Bioactive Food Research Articles

Health-Promoting Potential of Millet: A Review

Being a key source of animal food, millet production has been sharply increasing over the last few years in order to cope with the dietary requirements of the ever-increasing world population. It is a splendid source of essential nutrients such as protein, carbohydrates, fat, minerals, vitamins, and also some other bioactive compounds that eventually help through multiple biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-cholesterol, anti-hypertensive, anthropometric effects and regulation of gut microbiota composition. These bioactive compounds, nutrients, and functions of cereal grains can be affected by processing techniques such as decortication, soaking, malting, milling, fermentation, etc. This study discusses the nutritional and functional properties of millet-incorporated foods and their impact on health, based on around 150 articles between 2015 and 2022 from the Web of Science, Google Scholar, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Breeding Bid Survey (BBS), and FoodData Central (USDA) databases. Analyzing literature reviews, it is evident that the incorporation of millet and its constituents into foodstuffs could be useful against undernourishment and several other health diseases. Additionally, this review provides crucial information about the beneficial features of millet, which can serve as a benchmark of guidelines for industry, consumers, researchers, and nutritionists.

Phosphate Solubilizing and Phytate Degrading Streptomyces Isolates Stimulate the Growth and P Accumulation of Maize (Zea mays) Fertilized with Different Phosphorus Sources

Actinobacteria are involved in many soil processes related to plant growth, including the secretion of various bioactive products and nutrient cycling. The aim of this study was to characterize the plant growth promoting traits (phosphate solubilizing activity, phytate degradation ability and indolic compounds production, and organic acids secretion) of seven actinobacteria isolates and evaluate the effect of two selected rhizospheric Streptomyces on growth and phosphorus content of maize in presence of different phosphorus (P) sources (tri-calcium phosphate, triple super phosphate and calcium phytate). Phylogenetic analysis of partial 16S rRNA sequences showed that the Streptomyces isolates were clustered in two distinct separated groups. All Streptomyces isolates produced 2-ketogluconic acid and oxalic acid in fermentation medium supplemented with inorganic P sources, while in the presence of phytate, all isolates secreted 2-ketogluconic acid and malic acid. All the isolates were able to release inorganic P from insoluble phosphate sources and this behavior was negatively correlated with pH reduction. Phytate degradation raged from 1.65% to 95.2%, and total indole compound production ranged from 6.3 to 27.8 µg ml−1. The shoot dry weight, root dry weight, plant height, chlorophyll content and tissue P concentration were significantly (p < 0.05) increased by both inoculations with Streptomyces isolates and by the addition of different phosphorus sources, compared to their appropriate controls. The inoculation of Streptomyces isolates resulted in a significant increase in plant phosphorus content from different phosphate sources. Streptomyces sp. UTMC 1478 (Streptomyces sp. 63) and Streptomyces sp. 47 were suitable inoculants for increasing maize growth and P from soil amended with different phosphorus sources, indicating their potential use as plant growth-promoting phospho-bacteria.

Eco-friendly bioactive β-caryophyllene/halloysite nanotubes loaded nanofibrous sheets for active food packaging

We fabricated Zein/polycaprolactone (PCL) electrospun nanofiber sheets incorporated with different concentrations of β-caryophyllene loaded into halloysite (HNT) nanotubes as an eco-friendly, bioactive food packaging material. We obtained heterogeneous fibers with flat ribbon-like morphology. The loading of β-caryophyllene/HNT increased the fiber diameters from ∼900 nm to ∼1100 nm. The nanofiber showed improved thermal and mechanical performance upon incorporating β-caryophyllene/HNT. The water vapor permeability decreased due to a decrease in the porosity of the nanofiber sheets. The β-caryophyllene/HNT loaded nanofiber showed good DPPH free radical scavenging and was effective against both gram-positive B.subtilis and gram-negative E.coli bacteria subjected to agar disc diffusion test and time-kill study. The initial release of β-caryophyllene from the 5%, 10%, and 20% loaded nanofiber sheets was ∼22%, ∼25%, and ∼31% within 12 h, and ∼63%, ∼69%, and ∼77% after 120 h indicating a sustained slow release for long term bioactivity. The WST-1, LDH, and cell adhesion properties of β-caryophyllene/HNT-loaded nanofiber render them biocompatible and nontoxic. Composting experiment reveals the eco-friendly nature of the fabricated nanofiber sheets as they all lose their fibrous morphology after 21 days of composting and a mass loss of ∼65% for Zein/PCL nanofibers and ∼63%, ∼55%, and ∼48% for 5%, 10%, and 20% β-caryophyllene/HNT loaded Zein/PCL nanofiber sheets. During the application test for postharvest quality preservation of strawberries, the strawberries covered in Zein/PCL-20 showed the best-preserved quality after 4 days of storage at 25 °C in 40% humidity. The physicochemical, biological, and application tests demonstrated the potential of the prepared nanofiber sheets as a potential bioactive food packaging material.

