Functional Food

This hub provides a comprehensive overview and the latest news on functional foods, superfoods, and dietary components that contribute to health and disease prevention. The collection highlights bioactive compounds in foods such as lychee, chia seeds, dates, baobab fruit, and black sesame, alongside evidence-based discussions on fermented foods, postbiotics, and algae-based supplements. Readers will also find insights into the health benefits of traditional and modern diets, including the Atlantic and Washoku patterns, as well as functional beverages and plant-derived oils. By combining nutritional science, clinical research, and updates on emerging food innovations, this hub equips healthcare professionals, researchers, and health-conscious individuals with reliable knowledge to evaluate functional foods and their role in supporting long-term wellness.

Is Squid Ink Healthy? Benefits, Nutrition, and Side Effects Explained

Squid ink is a melanin-rich marine secretion with promising antioxidant, antimicrobial, and other bioactive properties, but most evidence comes from laboratory and preclinical studies rather than human trials. Its culinary use is well established, while its proposed health benefits remain under investigation and depend heavily on species, extraction methods, dose, and safety evaluation.

Overview

Explore the latest news and expert articles on functional foods, superfoods, and nutrition, from chia seeds and baobab to fermented foods and postbiotics. This hub delivers evidence-based insights for clinicians, researchers, and health-focused readers.

Health Benefits of Spinach

What are the Health Benefits of Eating Dates?

What Are The Health Benefits Of Honey?

Camel Milk Nutrition Facts and Potential Health Benefits Explained

Is Watermelon a Superfood? Examining the Scientific Evidence

Differences between Safflower Oil and Conjugated Linoleic Acid

The Rise of Functional Beverages

What is Fonio? Nutrition, Glycemic Index, and Health Benefits Explained

Sesame Oil Health Benefits: Examining the Diverse Roles of Lignans and Lipids

Gut Health Benefits of Baobab Fruit: An African Superfood

Why Mankai (Wolffia globosa) Is Emerging as a Functional Food for Metabolic Health

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Health Benefits and Nutritional Value of Mamey Sapote

Sacha Inchi Oil: An Omega-3 Superfood for Cholesterol and Blood Sugar

Does Eating Sea Moss Provide Health Benefits?

Tart Cherry Benefits: Fact or Fiction for Wellness and Recovery?

Can Edible Cactus Improve Blood Sugar and Cholesterol? A Scientific Review

What is the TLC Diet?

Safflower Oil Benefits: Heart, Blood Sugar, and Skin Health Explained

Tart Cherry Benefits: Fact or Fiction for Wellness and Recovery?

Is Nutmeg Good for You? Evidence-Based Benefits for Brain, Heart, and Immunity

What Is Salicornia? Health Benefits, Nutrition Facts, and Salt Substitute Potential

Amla (Indian Gooseberry) Health Benefits: From Vitamin C to Anti-Aging Evidence

What is Mycelium? Health Benefits, Nutrition Facts, and Sustainability Explained

Bioactive Peptides in Culinary Spices and Their Potential Health Benefits

What are Functional Foods?

The Potential of Algae-Based Supplements in Nutritional Health

What Is Miracle Berry and How Does It Change Taste? Benefits, Uses, and Effects

Beetroot Health Benefits: Circulation, Blood Pressure, and Athletic Gains

Kokum Fruit: Nutrition, Health Benefits, and Scientific Evidence

Sulfur-Rich Foods for Longevity: How Garlic and Cruciferous Vegetables Support Cellular Repair

Duckweed Protein Benefits: Is This Aquatic Plant a Sustainable Superfood?

Koji Fungus Benefits For Cholesterol, Immunity, And Metabolism

What Are Annatto Seeds? Uses, Health Effects, and Scientific Evidence

Black Sesame Seeds: Evidence-Based Health Benefits and Modern Uses

Health Benefits of Chia Seeds

What are the Health Benefits of Fermented Foods?

Lychee Health Benefits: Antioxidant, Neuroprotective, and Anti-Cancer Insights

How the Atlantic Diet Supports Long-Term Health and Prevents Chronic Disease

Okra and Diabetes: What Research Says About Its Blood Sugar Control Effects

Is Guarana Safe? Health Benefits, Side Effects, and Recommended Dosage

Colostrum for Adults: Boosting Immunity Gut Health and Recovery

Washoku Diet: Fermented, Fiber-Rich, and Functional

Why Sprouted Grains Are Healthier: Enzymatic Changes, Fiber Function, and Glycemic Response

The Rise of Postbiotics for Gut Health

Synbiotic Diets: The Combined Power of Probiotics and Prebiotics for Gut Health

Why Pomegranate Is Good for You: Evidence-Based Insights Into Its Health Benefits

Latest Functional Food News and Research

Dandelion leaves boost brain-protective compounds after digestion

Dandelion leaves are rich in polyphenols with neuroprotective effects, offering insights into natural strategies for Alzheimer's disease management.

