Food & Function最新文献

{"title":"Ergothioneine as a promising natural antioxidant: bioactivities, therapeutic potential, and industrial applications","authors":"Ziteng Lei, Zhong Wang, Haijing Zhang, Yan Jia, Di Zhang, Ruoyu Shi, Chengtao Wang and Wei Chen","doi":"10.1039/D5FO02337H","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D5FO02337H","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Ergothioneine (EGT) is a naturally occurring thiol-containing amino acid derivative synthesized by certain fungi and bacteria, with humans acquiring it exclusively through dietary intake. It has gained increasing attention due to its exceptional antioxidant, cytoprotective, and metal-chelating properties. EGT shows high stability under physiological conditions and can accumulate in specific tissues <em>via</em> the highly selective transporter OCTN1. Emerging evidence reveals its antioxidant activities—mitigating oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammation—supporting therapeutic applications in neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, metabolic, and age-related diseases. In the food industry, EGT offers promise as a natural preservative to enhance shelf-life and nutritional value, while in cosmetics, it functions as an anti-aging and anti-photoaging agent. Recent advances in fermentation, metabolic engineering, and chemical synthesis have significantly improved EGT production, supporting its transition from a niche compound to an industrially relevant bioactive ingredient. However, clinical trials and regulatory assessments remain limited, and further research is needed to explore its bioavailability, and synergistic effects with other functional compounds. This review provides a comprehensive summary of EGT's biological functions, application potential, and current production strategies, offering insights into its future development as a high-value nutraceutical and pharmaceutical ingredient.</p>","PeriodicalId":77,"journal":{"name":"Food & Function","volume":" 19","pages":" 7473-7490"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145022465","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fermented purple potato dough improves glycolipid metabolism by modulating gut microbiota and fecal metabolites in high-fat diet-induced obese mice†","authors":"Yongli Zhang, Wenying Zeng, Xue Bai, Zikang Liao, Jiaying Zhang, Xiaochun Yang, Yi Sheng, Jinhong Wu and Shuhong Wu","doi":"10.1039/D5FO01961C","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D5FO01961C","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Obesity is one of the major global public health concerns. Purple potatoes exhibit anti-obesity properties attributable to their content of abundant polyphenols and amylose. However, the anti-obesity effects and underlying mechanisms of purple potato-based staple foods <em>in vivo</em> remain to be fully elucidated. Here, the anti-obesity effects and underlying mechanism of fermented purple potato dough (FD) were investigated in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. The results showed that FD could reduce the body weight gain and improve the glucose tolerance and insulin resistance in HFD-induced obesity mice. FD effectively reduced the total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and this reduction was accompanied by improved lipid homeostasis in hepatic and epididymal adipose tissues. Supplementation with FD effectively modified the gut microbiota to facilitate a protective effect in the colon, such as increasing the abundance of genera <em>Colidextribacter</em>, <em>unidentified_Lachnospiraceae</em>, <em>Blautia</em>, <em>Ligilactobacillus</em>, and <em>Oscillibacter</em>, and decreasing the abundance of genera <em>Dubosiella</em> and <em>Faecalibaculum</em>. Meanwhile, FD remarkably modulated the metabolites involved in glycerophospholipid metabolism, including elevated PE-NMe (15 : 0/22 : 0) and PE-NMe (15 : 0/22 : 6(4<em>Z</em>,7<em>Z</em>,10<em>Z</em>,13<em>Z</em>,16<em>Z</em>,19<em>Z</em>)), thus further improving dyslipidemia. These findings elucidated that FD could be used as a promising foodstuff in a dietary strategy for alleviating obesity by regulating specific gut microbiota and fecal metabolites.</p>","PeriodicalId":77,"journal":{"name":"Food & Function","volume":" 17","pages":" 6939-6950"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144853972","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Soy isoflavones improve sympathetic nervous system-driven non-alcoholic fatty liver disease through estrogen-like effects","authors":"Jing Yang, Yuhang Zhao, Zhengjie Ye, Zhiyi Liu, Lingling Chang, Xinran Wang, Yuandong Qiao, Liquan Tong and Yonggang Cao","doi":"10.1039/D5FO01459J","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D5FO01459J","url":null,"abstract":"<p >This study investigated the advantages of gerbils as a sympathetic nervous system (SNS)-driven model for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and evaluated the therapeutic potential of soy isoflavones (SIFs). Gerbils exhibited unique SNS characteristics, with an adrenal gland-to-kidney weight ratio 2–3 times higher than that of C57BL/6 mice and Wistar rats, demonstrating elevated levels of adrenaline (AE) and noradrenaline (NE) as well as more pronounced anxiety-like behaviors, indicating enhanced SNS activity. Additionally, gerbils possessed liver lipid metabolism and storage capacities similar to humans, along with a simple genetic background, allowing them to more accurately reflect the pathogenesis of NAFLD. This study employed ELISA, marble-burying tests, Oil Red O staining, H&amp;E staining, laser speckle