Can Bioactive Food Substances Contribute to Cystic Fibrosis-Related Cardiovascular Disease Prevention?

Advances in cystic fibrosis (CF) care have significantly improved the quality of life and life expectancy of patients. Nutritional therapy based on a high-calorie, high-fat diet, antibiotics, as well as new therapies focused on CFTR modulators change the natural course of the disease. They do so by improving pulmonary function and growing BMI. However, the increased weight of such patients can lead to unwanted long-term cardiovascular effects. People with CF (pwCF) experience several cardiovascular risk factors. Such factors include a high-fat diet and increased dietary intake, altered lipid metabolism, a decrease in the level of fat-soluble antioxidants, heightened systemic inflammation, therapeutic interventions, and diabetes mellitus. PwCF must pay special attention to food and eating habits in order to maintain a nutritional status that is as close as possible to the proper physiological one. They also have to benefit from appropriate nutritional counseling, which is essential in the evolution and prognosis of the disease. Growing evidence collected in the last years shows that many bioactive food components, such as phytochemicals, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and antioxidants have favorable effects in the management of CF. An important positive effect is cardiovascular prevention. The possibility of preventing/reducing cardiovascular risk in CF patients enhances both quality of life and life expectancy in the long run.

Nanostructured steady-state nanocarriers for nutrients preservation and delivery.

Food bioactives possess specific physiological benefits of preventing certain diet-related chronic diseases or maintain human health. However, the limitations of the bioactives are their poor stability, lower water solubility and unacceptable bioaccessibility. Structure damage or degradation is often found for the bioactives under certain environmental conditions like high temperature, strong light, extreme pH or high oxygen concentration during food processing, packaging, storage and absorption. Nanostructured steady-state nanocarriers have shown great potential in overcoming the drawbacks for food bioactives. Various delivery systems including solid form delivery system, liquid form delivery system and encapsulation technology have been developed. The embedded food nutrients can largely decrease the loss and degradation during food processing, packaging and storage. The design and application of stimulus and targeted delivery systems can improve the stability, bioavailability and efficacy of the food bioactives upon oral consumption due to enzymatic degradation in the gastrointestinal tract. The food nutrients encapsulated in the smart delivery system can be well protected against degradation during oral administration, thus improving the bioavailability and releazing controlled or targeted release for food nutrients. The encapsulated food bioactives show great potential in nutrition therapy for sub-health status and disease. Much effort is required to design and prepare more biocompatible nanostructured steady-state nanocarriers using food-grade protein or polysaccharides as wall materials, which can be used in food industry and maintain the human health.

