Clinical Implementation of Sustainable Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals in Metabolic Health: A Feasibility Study.

Functional foods and nutraceuticals were well-tolerated with high adherence exceeding 80% over the 4-week intervention.

• Adherence rate was greater than 80% across participants
• The intervention lasted 4 weeks with daily servings of functional foods and nutraceutical formulations
• Participants were adults aged ≥50 years with metabolic risk factors
• Tolerability was assessed throughout the intervention period

Bioactive compounds from the functional foods were detectable in serum following consumption, confirming their bioavailability.

• Serum bioactive compound levels were measured post-consumption
• Functional food prototypes included Calabrian tomato, pomegranate, bergamot, blueberry, and hazelnut products
• Products were characterized for bioactive content prior to the intervention
• Bioavailability assessment was included as part of the feasibility evaluation

Two distinct nutraceutical formulations — a whey protein-based and an essential amino acid-based formulation — were developed and evaluated in the intervention.

• Participants consumed either a whey protein-based or essential amino acid-based nutraceutical daily
• Both formulations were assessed for palatability, bioavailability, and safety
• The nutraceuticals were combined with functional food prototypes as part of the Mediterranean-style dietary intervention
• Outcomes assessed included anthropometry, body composition, muscle strength, and biochemical markers pre- and post-intervention

The functional food prototypes were developed from Calabrian regional ingredients and characterized for their bioactive content before clinical use.

• Products were derived from Calabrian tomato, pomegranate, bergamot, blueberry, and hazelnut
• Characterization included assessment of bioactive compound content
• Products were assessed for palatability prior to the clinical intervention
• Safety profiling was conducted as part of the product development process

The study supports the feasibility of combined functional food and nutraceutical strategies within a Mediterranean dietary pattern and provides rationale for a larger randomized controlled trial.

• The study was explicitly designed as a feasibility study focusing on feasibility, tolerability, and preliminary clinical effects
• Outcomes measured included compliance, acceptability, anthropometry, body composition, muscle strength, and biochemical markers
• Authors identified metabolic, musculoskeletal, and hepatic outcomes as targets for a future larger RCT
• Preliminary findings supported the potential clinical benefit of combined dietary strategies