contrast imaging, TUNEL staining, immunofluorescence, and qRT-PCR to systematically evaluate the NAFLD model in gerbils and investigate the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of SIFs on NAFLD. The study found that SIFs could reduce hepatic fat deposition, improve liver function, and downregulate the expression levels of cGAS and STING in the liver by modulating the ER–cGAS–STING pathway, thereby suppressing inflammatory responses. These findings confirmed the suitability of gerbils as an ideal model for studying SNS-induced NAFLD and revealed the potential therapeutic value of SIFs in ameliorating NAFLD through specific signaling pathways. This research provided important insights for a deeper understanding of NAFLD pathogenesis and the development of novel treatment strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":77,"journal":{"name":"Food & Function","volume":" 19","pages":" 7644-7662"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144999255","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pediococcus acidilactici KCTC 15831BP-fermented industrial hempseed (Cannabis sativa L.) supplementation corrects metabolite and gut microbiota dysbiosis, potentially mitigating Alzheimer's disease-like symptoms induced by obesity in high-fat diet-fed mice†","authors":"Simon Okomo Aloo, Ramachandran Chelliah, Fred Kwame Ofosu, Ye-Won Lee, Ye Eun Cho, Se Jin Park and Deog Hwan Oh","doi":"10.1039/D5FO01921D","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D5FO01921D","url":null,"abstract":"<p >A long-term high-fat diet (HFD) intake causes obesity, disrupting the gut microbiota and body metabolite balance, and increasing the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Fermented hempseed may restore microbiota balance, improve metabolism, and reduce neuroinflammation, potentially protecting against cognitive decline. This study investigates the protective effects and mechanisms of action of <em>Pediococcus acidilactici</em> KCTC 15831BP-fermented hempseed (FHS) against AD-like symptoms induced by obesity in high-fat diet-fed mice. Nine-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were fed an HFD and supplemented with either orlistat, raw hempseed, FHS, or live <em>Pediococcus acidilactici</em> KCTC 15831BP (PA) for 15 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the impacts of supplementation on obesity- and AD-related markers, brain and blood metabolites, and fecal microbiota were assessed. HFD-fed mice exhibited obesity markers, such as increased body weight, altered serum lipids, insulin resistance, high leptin but low adiponectin levels, fatty liver, and enlarged adipose tissue. They also showed AD-related disorders, including cognitive decline, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and beta-amyloid accumulation. HFD feeding also led to gut microbiota dysbiosis and unfavorable changes in serum and brain metabolites. FHS intervention reversed most adverse effects, restoring gut microbiome balance, improving the <em>Firmicutes</em>/<em>Bacteroidetes</em> ratio, and normalizing disrupted serum and brain metabolites, including increasing protective compounds like <small>L</small>-tryptophan and <em>trans</em>-cinnamic acid. The beneficial changes in the gut microbiota and metabolite profiles caused by FHS positively correlated with improvements in obesity and AD markers. These findings highlight the interconnection between the diet, gut, and brain, emphasizing the role of the diet–microbiota–gut–brain axis in mitigating neurodegenerative diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":77,"journal":{"name":"Food & Function","volume":" 18","pages":" 7330-7349"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144936629","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"In vitro digestibility of the Sargassum fusiforme polysaccharide fermented using Lactobacillus acidophilus and its improving effect on intestinal inflammation in zebrafish","authors":"Laijin Su, Ying Yang, Yangli Xu, Lianlian Zhu, Bolun Sun and Jiali Zhou","doi":"10.1039/D5FO02879E","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D5FO02879E","url":null,"abstract":"<p >This study investigated the <em>in vitro</em> digestion characteristics of the <em>Sargassum fusiforme</em> polysaccharide fermented using <em>Lactobacillus acidophilus</em> (LA-rSFP) and its effects on dextran sulfate sodium-induced intestinal inflammation in zebrafish. The treatment substantially decreased the molecular weight of LA-rSFP and increased the reducing sugar content during gastrointestinal digestion. LA-rSFP considerably enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase and markedly decreased malondialdehyde content, indicating a reduction in oxidative stress in the intestinal environment. Moreover, LA-rSFP ameliorated colitis-induced intestinal injury and upregulated the expression of tight junction proteins (occludin, ZO-1, and claudin-1), suggesting strengthened intestinal barrier integrity. LA-rSFP also played an important role in regulating pro-inflammatory cytokines (downregulated) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (upregulated) during inflammatory responses in the zebrafish gut. The results of 16S rRNA sequencing showed that LA-rSFP increased the diversity and richness of the intestinal microbiota in zebrafish with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), enhancing the abundance of beneficial bacteria, such as <em>Fusobacteria</em>, <em>Firmicutes</em>, <em>Bacteroidetes</em>, and <em>Lactobacillus</em>, and reducing <em>Proteobacteria</em> levels. These findings suggest that the administration of LA-rSFP alleviates IBD, with the therapeutic mechanisms partially attributed to the regulation of the intestinal microbiota composition and abundance.