IUNS 22nd International Congress of Nutrition – Abstracts

The 22nd International Congress of Nutrition (ICN) was organized under the auspices of the International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS) and was celebrated Japan, December 6-11, 2022. The IUNS-ICN is a four-yearly meeting that has been held since 1946. The 2022 IUNS- ICN edition has been conjointly organized by the Japan society of Nutrition and Food Science, The Japanese Society of Nutrition and Dietetics and the IUNS Council with the integrative collaboration of the Organizing, Scientific and Executive Committees under the motto “The Power of Nutrition: for the smiles of 10 billion people”. The aim of this IUNS 22nd ICN was to promote the global exchange of knowledge in Nutritional Sciences and to encourage communications well as capacity building. The scientific program comprised 2 Opening Lectures, 8 Plenary Lectures, 32 Special Lectures, 8 Special Symposia, 124 Symposia and 2 Panel Discussions and 1 Closing Lecture.The congress focused on every aspect of nutrition issues, going through a wide variety of topics, which were dealt with from different perspectives in order to enrich our attendees’ points of view. Let us mention the tracks of the developed program:Advances in Nutrition Research, Nutrients and Nutritional Assessment, Nutrition Through Life Course, Nutrition and Management of Diseases, Food Culture Practices and Nutrition Education, Public Health Nutrition and Environment, Functional Foods and Bioactive Compounds, Agriculture, Food Science and Safety, Additional Global NutritionalThe main goal was to offer a high-level scientific meeting focused on addressing the key aspects of nutrition in a multicultural environment, from state-of-the-art reviews to cutting edge nutritional science information. Sessions are planned to deliver latest investigations and outcomes concerning the impact of nutrition on homeostasis and body metabolism, on dietary intake and nutritional status of the population and the individual for precision nutrition as well on the role of dietary prescriptions in disease management and prevention. Translational research orientated to design and implement strategies and approaches to change dietary behaviors and to develop policies, as well as aspects related to public health issues, Nutrition Education and Climate Change, or Food and Agriculture for Health Maintenance, were included in the program. Eight plenary sessions framed the program with eminent speakers covering all health aspects in the life cycle with integrative views on food security. The present supplement accounts for 1798 abstracts from 97 countries, including the summaries of more than 500 selected guest speakers participating in the scientific symposia.

Bioactive compounds and functional foods as coadjuvant therapy for thrombosis.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death. The most common cardiovascular pathologies are thromboembolic diseases. Antithrombotic therapy prevents thrombus formation or dissolves that previously constituted. However, it presents a high rate of accidents such as gastric bleeding and cerebrovascular embolism. Plant foods and their secondary metabolites have been reported to regulate blood hemostasis. This review article aims to propose plant foods and their metabolites as adjuvant therapy for the management of thromboembolic diseases. Various databases were consulted, using antiplatelet, anticoagulant, and fibrinolytic as key terms. In total, 35 foods and 24 secondary metabolites, via in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies, have been reported to regulate platelet aggregation, blood coagulation, and fibrinolysis. According to the studies presented in this review, plant foods with effects at concentrations less than 50 μg mL-1 and secondary metabolites with IC50 less than 100 μM can be considered agents with high antithrombotic potential. This review suggests that plant foods and their secondary metabolites should be used to develop foods, ingredients and nutraceuticals with functional properties. The evidence presented in this review shows that plant foods and their bioactive compounds could be used as adjuvants for the treatment and prevention of thrombotic complications. However, further in vivo and clinical trials are required to establish effective and safe doses.

Studies on the bioactive elements and nutrients distribution in surface sediments of Cross River Estuary, Calabar River and Great Kwa River, South - South Nigeria

Studies on the bioactive elements and nutrients distribution in surface sediments of Cross River Estuary, Calabar River and Great Kwa River, South - South Nigeria

Studies on the bioactive elements and nutrients distribution in surface sediments of Cross River Estuary, Calabar River and Great Kwa River, South South Nigeria

Studies on the bioactive elements and nutrients distribution in surface sediments of Cross River Estuary, Calabar River and Great Kwa River, South South Nigeria

Recent progress in emulsion gels: from fundamentals to applications.

Emulsion gels, also known as gelled emulsions or emulgels, have garnered great attention both in fundamental research and practical applications due to their superior stability, tunable morphology and microstructure, and promising mechanical and functional properties. From an application perspective, attention in this area has been, historically, mainly focused on food industries, e.g., engineering emulsion gels as fat substitutes or delivery systems for bioactive food ingredients. However, a growing body of studies has, in recent years, begun to demonstrate the full potential of emulsion gels as soft templates for designing advanced functional materials widely applied in a variety of fields, spanning chemical engineering, pharmaceutics, and materials science. Herein, a concise and comprehensive overview of emulsion gels is presented, from fundamentals to applications, highlighting significant recent progress and open questions, to scout for and deepen their potential applications in more fields.

