journal-title":"Atherosclerosis"},{"key":"ref_79","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Pravst, I., Lavri\u0161a, \u017d., Hribar, M., Hristov, H., Kvarantan, N., Seljak, B.K., Gregori\u010d, M., Blaznik, U., Gregori\u010d, N., and Zaletel, K. (2021). Dietary Intake of Folate and Assessment of the Folate Deficiency Prevalence in Slovenia Using Serum Biomarkers. Nutrients, 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/nu13113860"},{"key":"ref_80","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Obeid, R., Heil, S.G., Verhoeven, M.M.A., van den Heuvel, E., de Groot, L., and Eussen, S. (2019). Vitamin B12 Intake From Animal Foods, Biomarkers, and Health Aspects. Front. Nutr., 6.","DOI":"10.3389\/fnut.2019.00093"},{"key":"ref_81","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"136606","DOI":"10.1016\/j.foodchem.2023.136606","article-title":"The importance, prevalence and determination of vitamins B6 and B12 in food matrices: A review","volume":"426","author":"Santos","year":"2023","journal-title":"Food Chem."},{"key":"ref_82","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"252","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jtcme.2020.03.005","article-title":"Inositols and metabolic disorders: From farm to bedside","volume":"10","author":"Caputo","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Tradit. Complement. Med."},{"key":"ref_83","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"8045646","DOI":"10.1155\/2020\/8045646","article-title":"The Human Microbiome and Its Impacts on Health","volume":"2020","author":"Ogunrinola","year":"2020","journal-title":"Int. J. Microbiol."},{"key":"ref_84","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kumar, S., Mukherjee, R., Gaur, P., Leal, \u00c9., Lyu, X., Ahmad, S., Puri, P., Chang, C.-M., Raj, V.S., and Pandey, R.P. (2025). Unveiling roles of beneficial gut bacteria and optimal diets for health. Front. Microbiol., 16.","DOI":"10.3389\/fmicb.2025.1527755"},{"key":"ref_85","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Du, Y., He, C., An, Y., Huang, Y., Zhang, H., Fu, W., Wang, M., Shan, Z., Xie, J., and Yang, Y. (2024). The Role of Short Chain Fatty Acids in Inflammation and Body Health. Int. J. Mol. Sci., 25.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijms25137379"},{"key":"ref_86","first-page":"100146","article-title":"Dysbiosis and the modern lifestyle: Mechanisms, health impacts, and microbiome based interventions","volume":"13","author":"Mahanta","year":"2026","journal-title":"Brain Behav. Immun. Integr."},{"key":"ref_87","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"106337","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jff.2024.106337","article-title":"Unveiling the role of functional foods with emphasis on prebiotics and probiotics in human health: A review","volume":"119","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Funct. Foods"},{"key":"ref_88","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3612","DOI":"10.1080\/10408398.2018.1502743","article-title":"The Food Matrix: Implications in Processing, Nutrition and Health","volume":"59","author":"Aguilera","year":"2018","journal-title":"Crit. Rev. Food Sci. Nutr."},{"key":"ref_89","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"100139","DOI":"10.1016\/j.medmic.2025.100139","article-title":"Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in gut health: Implications for drug metabolism and therapeutics","volume":"25","author":"Sankarganesh","year":"2025","journal-title":"Med. Microecol."},{"key":"ref_90","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"700","DOI":"10.1016\/j.tim.2021.02.001","article-title":"Microbial Regulation of Host Physiology by Short-chain Fatty Acids","volume":"29","author":"Wells","year":"2021","journal-title":"Trends Microbiol."