Themed collection Food & Function HOT Articles 2025

Molecular mechanisms of aberrant fatty acids metabolism in driving cardiovascular diseases: key regulatory targets and dietary interventions
Aberrant fatty acid metabolism promotes cardiovascular disease via oxidative stress, inflammation, and vascular dysfunction. Targeting key pathways and optimizing lipid intake offers promising strategies for prevention and treatment.
Food Funct., 2025,16, 5961-5993
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5FO01237F

Polysaccharides from echinoderms: unlocking health benefits and food applications – a review
Polysaccharides from echinoderms show diverse structures with unique functional properties. Their bioactivities including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticoagulant effects, highlight their potential in health and functional food applications.
Food Funct., 2025,16, 5679-5704
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5FO02177D
Dietary strategies for appetite regulation: satiety and obesity management
Different nutrients and metabolites affect appetite signals and the feed desire.
Food Funct., 2025,16, 5202-5218
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5FO01349F
Biomarkers of fried food intake: a systematic review of in vivo studies
In vivo studies disclose biomarkers of fried food intake, via MS-based metabolomics.
Food Funct., 2025,16, 5219-5230
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4FO05008H
The interaction between starch and phenolic acids: effects on starch physicochemical properties, digestibility and phenolic acids stability
Starch and phenolic acids, two common plant-based food components, can interact to form complexes during food processing, thus improving the functional properties of both starch and phenolic acids.
Food Funct., 2025,16, 4202-4225
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5FO00855G
Harnessing food-derived bioactive peptides for iron chelation: an alternative solution to iron deficiency anemia
The combination of bioactive peptides from various food sources and iron enhances their therapeutic effect on iron deficiency anemia.
Food Funct., 2025,16, 4226-4241
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4FO05823B
Extraction, purification, structural characterization and bioactivity of maize oligosaccharides: a review
Maize (Zea mays L.), as a globally significant food and economic crop, has attracted considerable attention from both the academic and industrial sectors due to its rich nutrient components and wide-ranging application value.
Food Funct., 2025,16, 3800-3832
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5FO00791G
Effects of polyphenols on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a case study of resveratrol
Plant polyphenols show good potential for preventing chronic metabolic diseases, especially resveratrol, by reducing insulin resistance and fat synthesis linked to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Food Funct., 2025,16, 2926-2946
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4FO04787G
Dietary and nutritional interventions for human diseases: their modulatory effects on ferroptosis
Interventions targeting ferroptosis are summarized from the perspective of dietary patterns, food and nutrients.
Food Funct., 2025,16, 1186-1204
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4FO05606J
Diet, Genetic Factor, and the Risk of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, Barrett’s Esophagus and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma
Food Funct., 2025, Accepted Manuscript
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5FO00369E
Adherence to the EAT-Lancet reference diet and risk of type 2 diabetes, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, and their co-occurrence
Food Funct., 2025, Accepted Manuscript
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4FO05852F

Integrating population-based metabolomics with computational microbiome modelling identifies methanol as a urinary biomarker for protective diet-microbiome-host interactions
Food Funct., 2025, Accepted Manuscript
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5FO00761E
Dietary hispidulin ameliorated chemically-Induced colitis by inhibiting epithelial cell ferroptosis via the ACAT2-GPX4 axis and remodeling the gut microbiota
Food Funct., 2025, Accepted Manuscript
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5FO02648B
Gut microbiota mediated the curvilinear associations between dietary animal protein intake and bone mineral density in Chinese adults
Food Funct., 2025, Accepted Manuscript
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5FO01417D
Transcriptomic combined physiological analysis illuminated the gastrointestinal stress mechanism of Saccharomyces boulardii
Gastrointestinal stress significantly influences the functionality and survival of food-derived probiotics after ingestion.
Food Funct., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5FO02036K
Non-pungent capsiate enhances longevity and healthspan in Caenorhabditis elegans via transient receptor potential (TRP) channels
Capsiate, a non-pungent capsaicin analog, promotes stress resilience and longevity in C. elegans via TRP channel-dependent activation of DAF-16/FoxO and SKN-1/Nrf2, offering mechanistic insights into its pro-longevity effects.
Food Funct., 2025,16, 6064-6079
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5FO01607J
Anti-inflammatory effects of Camellia seed oil on zebrafish and RAW264.7 cells studied using an in vitro bioassay
Camellia seed oil (CSO), extracted from Camellia seeds, contains numerous beneficial bioactive components.
Food Funct., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5FO01679G