27 Mar 2026

Can camel milk improve health? Review highlights benefits but warns against drinking it raw

A narrative review in Food Science & Nutrition examined studies published from 2000 to 2025 and found that camel milk contains bioactive compounds with potential glycemic, anti-inflammatory, gut, and other health benefits. It also stressed that raw, unpasteurized camel milk poses microbial and zoonotic risks, underscoring that safety remains a key part of the story.

25 Mar 2026

Dragon fruit peel extract enhances bread nutrition and reduces food waste

A research team led by Professor ZHOU Weibiao from the Department of Food Science and Technology at the NUS Faculty of Science has shown that compounds extracted from red dragon fruit peel can be incorporated into bread to increase antioxidant activity and slow starch digestion, offering a potential pathway to healthier staple foods and reduced food waste.

17 Mar 2026

NUS scientists transform kombu into a probiotic superfood with fruity aromas

Kombu (Saccharina japonica) is a brown seaweed extensively cultivated and consumed in Japan, Korea and China. Despite its nutritional value, its strong fishy and grassy odor can deter some consumers.

23 Feb 2026

Role of food nutrients in reducing oxidative stress linked to micro- and nanoplastics

This narrative review examines how micro- and nanoplastics may contribute to oxidative stress, inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction, including potential links with diabetes. It highlights plant-derived nutrients that activate the Nrf2 pathway as a possible strategy to enhance cellular stress resilience, although most evidence remains preclinical.

15 Feb 2026

Research suggests bamboo-based foods could support metabolic health

This systematic review synthesizes human, in vitro, and food-processing studies on bamboo consumption, finding limited but suggestive evidence for metabolic, digestive, and antioxidant benefits when products are properly prepared. It also highlights safety considerations, including potential goitrogenic effects from inadequately processed shoots, and calls for higher-quality human trials.

18 Jan 2026

Lentilactobacillus kefiri can prevent and even reverse aging-related immune alterations

The process of aging is associated with a decline in immune functions and persistent low-level inflammation.

16 Dec 2025

Insect flour could boost gut health and cut environmental impact

Chitin-rich insect flours show promise as functional foods, boosting beneficial gut bacteria while addressing allergenicity and consumer trust issues.

3 Dec 2025

Kimchi consumption strengthens antigen recognition and immune regulation

Amid concerns about the simultaneous spread of multiple respiratory diseases, such as colds and influenza, with the change of seasons in current times, a recent clinical study has scientifically proven that kimchi, a traditional Korean fermented food, enhances the function of human immune cells and maintains the balance of the immune system.

24 Nov 2025

Coffee protects the brain, metabolism, and immunity at the molecular level

This review uncovers the molecular networks of coffee's compounds, showcasing their antioxidant and neuroprotective effects on immunity and metabolism.

19 Nov 2025

Daily black cumin intake improves blood lipids and reduces obesity risk

Nigella sativa (black cumin), the spice that boosts the flavor of curries like korma and paneer also has another use: its seeds have long been used as a medicinal plant in traditional medicine for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

18 Nov 2025

What makes truffles more than a delicacy? They’re packed with bioactive compounds

Italian researchers reviewed the chemical composition and biological potential of truffles, identifying them as rich sources of antioxidants, polysaccharides, sterols, and vitamins. The review highlights their promise as functional foods and natural therapeutics, while emphasizing the need for sustainable cultivation and clinical validation.

11 Nov 2025

Scientists explore why black rice deserves a bigger place in modern diets

Researchers reviewed the nutritional composition, therapeutic benefits, and industrial uses of black rice, highlighting its potential as a functional food. The study highlights the role of black rice in managing blood sugar, cholesterol, and inflammation, while also advocating for more robust human trials and sustainable cultivation methods.

2 Nov 2025

Can a mango a day keep diabetes away?

The study reveals that daily mango consumption may enhance insulin sensitivity and reduce body fat in prediabetic adults, emphasizing whole fruits' advantages.

29 Sep 2025

Coffee protects the liver by blocking inflammation and scarring, review finds

A new review in Biochemical Pharmacology synthesizes decades of research showing consistent links between regular coffee consumption and reduced risk of liver disease, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. Coffee’s bioactive compounds act on antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, and metabolic pathways to slow liver damage progression.

21 Sep 2025

Mushrooms deliver nutrition medicine and sustainability solutions in one package

This Food Science & Nutrition review highlights mushrooms as nutrient-rich functional foods packed with bioactive compounds that support human health. It explores their therapeutic, industrial, and environmental applications, from disease prevention and drug discovery to bioremediation and bioenergy.

8 Sep 2025