Produtividade e atividade antioxidante de brotos de feijão (Vigna radiata L.) mediada por alguns elicitores

ABSTRACT: The production of bioactive food is one of the goals of agriculture. Sprouts used for human consumption are an efficient way to increase the intake of essential nutrients, such as minerals, vitamins, and other bioactive compounds. The use of elicitors can increase the nutritional value of these products. Biomass production, phenolic compound content, and antioxidant activity of mung bean sprouts (Vigna radiata L.) after elicitation were examined in this study. Mung bean sprouts were treated with salicylic acid (SA), ascorbic acid (AA), and tocopherol (TOC) at different concentrations and numbers of applications. Shoot and root lengths and dry mass were measured on five-day-old sprouts. Total phenol content and antioxidant activity were determined using the DPPH assay on dried ethanolic extracts. Total soluble protein content and superoxide dismutase activity were measured in frozen hypocotyls. All elicitors stimulated the antioxidant functions of sprouts and, at the highest concentrations, reduced the biometric parameters; therefore, lower concentrations were better. For the first time, a balance between elicitor concentration and application in instalments was achieved to maintain the production of sprouts with enhanced nutritional characteristics.

Шығыс майракебісі өсімдігінің тамырларының тағамдық шикізат ретінде пайдалану перспективасын бағалау

The article is devoted to the study of the perspectives of using the roots of wild-growing plant Bunias orientalis as a plant material. An access to a wide range of organic food with high nutritional value, full of vitamins and minerals, can be valued as a fundamental component of food safety. Therefore, a deep and versatile elaboration of the raw material potential of local flora is very important, not only in scientific purposes, but also as a strategic plan to ensure food safety. More than ten thousand species of plants are found on the territory of Kazakhstan, and most of them have not been completely studied for further application. Most plants of the Cabbage (Brassicaceae) family have a high economic value and are cultivated in various countries as fodder, technical, melliferous, food and decorative resources. There are studies on the value of Sverbiga as a source of bioactive substances and the use of young shoots and leaves in the national cuisine. In the course of the study, we found that the roots of Sverbiga have a fairly good nutritional and biological value. The roots of Sverbiga contain a significant amount of carbohydrates and minerals, which makes this type of wild-growing raw material promising for further development of food products and bioactive food supplements. Studies show that in order to preserve its biological value it must be stored at the temperature of -18 °C for no more than 3 months.

Pretreatment of ellagic acid protects ifosfamide-induced acute nephrotoxicity in rat kidneys: A mitochondrial, histopathological and oxidative stress approaches

Ifosfamide (IFO) kidney damage is an important organ toxicity in children and adults undergoing chemotherapy. Previous evidence has shown that IFO toxic metabolites such as acrolein and are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, depletion of antioxidants, oxidative stress and may predispose the kidney to IFO toxicity. Bioactive food compounds such as ellagic acid (EA) found in fruits has been described as antioxidant and mitochondrial protective agents against toxicity-related mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress. In current study, the protective effects of EA on IFO-induced nephrotoxicity in male Wistar rats were investigated with histopathological, biochemical, and mitochondrial methods. The rats were randomly divided into four groups, control, IFO, IFO + EA, and EA groups. EA (25mg/kg, i.p. daily) were administered to animals for 2 consecutive days and IFO (500mg/kg, i.p.) was administered on third day. The results showed that pretreatment EA significantly increased mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenases (SDH) activity, and protected mitochondrial swelling, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and depletion glutathione (GSH). Histopathological findings demonstrated that EA had protective effects and reduced histopathological abnormalities caused by IFO. These results showed that EA administration protects the kidneys against mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and histopathological abnormality induced by IFO. Taken together, our results demonstrated that EA played a protective role against IFO-induced nephrotoxicity through mitochondrial protection and antioxidant properties.

Modulation of DNA methylation by one-carbon metabolism: a milestone for healthy aging.