The overlooked impact of background diet and adherence in nutrition trials
Background diet and adherence are key challenges in randomized clinical trials in nutrition. Using data from a sub-cohort of the COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS), we show how biomarker-based analyses improve outcome estimate.
Food Funct., 2025,16, 5733-5743
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5FO01134E

Urinary excretion kinetics of (poly)phenolic metabolites derived from the consumption of microwaved Piquillo pepper (Capsicum annuum cv. Piquillo)
(Poly)phenols of Piquillo pepper were extensively metabolized before urinary excretion, showing a strong influence of gut microbiota and a great interindividual variability.
Food Funct., 2025,16, 5744-5756
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5FO01111F
Vanillin alleviates oxidative stress-mediated neuronal pyroptosis induced in rats by isoproterenol via SIRT1/NOX4/ROS/TXNIP/NLRP3 signaling pathway
Vanillin alleviates neuronal pyroptosis induced in rats by isoproterenol via SIRT/NOX4/ROS/TXNIP/NLRP3 signaling.
Food Funct., 2025,16, 5312-5325
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4FO06458E
Collagen peptides promote skin collagen synthesis by modulating the gut microbiota and activating the TGF-β pathway
Hydroxyproline-containing tripeptide-rich collagen peptides (CTP) enhance skin collagen synthesis by modulating the gut microbiota and activating the TGF-β signaling pathway via the gut–immune–skin axis.
Food Funct., 2025,16, 5326-5344
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5FO01649E

Milk peptides found in human jejunum induce enteroendocrine hormone secretion and inhibit DPP-IV
The strong effect of protein digestion products on gastrointestinal hormone release is well recognized.
Food Funct., 2025,16, 5301-5311
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5FO01394A
Human milk oligosaccharide 2′-fucosyllactose alleviates cognitive impairment via the vagal afferent pathway in Alzheimer's disease mice
2'-FL regulates the composition of gut microbiota and promotes the generation of SCFAs, thereby enhancing VN afferent activity, inhibiting Aβ deposition and neuroinflammatory response, and alleviating spatial and recognition memory impairment in AD.
Food Funct., 2025,16, 5345-5362
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4FO06272H
The impact of different challenge protocols on immune response in epicutaneously sensitized mice with food allergy
Disrupted skin barrier drives Th2-mediated epicutaneous food allergy, while low-dose oral allergen intake alleviates symptoms by boosting Treg and Th1 responses.
Food Funct., 2025,16, 4772-4783
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5FO01045D
Exploring tarhana's prebiotic potential using different flours in an in vitro fermentation model
Tarhana, a traditional fermented food, was studied for its gut health benefits. Variations in flour and fermentation methods shaped microbial diversity and metabolite output, highlighting its prebiotic potential.
Food Funct., 2025,16, 4754-4771
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5FO00486A
Daily consumption of polyphenol-rich grape powder improves muscle strength markers in postmenopausal women
6-wk intake of freeze-dried grape powder improved grip strength and reduced time to complete the gait speed test in postmenopausal women. Irisin level changes positively correlated with grip strength, suggesting a potential mechanistic link.
Food Funct., 2025,16, 4719-4730
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5FO01523E
Ketogenic diet attenuates microglia-mediated neuroinflammation by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation via HDAC3 inhibition to activate mitophagy in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
The activation of microglia is an important cause of central nervous system (CNS) inflammatory cell infiltration and inflammatory demyelination in multiple sclerosis (MS).
Food Funct., 2025,16, 4731-4753
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5FO00422E
Bifidobacterium longum BL300 alleviates DSS-induced Colitis by promoting IgA-mediated Gut Microbiota homeostasis
B. longum BL300 can protect against colitis by activating IgA production immune network to reshape gut microbiota, which could further maintain the integrity of the intestinal mechanical barrier and mucus layer.
Food Funct., 2025,16, 4303-4314
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5FO00992H
6-Shogaol inhibits the cell motility of prostate cancer cells by suppressing the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Ras/Raf/MAPK pathways with comparable effects to paclitaxel treatment
Mechanisms of 6-S for inhibiting the migration and invasion ability in PC-3 and DU145 cells.
Food Funct., 2025,16, 4315-4324
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5FO00798D
An umbrella review of the association between dietary factors and hepatocellular carcinoma risk
Several meta-analyses have summarized the associations between dietary factors and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Food Funct., 2025,16, 3879-3890
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4FO06165A
Impact of maternal Lactiplantibacillus plantarum S58 supplementation on offspring rat immunity and gut health
Pregnancy and lactation provide several opportunities for maternal dietary interventions to confer health benefits to newborns.
Food Funct., 2025,16, 3355-3368
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4FO04702H
Crocin extends lifespan by mitigating oxidative stress and regulating lipid metabolism through the DAF-16/FOXO pathway
Crocin extends lifespan, enhances stress resistance, reduces lipid accumulation, and elevates oleic acid levels in the model organism C. elegan through the DAF-16/FOXO pathway.
Food Funct., 2025,16, 3369-3383
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5FO01157D
Quantity and meal timing of dietary cholesterol intake and cerebrovascular disease mortality
Moderate consumption of dietary cholesterol at dinner rather than breakfast was associated with a lower risk of CBD mortality in a nonlinear manner.
Food Funct., 2025,16, 3344-3354
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4FO05729E
Pterostilbene attenuates intestinal barrier damage and secondary liver oxidative stress in a murine model of Clostridium difficile infection by regulating the gut microbiota
Pterostilbene modulated the gut microbiota composition and bile acid profile in CDI mice. This modulation activated intestinal FXR signaling, thereby mitigating colonic inflammation and attenuating liver oxidative stress.
Food Funct., 2025,16, 3325-3343
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4FO06413E
Synbiotic combination of 2′-fucosyllactose and Bifidobacterium mitigates neurodevelopmental disorders and ASD-like behaviors induced by valproic acid
The synbiotic combination of 2′-Fucosyllactose and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 supports gut microbiota homeostasis, enhances fecal SCFA levels, and mitigates neurodevelopmental abnormalities in ASD mice.
Food Funct., 2025,16, 2703-2717
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4FO06234E