},{"key":"ref_91","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"63","DOI":"10.1038\/s41522-024-00533-5","article-title":"Investigating the response of the butyrate production potential to major fibers in dietary intervention studies","volume":"10","author":"Vital","year":"2024","journal-title":"NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes"},{"key":"ref_92","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kosmerl, E., Gonz\u00e1lez-Orozco, B.D., Garc\u00eda-Cano, I., Ortega-Anaya, J., and Jim\u00e9nez-Flores, R. (2023). Milk phospholipids protect Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis during in vitro digestion and enhance polysaccharide production. Front. Nutr., 10.","DOI":"10.3389\/fnut.2023.1194945"},{"key":"ref_93","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Choi, Y., Keum, G.B., Kang, J., Doo, H., Kwak, J., Kim, H., Chae, Y., Lee, S., Yang, H., and Kim, S. (2025). Evaluation of kefir consumption on gut microbial diversity in a healthy young population using full-length 16S rRNA sequencing. Front. Microbiol., 16.","DOI":"10.3389\/fmicb.2025.1587831"},{"key":"ref_94","first-page":"242","article-title":"Effect of administering kefir on the changes in fecal microbiota and symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease: A randomized controlled trial","volume":"30","author":"Dolar","year":"2019","journal-title":"Turk. J. Gastroenterol. Off. J. Turk. Soc. Gastroenterol."},{"key":"ref_95","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"261","DOI":"10.1007\/s10068-018-0433-y","article-title":"Effect of Kombucha on gut-microbiota in mouse having non-alcoholic fatty liver disease","volume":"28","author":"Jung","year":"2018","journal-title":"Food Sci. Biotechnol."},{"key":"ref_96","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Fraiz, G.M., Bonif\u00e1cio, D.B., de Paulo, R.S., Teixeira, C.M., Martino, H.S.D., Barros, F.A.R.d., Milagro, F.I., and Bressan, J. (2025). Benefits of Kombucha Consumption: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials Focused on Microbiota and Metabolic Health. Fermentation, 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/fermentation11060353"},{"key":"ref_97","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"4103","DOI":"10.1002\/fsn3.3029","article-title":"Miso: A traditional nutritious & health-endorsing fermented product","volume":"10","author":"Saeed","year":"2022","journal-title":"Food Sci. Nutr."},{"key":"ref_98","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"63","DOI":"10.3164\/jcbn.23-36","article-title":"Miso, fermented soybean paste, suppresses high-fat\/high-sucrose diet-induced muscle atrophy in mice","volume":"74","author":"Hashimoto","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Clin. Biochem. Nutr."},{"key":"ref_99","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e0223424","DOI":"10.1128\/aem.02234-24","article-title":"The fermented cabbage metabolome and its protection against cytokine-induced intestinal barrier disruption of Caco-2 monolayers","volume":"91","author":"Wei","year":"2025","journal-title":"Appl. Environ. Microbiol."},{"key":"ref_100","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"42","DOI":"10.1016\/j.copbio.2014.11.002","article-title":"Recent developments in prebiotics to selectively impact beneficial microbes and promote intestinal health","volume":"32","author":"Rastall","year":"2015","journal-title":"Curr. Opin. Biotechnol."},{"key":"ref_101","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Miller, B., Mainali, R., Nagpal, R., and Yadav, H. (2021). A Newly Developed Synbiotic Yogurt Prevents Diabetes by Improving the Microbiome\u2013Intestine\u2013Pancreas Axis. Int. J. Mol. Sci., 22.","DOI":"10.20944\/preprints202101.0259.v1"},{"key":"ref_102","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"147818","DOI":"10.1016\/j.foodchem.2025.147818","article-title":"Overcoming oral delivery barriers of functional proteins: Current status and advanced delivery technologies","volume":"503","author":"Zhang","year":"2026","journal-title":"Food Chem."},{"key":"ref_103","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"481","DOI":"10.1017\/S0954422424000155","article-title":"Evaluating the roles of food matrix, lipid micronutrients and bioactives in controlling postprandial hypertriglyceridaemia and inflammation","volume":"38","author":"Reboul","year":"2025","journal-title":"Nutr. Res. Rev."