Healthy aging can be defined as an extended lifespan and health span. Nutrition has been regarded as an important factor in healthy aging, because nutrients, bioactive food components, and diets have demonstrated beneficial effects on aging hallmarks such as oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, apoptosis and autophagy, genomic stability, and immune function. Nutrition also plays a role in epigenetic regulation of gene expression, and DNA methylation is the most extensively investigated epigenetic phenomenon in aging. Interestingly, age-associated DNA methylation can be modulated by one-carbon metabolism or inhibition of DNA methyltransferases. One-carbon metabolism ultimately controls the balance between the universal methyl donor S-adenosylmethionine and the methyltransferase inhibitor S-adenosylhomocysteine. Water-soluble B-vitamins such as folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 serve as coenzymes for multiple steps in one-carbon metabolism, whereas methionine, choline, betaine, and serine act as methyl donors. Thus, these one-carbon nutrients can modify age-associated DNA methylation and subsequently alter the age-associated physiologic and pathologic processes. We cannot elude aging per se but we may at least change age-associated DNA methylation, which could mitigate age-associated diseases and disorders.

A minor metabolite from Curcuma longa effective against metabolic syndrome: results from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by the presence of at least three interrelated risk factors, including central obesity, hypertension, elevated serum triglycerides, low serum high-density lipoproteins, and insulin resistance. Abdominal obesity is considered a predominant risk factor. Lifestyle changes with medications to lower cholesterol, blood sugar, and hypertension are the general treatment approaches. Functional foods and bioactive food ingredients represent versatile tools for addressing different aspects of MetS. In a randomized placebo-controlled clinical study, we evaluated the effect of Calebin A, a minor bioactive phytochemical from Curcuma longa, on metabolic syndrome in obese adults (N = 100), and 94 individuals completed the study (N = 47 in both groups). They were subjected to Calebin A supplementation for 90 days, which resulted in a statistically significant reduction in their body weight, waist circumference, body mass index, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and triglyceride levels compared to those with the placebo. A small but significant increase in high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels was also observed in these individuals. Furthermore, Calebin A showed a positive effect on adipokines by reducing circulating leptin levels. Finally, C-reactive protein levels were significantly reduced in Calebin A-supplemented individuals, suggesting a beneficial impact on managing MetS-induced inflammation. Blood glucose levels, insulin resistance, and blood pressure levels were not affected by Calebin A. In conclusion, Calebin A may be an effective supplement for managing abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, and systemic inflammation in individuals with metabolic syndrome. This study was prospectively registered on the Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI) with the registration number CTRI/2021/09/036495. https://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/advancesearchmain.php.

Polyphenols as bioactive food components in relation to autism spectrum disorders: An overview of the literature

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) known as a set of behavioral and neurocognitive problems that are identified by challenges in difficulties interacting and communicating with others, as well as heightened repetitive and/or restrictive behaviors. Elevated immune reaction and enhancements in pro-inflammatory cytokines have been discovered in the brains of those who have ASD. A recent article associated autism with abnormalities in mitochondrial respiratory control. Based on various studies, mitochondrial dysfunction is caused by oxidative stress, inadequate nutrition, insufficiency of vitamins, compromised immune system, contact with harmful environmental substances, and modified calcium signaling. Polyphenols found in our diet are active compounds that have the potential to prevent and treat various chronic illnesses including, neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental problems. This is mainly due to their ability to regulate crucial pathways that cause inflammation and oxidation in the body. The application of polyphenols may result in a reduction of neuroinflammation, facilitating an improvement in the manifestations of ASD. This review focused on the preclinical and clinical studies that documented the beneficial impacts of diet related for the modulation of ASD.

Micro- and nanoencapsulation of natural phytochemicals: Challenges and recent perspectives for the food and nutraceuticals industry applications.

