Algae Food Products as a Healthcare Solution
Diseases such as obesity; cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, myocardial infarction and stroke; digestive diseases such as celiac disease; certain types of cancer and osteoporosis are related to food. On the other hand, as the world’s population increases, the ability of the current...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Marine Drugs |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/21/11/578 |
| _version_ | 1827639409145544704 |
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| author | Joana O. Tavares João Cotas Ana Valado Leonel Pereira |
| author_facet | Joana O. Tavares João Cotas Ana Valado Leonel Pereira |
| author_sort | Joana O. Tavares |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Diseases such as obesity; cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, myocardial infarction and stroke; digestive diseases such as celiac disease; certain types of cancer and osteoporosis are related to food. On the other hand, as the world’s population increases, the ability of the current food production system to produce food consistently is at risk. As a result, intensive agriculture has contributed to climate change and a major environmental impact. Research is, therefore, needed to find new sustainable food sources. One of the most promising sources of sustainable food raw materials is macroalgae. Algae are crucial to solving this nutritional deficiency because they are abundant in bioactive substances that have been shown to combat diseases such as hyperglycemia, diabetes, obesity, metabolic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases and cardiovascular diseases. Examples of these substances include polysaccharides such as alginate, fucoidan, agar and carrageenan; proteins such as phycobiliproteins; carotenoids such as β-carotene and fucoxanthin; phenolic compounds; vitamins and minerals. Seaweed is already considered a nutraceutical food since it has higher protein values than legumes and soy and is, therefore, becoming increasingly common. On the other hand, compounds such as polysaccharides extracted from seaweed are already used in the food industry as thickening agents and stabilizers to improve the quality of the final product and to extend its shelf life; they have also demonstrated antidiabetic effects. Among the other bioactive compounds present in macroalgae, phenolic compounds, pigments, carotenoids and fatty acids stand out due to their different bioactive properties, such as antidiabetics, antimicrobials and antioxidants, which are important in the treatment or control of diseases such as diabetes, cholesterol, hyperglycemia and cardiovascular diseases. That said, there have already been some studies in which macroalgae (red, green and brown) have been incorporated into certain foods, but studies on gluten-free products are still scarce, as only the potential use of macroalgae for this type of product is considered. Considering the aforementioned issues, this review aims to analyze how macroalgae can be incorporated into foods or used as a food supplement, as well as to describe the bioactive compounds they contain, which have beneficial properties for human health. In this way, the potential of macroalgae-based products in eminent diseases, such as celiac disease, or in more common diseases, such as diabetes and cholesterol complications, can be seen. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:39:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-529fd37c31ce4494b81067f499ccc3f6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1660-3397 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:39:02Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Marine Drugs |
| spelling | doaj.art-529fd37c31ce4494b81067f499ccc3f62023-11-24T14:53:12ZengMDPI AGMarine Drugs1660-33972023-11-01211157810.3390/md21110578Algae Food Products as a Healthcare SolutionJoana O. Tavares0João Cotas1Ana Valado2Leonel Pereira3Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, PortugalDepartment of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, PortugalMARE—Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre/ARNET-Aquatic Research Network, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, PortugalDepartment of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, PortugalDiseases such as obesity; cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, myocardial infarction and stroke; digestive diseases such as celiac disease; certain types of cancer and osteoporosis are related to food. On the other hand, as the world’s population increases, the ability of the current food production system to produce food consistently is at risk. As a result, intensive agriculture has contributed to climate change and a major environmental impact. Research is, therefore, needed to find new sustainable food sources. One of the most promising sources of sustainable food raw materials is macroalgae. Algae are crucial to solving this nutritional deficiency because they are abundant in bioactive substances that have been shown to combat diseases such as hyperglycemia, diabetes, obesity, metabolic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases and cardiovascular diseases. Examples of these substances include polysaccharides such as alginate, fucoidan, agar and carrageenan; proteins such as phycobiliproteins; carotenoids such as β-carotene and fucoxanthin; phenolic compounds; vitamins and minerals. Seaweed is already considered a nutraceutical food since it has higher protein values than legumes and soy and is, therefore, becoming increasingly common. On the other hand, compounds such as polysaccharides extracted from seaweed are already used in the food industry as thickening agents and stabilizers to improve the quality of the final product and to extend its shelf life; they have also demonstrated antidiabetic effects. Among the other bioactive compounds present in macroalgae, phenolic compounds, pigments, carotenoids and fatty acids stand out due to their different bioactive properties, such as antidiabetics, antimicrobials and antioxidants, which are important in the treatment or control of diseases such as diabetes, cholesterol, hyperglycemia and cardiovascular diseases. That said, there have already been some studies in which macroalgae (red, green and brown) have been incorporated into certain foods, but studies on gluten-free products are still scarce, as only the potential use of macroalgae for this type of product is considered. Considering the aforementioned issues, this review aims to analyze how macroalgae can be incorporated into foods or used as a food supplement, as well as to describe the bioactive compounds they contain, which have beneficial properties for human health. In this way, the potential of macroalgae-based products in eminent diseases, such as celiac disease, or in more common diseases, such as diabetes and cholesterol complications, can be seen.https://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/21/11/578seaweedbioactivenutraceuticalsceliac diseasediabeteshyperglycemia |
| spellingShingle | Joana O. Tavares João Cotas Ana Valado Leonel Pereira Algae Food Products as a Healthcare Solution Marine Drugs seaweed bioactive nutraceuticals celiac disease diabetes hyperglycemia |
| title | Algae Food Products as a Healthcare Solution |
| title_full | Algae Food Products as a Healthcare Solution |
| title_fullStr | Algae Food Products as a Healthcare Solution |
| title_full_unstemmed | Algae Food Products as a Healthcare Solution |
| title_short | Algae Food Products as a Healthcare Solution |
| title_sort | algae food products as a healthcare solution |
| topic | seaweed bioactive nutraceuticals celiac disease diabetes hyperglycemia |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/21/11/578 |
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