Accumulating data strongly indicate that the traditional Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest dietary patterns in the world. The high consumption of fruits, vegetables and herbs may play an important role in the quality of this diet, characterized by a nutrient and phytochemical profile that is high in fibers, vitamins, natural pigments, flavors, and antioxidants.
In this Research Topic we intend to summarize the most recent research regarding the medicinal chemistry of fruits, vegetables and herbs, and the metabolic effects and multiple health benefits of their intake.
Unhealthy lifestyles and unbalanced eating habits, are contributing to the spread of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, cancer and many other chronic diseases. However, some clinicians seem to ignore the potential benefits of a healthy and well-balanced diet and quickly prescribe drugs before giving patients a chance to correct their illnesses through changes in their dietary habits and exercise regime.
Research shows that fruits, vegetables and herbs are rich in nutrients and phytochemicals, such as fibers, vitamins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, glucosinolates, terpenes, sterols, and methylxanthines, with strong antioxidant, hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-hypertensive, neuroprotective, anticarcinogenic and/or antimicrobial properties. The evidence suggests that the health benefits of consuming fruits, vegetables and herbs are due to additive and synergistic interactions between their different photo components.
The main goal of this Research Topic is to present an overview of the possible role of plant-based foods in the prevention and management of chronic diseases. Contributions (e.g. original research, reviews, metanalyses) may cover all research aspects and recent advances related to the different classes of nutrients/phytochemicals commonly found in fruits, vegetables and herbs, highlighting their chemical structures, occurrence, biological importance and mechanisms of action/interaction.
We welcome studies ( reviews, original research, metanalyses) on, but not limited to, the following topics:
- Fruits, vegetables and/or herbs intake and prevention/treatment of obesity and diabetes
- Fruits, vegetables and/or herbs intake and prevention/treatment of cardiovascular diseases
- Fruits, vegetables and/or herbs intake and prevention/treatment of neurodegenerative diseases
- Fruits, vegetables and/or herbs intake and cancer prevention/treatment
- Fruits, vegetables and/or herbs intake and (in)fertility
- Fruits, vegetables and/or herbs intake and prevention/treatment of infections
- Plant-based diets (vegan, vegetarian, …) and health outcomes
Accumulating data strongly indicate that the traditional Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest dietary patterns in the world. The high consumption of fruits, vegetables and herbs may play an important role in the quality of this diet, characterized by a nutrient and phytochemical profile that is high in fibers, vitamins, natural pigments, flavors, and antioxidants.
In this Research Topic we intend to summarize the most recent research regarding the medicinal chemistry of fruits, vegetables and herbs, and the metabolic effects and multiple health benefits of their intake.
Unhealthy lifestyles and unbalanced eating habits, are contributing to the spread of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, cancer and many other chronic diseases. However, some clinicians seem to ignore the potential benefits of a healthy and well-balanced diet and quickly prescribe drugs before giving patients a chance to correct their illnesses through changes in their dietary habits and exercise regime.
Research shows that fruits, vegetables and herbs are rich in nutrients and phytochemicals, such as fibers, vitamins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, glucosinolates, terpenes, sterols, and methylxanthines, with strong antioxidant, hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-hypertensive, neuroprotective, anticarcinogenic and/or antimicrobial properties. The evidence suggests that the health benefits of consuming fruits, vegetables and herbs are due to additive and synergistic interactions between their different photo components.
The main goal of this Research Topic is to present an overview of the possible role of plant-based foods in the prevention and management of chronic diseases. Contributions (e.g. original research, reviews, metanalyses) may cover all research aspects and recent advances related to the different classes of nutrients/phytochemicals commonly found in fruits, vegetables and herbs, highlighting their chemical structures, occurrence, biological importance and mechanisms of action/interaction.
We welcome studies ( reviews, original research, metanalyses) on, but not limited to, the following topics:
- Fruits, vegetables and/or herbs intake and prevention/treatment of obesity and diabetes
- Fruits, vegetables and/or herbs intake and prevention/treatment of cardiovascular diseases
- Fruits, vegetables and/or herbs intake and prevention/treatment of neurodegenerative diseases
- Fruits, vegetables and/or herbs intake and cancer prevention/treatment
- Fruits, vegetables and/or herbs intake and (in)fertility
- Fruits, vegetables and/or herbs intake and prevention/treatment of infections
- Plant-based diets (vegan, vegetarian, …) and health outcomes
