Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 4 — Narrative / commentaryPeer-reviewed

The nutritional functions of dietary sphingomyelin and its applications in food.

Yang F, Chen G.

Front Nutr · 2022

Read source ↗ All evidence

Summary

This narrative review examines the nutritional functions of sphingomyelin, a phospholipid constituent of animal-derived foods and emerging food ingredients, and explores its applications in food formulation and fortification. The authors likely synthesise mechanistic evidence on sphingomyelin's role in lipid metabolism, cell membrane integrity, and gastrointestinal health, whilst considering practical food industry implementation. The work contributes to understanding of bioactive lipids in human nutrition beyond conventional macronutrient categories.

UK applicability

The findings may be relevant to UK food manufacturers and reformulation initiatives aiming to enhance functional food products with bioactive lipids, particularly in dairy and meat-derived products where sphingomyelin naturally occurs. However, applicability depends on whether the review addresses regulatory frameworks and consumer acceptability within UK/EU food labelling contexts.

Key measures

Sphingomyelin bioavailability, absorption mechanisms, cellular and metabolic functions, food fortification applications

Outcomes reported

The study reviewed the biochemical functions of sphingomyelin and its bioavailability in human nutrition, alongside potential food applications and fortification strategies. The review likely synthesised evidence on sphingomyelin's roles in cellular function, lipid metabolism, and potential health benefits in dietary contexts.

Theme
Nutrition & health
Subject
Dietary fats & fatty acids
Study type
Narrative Review
Study design
Narrative review
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
System type
Laboratory / in vitro
DOI
10.3389/fnut.2022.1002574
Catalogue ID
NRmo9rin9c-04c

Topic tags

Pulse AI · ask about this record

Dig deeper with Pulse AI.

Pulse AI has read the whole catalogue. Ask about this record, its theme, or how the findings apply to UK farming and policy — every answer cites the underlying studies.