Worldwide, there has been growing interest in the research, development, and commercialization of functional bioactive components and nutraceuticals. As a result of consumer awareness of the relationship between diet, health, and disease, the consumption of plant-derived bioactive components has recently increased in the past two decades. Phytochemicals are bioactive nutrient plant chemicals in fruits, vegetables, grains, and other plant foods that may provide desirable health benefits beyond essential nutrition. They may reduce the risk of major chronic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes, high blood pressure, and psychotic diseases and have antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties, cholesterol-lowering, antithrombotic, or anti-inflammatory effects. Phytochemicals have been recently studied and explored for various purposes, such as pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, flavors, fragrances, coloring agents, biopesticides, and food additives. These compounds are known as secondary metabolites and are commonly classified as polyphenols, terpenoids (terpenes), tocotrienols and tocopherols, carotenoids, alkaloids and other nitrogen-containing metabolites, stilbenes and lignans, phenolic acids, and glucosinates. Thus, this chapter aims to define the general chemistry, classification, and essential sources of phytochemicals, as well as describe the potential application of phytochemicals in the food and nutraceuticals industry, explaining the main properties of interest of the different compounds. Finally, the leading technologies involving micro and nanoencapsulation of phytochemicals are extensively detailed to protect them against degradation and enhance their solubility, bioavailability, and better applicability in the pharmaceutical, food, and nutraceutical industry. The main challenges and perspectives are detailed.

Regulatory status of bioactive non-nutritional food components in Southeast Asian countries

A review conducted on the regulatory status of bioactive non-nutritional food components in foods and beverages in eight Southeast Asian countries indicates these components have been recognised for their health benefits. Indonesia and Malaysia have promulgated specific regulations allowing the addition of these bioactive components in foods and beverages, provided a list of the permitted components that may be used, and clear process for the industry to apply for new components. Both countries also have separate regulations that govern the making of function claims which refer to the beneficial physiological or health effects brought about by such bioactive components. The other six countries do not have a specific regulation governing the use of these bioactive components. However, these countries also permit the making of similar function claims, provided they are scientifically substantiated, preferably human clinical trials. Each country has slightly different requirements and process in place for reviewing applications for claims. All countries, except Myanmar, also allow the sale and marketing of foods containing probiotics, another functional food component. Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand have promulgated specific probiotic regulations and, except for Indonesia, have published permitted list of probiotics. All seven countries have provisions for the industry to apply for the use of new probiotics. Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand permit the use of a pre-approved generic function claims related to probiotics. The sharing of experiences in regulatory approaches would be beneficial to the advancement of scientific and regulatory development of bioactive non-nutritional food components in the region and would benefit all stakeholders.

Lactoferrin-The Health-Promoting Properties and Contemporary Application with Genetic Aspects.

The aim of the study is to present a review of literature data on lactoferrin's characteristics, applications, and multiple health-promoting properties, with special regard to nutrigenomics and nutrigenetics. The article presents a new approach to food ingredients. Nowadays, lactoferrin is used as an ingredient in food but mainly in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. In the European Union, bovine lactoferrin has been legally approved for use as a food ingredient since 2012. However, as our research shows, it is not widely used in food production. The major producers of lactoferrin and the few available food products containing it are listed in the article. Due to anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and anti-tumour activity, the possibility of lactoferrin use in disease prevention (as a supportive treatment in obesity, diabetes, as well as cardiovascular diseases, including iron deficiency and anaemia) is reported. The possibility of targeted use of lactoferrin is also presented. The use of nutrition genomics, based on the identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes, for example, FTO, PLIN1, TRAP2B, BDNF, SOD2, SLC23A1, LPL, and MTHFR, allows for the effective stratification of people and the selection of the most optimal bioactive nutrients, including lactoferrin, whose bioactive potential cannot be considered without taking into account the group to which they will be given.

Dietary Impacts on Gestational Diabetes: Connection between Gut Microbiome and Epigenetic Mechanisms.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common obstetric complications due to an increased level of glucose intolerance during pregnancy. The prevalence of GDM increases due to the obesity epidemic. GDM is also associated with an increased risk of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia resulting in elevated maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Diet is one of the most important environmental factors associated with etiology of GDM. Studies have shown that the consumption of certain bioactive diets and nutrients before and during pregnancy might have preventive effects against GDM leading to a healthy pregnancy outcome as well as beneficial metabolic outcomes later in the offspring's life. Gut microbiome as a biological ecosystem bridges the gap between human health and diseases through diets. Maternal diets affect maternal and fetal gut microbiome and metabolomics profiles, which consequently regulate the host epigenome, thus contributing to later-life metabolic health in both mother and offspring. This review discusses the current knowledge regarding how epigenetic mechanisms mediate the interaction between maternal bioactive diets, the gut microbiome and the metabolome leading to improved metabolic health in both mother and offspring.