</p>","PeriodicalId":77,"journal":{"name":"Food & Function","volume":" 19","pages":" 7629-7643"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144936674","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ZGS521 attenuates colitis by regulating intestinal epithelial proliferation and differentiation and the gut microbiota","authors":"Wei Xia, Xinyue Li, Wei Liu and Tao Zhou","doi":"10.1039/D5FO02720A","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D5FO02720A","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a persistent and relapsing intestinal disorder that significantly harms health. <em>Lactiplantibacillus plantarum</em> ZGS521 isolated from fermented pickles was identified through Gram staining, physiological and biochemical assays and 16S rDNA sequencing. The gene of <em>L. plantarum</em> ZGS521 was annotated through sequence alignment. <em>L. plantarum</em> ZGS521 was found to have excellent gastrointestinal fluid tolerance, adhesion capability and antioxidant activity. In a colitis mouse model, ZGS521 notably suppressed weight loss, decreased the disease activity index (DAI), increased the colon length, regulated intestinal epithelial proliferation and differentiation by increasing the population of intestinal stem cells and goblet cells, and upregulated the expression levels of relevant genes with intestinal epithelial cells and enteroendocrine cells (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). Additionally, ZGS521 modulated cytokines, restored oxidative balance and repaired mucosal damage. <em>L. plantarum</em> ZGS521 also modulated short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels, increasing the proportion of beneficial microorganisms. Thus, the anti-inflammatory activities of ZGS521 may involve the modulation of intestinal epithelial proliferation and differentiation and the gut microbiota.</p>","PeriodicalId":77,"journal":{"name":"Food & Function","volume":" 18","pages":" 7134-7153"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144936584","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Propionate alleviates ulcerative colitis by modulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation†","authors":"Yao Shi, Danqing Xin, Haojie Zhang, Shuanglian Wang, Maojun Yang and Chuanyong Liu","doi":"10.1039/D5FO00772K","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D5FO00772K","url":null,"abstract":"<p > <em>Background</em>: Ulcerative colitis (UC) poses a significant health challenge characterized by recurrent inflammation of the intestinal tract, yet effective treatment options remain elusive. While previous studies have hinted at the potential of propionate, a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA), in mitigating colitis, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. <em>Purpose</em>: This study aims to elucidate the therapeutic effects of propionate in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis and explore its regulatory influence on the NLRP3 inflammasome and associated signaling pathways. <em>Methods: In vivo</em>, we employe two kinds of DSS-induced colitis model to examine propionate's impact on the NLRP3 inflammasome. Additionally, <em>in vitro</em> investigations were conducted using the RAW264.7 cell line. <em>Results</em>: Our findings present compelling evidence that propionate effectively ameliorates DSS-induced colitis by impeding NLRP3 inflammasome activation. This intervention leds to a reduction in pro-inflammatory factors, restoration of the epithelial barrier, and downregulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Notably, these effects are mediated through the activation of its receptor GPR43. <em>Conclusions</em>: This pioneering study establishes propionate as a potent agent in alleviating UC by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation. The propionate-NLRP3 axis emerges as a promising therapeutic target for inflammatory diseases, opening new avenues for treatment strategies in UC.</p>","PeriodicalId":77,"journal":{"name":"Food & Function","volume":" 17","pages":" 6925-6938"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144853987","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The effect of obesity and dietary soy protein with different isoflavone levels on fecal microbial composition in lean and obese Zucker rats over 9- and 18-week periods","authors":"Wei Li, Michael S. Robeson, Christopher E. Randolph and Reza Hakkak","doi":"10.1039/D5FO01629K","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D5FO01629K","url":null,"abstract":"<p >To characterize the effects of obesity and dietary soy protein with different isoflavone levels on fecal microbial composition, six-week-old male obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats were randomly assigned to receive a diet (6–7 rats per group) with protein supplied as casein (CAS) control, soy protein concentrate with low isoflavone (SPC-LIF, 0.154 mg isoflavone per g protein), or soy protein concentrate with high isoflavone (SPC-HIF, 2.153 mg isoflavone per g protein). DNA from fecal samples collected at 9 and 18 weeks were analyzed for microbial diversity, and differential abundance at the genus level. After 9 and 18 weeks, both obesity and dietary soy protein (<em>i.e.