Summary
This comprehensive narrative review, published in 2025, examines the mechanistic basis and clinical evidence for the role of dietary phytochemicals in preventing and managing chronic disease. Drawing on a broad body of peer-reviewed literature, it likely categorises major phytochemical classes, describes their proposed molecular targets, and critically appraises the strength of human clinical evidence. As a comprehensive review, it serves as a useful reference document for researchers and practitioners seeking an overview of current understanding in nutritional biochemistry and phytomedicine.
UK applicability
Although the review is global in scope, its findings are broadly applicable to UK dietary health contexts, including NHS guidance on fruit and vegetable consumption and UK research agendas around diet-related chronic disease prevention. UK practitioners and policymakers may find the mechanistic and clinical synthesis relevant when evaluating dietary recommendations or commissioning further targeted research.
Key measures
Biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation; disease risk outcomes from clinical and epidemiological studies; mechanistic pathway evidence (e.g. NF-κB signalling, apoptosis induction, gut microbiome modulation); phytochemical bioavailability and dosage reported in trials
Outcomes reported
The review synthesises evidence on the biological mechanisms by which plant secondary metabolites — including polyphenols, carotenoids, glucosinolates, and alkaloids — exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and chemopreventive effects. It likely evaluates clinical and epidemiological evidence linking phytochemical intake to reduced risk of chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and metabolic disorders.
Topic tags
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