},{"key":"ref_104","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Taouzinet, L., Djaoudene, O., Fatmi, S., Bouiche, C., Amrane-Abider, M., Bougherra, H., Rezgui, F., and Madani, K. (2023). Trends of Nanoencapsulation Strategy for Natural Compounds in the Food Industry. Processes, 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/pr11051459"},{"key":"ref_105","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Popovici, V., Boldianu, A.B., Pintea, A., Caraus, V., Ghendov-Mosanu, A., Subotin, I., Druta, R., and Sturza, R. (2024). In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of Liposomal Formulations of Sea Buckthorn and Grape Pomace. Foods, 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/foods13162478"},{"key":"ref_106","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Dhotre, T., Thanawala, S., and Shah, R. (2025). Optimizing Oral Vitamin C Supplementation: Addressing Pharmacokinetic Challenges with Nutraceutical Formulation Approaches\u2014A Mini Review. Pharmaceutics, 17.","DOI":"10.3390\/pharmaceutics17111458"},{"key":"ref_107","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Liu, Q., Huang, H., Chen, H., Lin, J., and Wang, Q. (2019). Food-Grade Nanoemulsions: Preparation, Stability and Application in Encapsulation of Bioactive Compounds. Molecules, 24.","DOI":"10.3390\/molecules24234242"},{"key":"ref_108","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Hao, M., Tan, X., Liu, K., and Xin, N. (2026). Nanoencapsulation of nutraceuticals: Enhancing stability and bioavailability in functional foods. Front. Nutr., 12.","DOI":"10.3389\/fnut.2025.1746176"},{"key":"ref_109","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"377","DOI":"10.2174\/1567201813666160919142811","article-title":"Enhanced Bioavailability of Curcumin Nanoemulsions Stabilized with Phosphatidylcholine Modified with Medium Chain Fatty Acids","volume":"14","year":"2017","journal-title":"Curr. Drug Deliv."},{"key":"ref_110","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Shakeri, M., Ghobadi, R., Sohrabvandi, S., Khanniri, E., and Mollakhalili-Meybodi, N. (2024). Co-encapsulation of omega-3 and vitamin D3 in beeswax solid lipid nanoparticles to evaluate physicochemical and in vitro release properties. Front. Nutr., 11.","DOI":"10.3389\/fnut.2024.1323067"},{"key":"ref_111","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"109221","DOI":"10.1016\/j.foodhyd.2023.109221","article-title":"Recent advances in the conjugation approaches for enhancing the bioavailability of polyphenols","volume":"146","author":"Sahraeian","year":"2024","journal-title":"Food Hydrocoll."},{"key":"ref_112","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"706","DOI":"10.1016\/j.lwt.2015.06.018","article-title":"The improved thermal stability of anthocyanins at pH 5.0 by gum arabic","volume":"64","author":"Guan","year":"2015","journal-title":"LWT-Food Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref_113","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Shuaibu, A., Juma, N.S., and Bashir, B.H. (J. Future Foods, 2026). Polysaccharides as Carriers and Protectors of Additives and Bioactive Compounds in Food, J. Future Foods, in press.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jfutfo.2025.12.031"},{"key":"ref_114","unstructured":"Queiroz Zepka, L., Casagrande Do Nascimento, T., and Jacob-Lopes, E. (2021). Electro-Spinning and Electro-Spraying as Innovative Approaches in Developing of a Suitable Food Vehicle for Polyphenols-Based Functional Ingredients. Bioactive Compounds\u2014Biosynthesis, Characterization and Applications, IntechOpen."},{"key":"ref_115","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Conte, R., Sepe, F., Margarucci, S., Costanzo, E., Petillo, O., Peluso, G., Marcolongo, L., and Calarco, A. (2025). Functional Plant-Based Beverage Fortified with Hazelnut Cuticle Polyphenols: Antioxidant and Phenolic Content Characterization. Molecules, 30.","DOI":"10.3390\/molecules30030433"}],"container-title":["International Journal of Molecular Sciences"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1422-0067\/27\/5\/2293\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,2]],"date-time":"2026-03-02T12:41:32Z","timestamp":1772455292000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1422-0067\/27\/5\/2293"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,28]]},"references-count":115,"journal-issue":{"issue":"5","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,3]]}},"alternative-id":["ijms27052293"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ijms27052293","relation":{},"ISSN":["1422-0067"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1422-0067","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,28]]}}}