Functional foods and nutraceuticals in cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases.
| Bioactive compound | Typology/examples | Main mechanisms of action | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polyphenols | Flavonoids, stilbenes, phenolic acids | Scavenging of ROS/RNS; inhibition of LDL oxidation; antioxidant effects | [81] |
| Polyphenols | Plant-derived phenolics | Increased NO bioavailability via eNOS activation; improved vasodilation | [82] |
| Flavonoids | Quercetin, catechins | Inhibition of platelet aggregation; reduced adhesion molecule expression | [83] |
| Stilbenes | Resveratrol | Activation of SIRT1 and AMPK; inhibition of NF-κB and MAPKs; improved mitochondrial function | [84] |
| Anthocyanins | Cyanidin-3-glucoside, delphinidin; sources: berries (blueberry, blackcurrant, strawberry) | Improvement of endothelial function; reduction of oxidative stress; increased nitric oxide bioavailability; reduction of LDL cholesterol (~8–12%); enhanced vascular reactivity | [85] |
| Omega-3 PUFAs | EPA and DHA | Inhibition of arachidonic acid–derived eicosanoids; production of resolvins, protectins and maresins | [86] |
| Omega-3 PUFAs | Fish oil and marine sources | Reduction of triglycerides; lowered blood pressure; decreased cardiovascular events | [87] |
| Dietary fibers | β-glucans, pectins, psyllium | Reduced intestinal cholesterol absorption; increased bile acid excretion; lowering of LDL cholesterol | [88] |
| Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) | Acetate, propionate, butyrate | Activation of GPR41/GPR43; suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokine production | [89] |
| Dietary fiber intake | High-fiber diets | Inverse association with coronary heart disease, stroke and hypertension | [89] |
| Phytosterols & stanols | Plant sterols and stanols | Decreased macrophage foam cell formation; reduced IL-1β and TNF-α expression | [90] |
| Bioactive peptides | Milk, soy, fish, legume-derived peptides | ACE inhibition; improved endothelial function; antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects | [91] |
| Probiotics | Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp. | Modulation of gut microbiota; increased SCFA production; reduced endotoxemia; improved lipid and glucose metabolism | [92] |
RPD: Conceptualization, Writing—original draft. RMP: Methodology, Data curation, Supervision. SY: Investigation, Writing—original draft. FP: Data curation, Validation. ADL: Supervision, Project administration. RC: Writing—original draft, Writing—review & editing, Supervision. GP: Supervision, Project administration, Funding acquisition. All authors read and approved the submitted version.
The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.
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