Application of a dynamic colonic gastrointestinal digestion model to red wines: a study of flavanol metabolism by the gut microbiota and the cardioprotective activity of microbial metabolites
Over the last decade, research has emphasized the role of the microbiome in regulating cardiovascular physiology and disease progression.
Food Funct., 2025,16, 885-899
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4FO03774J
Polyphenol oxidase cross-linking enhances whey protein-induced systemic food allergy by regulating miRNA in CD4+ T cells
This study investigates the exacerbating effects of polyphenol oxidase cross-linked whey protein on systemic food allergic reactions.
Food Funct., 2025,16, 487-498
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4FO05284F
Lactobacillus rhamnosus LC-STH-13 ameliorates the progression of SLE in MRL/lpr mice by inhibiting the TLR9/NF-κB signaling pathway
Lactobacillus rhamnosus LC-STH-13 ameliorates the progression of SLE in MRL/lpr mice by modulating the gut microbiota and inhibiting the TLR9/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Food Funct., 2025,16, 475-486
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4FO03966A
Bifidobacterium bifidum CCFM1359 alleviates intestinal motility disorders through the BDNF-TrkB pathway
Bifidobacterium bifidum CCFM1359 remodels intestinal nerves, dreduces intestinal inflammation through BDNF-TrkB pathway, and improves intestinal microecology to alleviate intestinal motility disorders (created with BioGDP.com).
Food Funct., 2025,16, 437-451
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4FO03710C
Preparation, structural characterisation, absorption and calcium transport studies of walnut peptide calcium chelate
Preparation of walnut peptide calcium chelates and their calcium translocation and absorption.
Food Funct., 2025,16, 461-474
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4FO04403G
The mediating role of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the dietary intake of flavonoids and the risk of albuminuria
Prior experimental investigations have highlighted the beneficial effects of flavonoid consumption on renal function.
Food Funct., 2025,16, 452-460
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4FO03589E
About this collection
This themed collection features articles published in Food & Function marked as HOT by the handling editor or as recommended by referees. Congratulations to all the authors whose articles are featured.