</em> SPC-LIF and SPC-HIF) altered fecal microbial beta-diversity. Generally, all beta-diversity metrics supported significant differences across obesity and soy protein diets (SPC-LIF and SPC-HIF). Most of all alpha-diversity metrics were not significant different between groups. At both time points, differential enrichment of microbial taxa showed segregation of samples based on obesity status and dietary treatments. Several genera (<em>e.g. Lactococcus</em>, <em>Terrisporobacter</em>, and <em>Butyribacter</em>) significantly differed between the SPC diets and the CAS diet regardless of isoflavone level and time, whereas the abundance of other genera (<em>e.g.</em> Lachnospiraceae <em>ND3007</em> and <em>Akkermansia</em>) was also affected by the isoflavone level in SPC. In conclusion, lean and obese Zucker rats had different fecal microbial compositions across dietary soy protein and isoflavone concentrations over short-term (9-week) and long-term (18-week) durations.</p>","PeriodicalId":77,"journal":{"name":"Food & Function","volume":" 18","pages":" 7187-7198"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144870410","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Efficacy and safety of steamed ginger extract for gastric health: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multi-center clinical trial","authors":"Hyang-Im Baek, Nu-Ri Ha, Chul Kim, Tae Joon Im, Yun Young Kim, Seung Hwan Hwang and Jae Woo Bae","doi":"10.1039/D5FO01172H","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D5FO01172H","url":null,"abstract":"<p >The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of steamed ginger extract (GGE03) for mild to moderate functional dyspepsia (FD) in a 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. A total of 80 subjects who met the inclusion criteria without meeting the exclusion criteria were randomly assigned to a GGE03 group (<em>n</em> = 40, 480 mg day<small>⁻¹</small> as GGE03) or a placebo group (<em>n</em> = 40). Efficacy and safety evaluations were conducted before intervention and at 12 weeks after intervention. The GGE03 group showed significantly improved gastrointestinal symptom rating scale (GSRS) total score and sub-scores (abdominal pain, constipation, indigestion, and reflux) compared to the placebo group (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.001 for all). Moreover, the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) sub-scales (general health, health change, pain, physical functioning, role limitations due to physical health, and social functioning) were significantly improved in the GGE03 group compared to those in the placebo group (<em>p</em> = 0.002, <em>p</em> = 0.016, <em>p</em> = 0.006, <em>p</em> = 0.001, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001, and <em>p</em> = 0.023, respectively). Safety evaluations (adverse events, complete blood count, blood chemistry, and urinalysis) revealed that GGE03 was safe without causing clinically meaningful changes. Therefore, GGE03 has the potential to be used as a health functional food for improving gastric health.</p>","PeriodicalId":77,"journal":{"name":"Food & Function","volume":" 18","pages":" 7316-7329"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144936039","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Daily walnut consumption increases 6-sulfatoxymelatonin urinary levels and can improve sleep quality: a randomized crossover trial†","authors":"María Fernanda Zerón-Rugerio, Aradeisy Ibarra-Picón, María Diez-Hernández, Oriol Comas-Basté, Francisco José Pérez-Cano, Trinitat Cambras and Maria Izquierdo-Pulido","doi":"10.1039/D5FO00971E","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D5FO00971E","url":null,"abstract":"<p >We aimed to study the potential impact of daily consumption of walnuts on urinary 6-sulphatoxymelatonin (6-SMT) levels and sleep quality parameters. We conducted an open-label randomized crossover trial (NCT04799821) in 76 young adults (24.1 ± 3.4 years; 85.5% women) who either ingested 40 g of walnuts daily during dinner (intervention) or refrained from eating walnuts or any other nuts (control) for 8 weeks, with a 2-week washout period. Outcome variables included the determination of 6-SMT in urine samples collected in two consecutive periods: evening (from 20:00 to 23:00) and nighttime (from 23:00 to 07:00), the measurement of sleep quality parameters (latency, wake after sleep onset, awakenings, and efficiency) and daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale). Tryptophan and melatonin contents of the walnuts used for the intervention were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. The 8-week walnut intervention significantly increased evening urinary 6-SMT concentrations (<em>p</em> = 0.029) and improved sleep latency (<em>p</em> = 0.001), while no differences were found between the baseline and control conditions. Likewise, the walnut intervention resulted in increased global sleep quality (<em>p</em> = 0.002) and lower daytime sleepiness (<em>p</em> = 0.002). Partial correlation analyses indicated that during the intervention, evening urinary 6-SMT concentrations were significantly associated with higher sleep efficiency (<em>p</em> = 0.026) and an improved global sleep quality (<em>p</em> = 0.006). Our findings highlight the potential of walnuts as sleep-promoting foods among young adults. Specifically, we demonstrated that a daily serving of 40 g of walnuts increases urinary 6-SMT levels, reduces sleep latency, and improves global sleep quality. Further research is needed to fully understand the underlying mechanisms involved in the diet–sleep association.</p>","PeriodicalId":77,"journal":{"name":"Food & Function","volume":" 18","pages":" 7023-7035"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/fo/d5fo00971e?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144820103","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}