Functional Food News and Research

Latest Functional Food News and Research

Do nutrient-enriched foods improve human health?

Researchers collated scientific evidence on advancements in research for nutrient-rich foods.

7 Aug 2023

Pecans may help prevent obesity and reduce inflammation, study shows

Daily consumption of pecans have been shown to prevent obesity and a host of related health issues like fatty liver disease and diabetes, according to a collaborative study by Texas A&M AgriLife scientists.

1 Aug 2023

Dealcoholized muscadine wine may improve skin elasticity

Could muscadine wine help perk up sagging skin? According to a new study, women who drank two glasses of dealcoholized muscadine wine daily showed significant improvements in the elasticity and water retention of their skin compared with those who consumed a placebo.

24 Jul 2023

From deserts to desserts: cacti components for new functional foods

Researchers described promising features of using cactus in the food sector, addressing the plant's functional, nutritional, and sustainable qualities.

29 Jun 2023

Sea cucumbers could be key ingredient in preventing diabetes

Sea cucumbers are a marine delicacy loved across Asia, but the humble sea cucumber is also proving to be a key ingredient in preventing diabetes, according to new research from the University of South Australia.

10 Jun 2023

Gut health boost: Functional foods and herbs show promise in tackling SARS-CoV-2 variants

Functional foods and natural herbs have the potential to enhance immune function and maintain gut microbiota diversity. This review explores their role in mitigating the impact of SARS-CoV-2 variants on gut health and overall well-being.

8 Jun 2023

Supercharge your health with carotenoids

This review highlights carotenoids' various biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-tumor, anti-diabetic, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory effects, with a specific focus on lycopene.

15 May 2023

How eating mushrooms may lower blood pressure levels

Scientists review the potential of edible mushrooms as functional foods in improving cardiovascular function and ameliorating hypertension.

11 May 2023

Eating sardines vs. fish oil supplements: study evaluates the nutritional benefit beyond fatty acids

Researchers compared the impact of consuming sardines versus fish oil supplements.

18 Apr 2023

Is there a correlation between acute and chronic red wine intake and health?

Researchers examined the correlations between acute and chronic red wine (RW) intake and health.

18 Apr 2023

How does soy consumption affect the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases?

A higher intake of plant protein could effectively improve metabolic health and lower CVD mortality. Recently, scientists in China reviewed existing literature and conducted a meta-analysis to understand the association between increased soy consumption and the risk of T2D and CVDs. This review is available in the journal Nutrients.

15 Mar 2023

Researchers uncover the secret to the health benefits of brown rice

Asian diets feature rice as a staple grain, contributing towards nearly 90% of the world's rice consumption.

19 Jan 2023

Discovery could affect the search for new Alzheimer's drugs

Alzheimer's disease is associated with a reduction of insulin receptors in brain microvessels, which may contribute to brain insulin resistance and the formation of amyloid plaques, one of the disease's hallmarks.

25 Oct 2022

How the gut microbiome could affect COVID-19 severity

Researchers review the potential role of the gut microbiome in determining severe COVID-19.

27 Sep 2022

Using organic metal nanohybrid structures to simultaneously identify multiple food poisoning bacteria

Osaka Metropolitan University scientists have developed a simple, rapid method to simultaneously identify multiple food poisoning bacteria, based on color differences in the scattered light by nanometer-scaled organic metal nanohybrid structures (NHs) that bind via antibodies to those bacteria.

29 Aug 2022

DNA may act as nutritional source for E. coli

Findings of a new experiment could be helpful in understanding how DNA acts as a nutrient for gut bacteria, and its impact on the health of the host.

18 Jul 2022

Marine organism compounds may have potential to help human fertility

Zinc-filled oysters are often linked to improved libido and sexual activity, and now scientists at Flinders University are calling for more serious investigations into how marine organism compounds can help human fertility.

3 Jun 2022

Algal metabolites as novel drugs against viruses

A new review article published in the Journal of Biotechnology has provided information on various nutraceutical metabolites extracted from algae.

29 Mar 2022

Research focuses on ways to enhance gluten-free products

Gluten is a protein complex found in cereals such as wheat, rye and barley. It is responsible for the elastic texture of dough so that loaves and rolls can be baked into different shapes while remaining flexible and crusty. It also lengthens the shelf life of bread at room temperature, when associated with preservatives.

21 Jul 2021

Comprehensive reference on the science, technology, and applications of postbiotics

Postbiotics: Science, Technology, and Applications explains essential and practical knowledge about postbiotics. Chapters cover the definition and classification of postbiotics, principal methods for preparing them, information about the main post biotic constituents and their biological activities and their clinical health benefits.

25 Jun 2021