Medicinal Plant Research 2025, Vol.15, No.1, 20-31 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/mpr 24 4.2 Improvement of vascular health Functional foods also contribute to the improvement of vascular health by enhancing endothelial function and lowering arterial stiffness. For instance, dark chocolate intake, which contains flavonoids, has been linked with better endothelial function and reduced arterial stiffness, hence improved vascular health (Ludovici et al., 2017). Similarly, omega-3 fatty foods such as fish have been discovered to enhance the compliance of arteries as well as reduce inflammation, which are highly beneficial to the healthy condition of the blood vessels (Hasler et al., 2000). In addition, certain bioactive fruit constituents such as polyphenols and anthocyanins have also been found to maintain vascular endothelial function and reduce oxidative stress. These bioactive constituents keep blood vessels intact and prevent endothelial dysfunction, a precursor to atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases (Zhao et al., 2017). Synergism of these bioactive compounds comes forth as functional foods being capable of improving vascular health and preventing CVD. 4.3 Clinical evidence in cardiovascular diseases Clinical trials have also provided the overwhelming evidence of the cardiovascular benefits of functional foods. Clinical trials, for example, have proven the value of food with antioxidants such as green tea, garlic, and almonds in terms of cardiovascular benefit. The foods have been shown to lower blood pressure, enhance lipid profiles, and prevent inflammation, thus lowering the risk of CVD (Zhou et al., 2017). In addition, consumption of berries like grapes, blueberries, and pomegranates has also been correlated with improved cardiovascular health, including reduced oxidative stress and increased endothelial function (Zhao et al., 2017). Besides this, inclusion of functional foods in the diet has been shown to be effective on CVD risk factors in healthy individuals as well as those with diagnosed CVD. For instance, daily intake of phytosterols and stanol esters has been shown to decrease LDL-C efficiently, while milk peptides have shown to be effective in blood pressure control (Moore, 2011). These clinical findings highlight the potential of functional foods as an adjunct to standard medical therapy in prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. 5 Role of Functional Foods in Metabolic Diseases 5.1 Regulation of blood glucose and insulin sensitivity Functional foods are also of key significance in the control of blood glucose and insulin sensitivity, which is vital in metabolic disease control, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Functional foods carry bioactive food constituents in the form of polyphenols, dietary fiber, and unsaturated fatty acids that enhance insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis. For instance, constituents of the Mediterranean diet such as fruits, vegetables, olive oil, tree nuts, and oily fish are high in polyphenols and other nutraceuticals whose mechanism has been shown to decrease fasting glucose and increase insulin sensitivity in T2DM and at-risk individuals (Alkhatib et al., 2017). Macronutrients like dietary fiber and unsaturated fatty acids also clearly regulate insulin sensitivity and thus have a crucial role to play in the prevention of insulin resistance and T2DM (Figure 2) (Yang et al., 2023). Moreover, functional foods can control the gut microbiota, a key determinant of metabolic health. Intake of high-fiber, polyphenol-rich, and vegetable-protein functional foods during a dietary intervention influenced profoundly faecal microbiota in T2DM patients, leading to improved glycemic management and reduced inflammation (Medina-Vera et al., 2012). This implies that long-term compliance with a functional food-rich diet can significantly contribute to blood glucose control and increased insulin sensitivity, thus rendering a possible therapeutic intervention for the management of metabolic disease. 5.2 Prevention of diabetes and its complications Intake of functional foods also contributes to diabetes prevention and complications. Functional foods have bioactive compounds that can reduce postprandial hyperglycemia, manage carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. For example, functional foods like polyphenol-rich herbs (green tea, coffee) and fruits and vegetables have clinically relevant benefits in lowering cholesterol and fasting blood sugar levels and inflammation in T2DM patients (Mirmiran et al., 2014; Alkhatib et al., 2017). These facts indicate that functional foods could be included in medical nutrition therapy in the management of diabetes.
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