Bioactive Compounds and Nutrient Transformations Through the Gastrointestinal Tract.

The field of nutritional science increasingly recognizes that the health benefits of dietary bioactive compounds and micronutrients depend on their metabolisation within the gastrointestinal tract. These compounds—such as polyphenols, carotenoids, vitamins, and trace minerals—undergo a series of physical, chemical, and enzymatic transformations during digestion that determine their bioaccessibility, absorption, and ultimate bioavailability. Research has shown that the food matrix, digestive enzyme activity, gastrointestinal pH, and interactions with the gut microbiota are key factors influencing compound stability and functional efficacy. Yet, despite notable progress, gaps persist in fully understanding how these processes regulate nutrient functionality and contribute to individual variability in nutritional responses. Clarifying these mechanisms remains essential to advancing both fundamental and applied nutrition science.This Research Topic aims to elucidate the digestive fate and biological efficacy of dietary bioactives and micronutrients and to bridge the current knowledge gap between compound structure, digestive transformation, and physiological effect. It seeks to foster research that applies complementary in vitro, in vivo, and in silico approaches to model nutrient metabolism and predict their health impacts. By integrating these methodologies, the Research Topic aims to guide the formulation of functional foods, optimize dietary recommendations, and support the development of tailored nutritional strategies that promote health and prevent chronic disease.To gather further insights into the nutritional fate of bioactive compounds and micronutrients, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Mechanistic studies on digestion, absorption, and metabolism of dietary bioactives and micronutrients• Influence of food matrices and processing on nutrient bioaccessibility and stability• Gut microbiota-mediated biotransformation and its nutritional implications• Advances in in vitro, in silico, and in vivo models for studying nutrient digestion and absorption• Nutritional interventions designed to enhance compound bioavailability and efficacy• Novel analytical and computational approaches for assessing nutrient dynamics during digestion Topic editors: Paulo Berni, Thiécla Katiane Osvaldt Rosales, Maressa Caldeira Morzelle Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/82826/bioactive-compounds-and-nutrient-transformations-through-the-gastrointestinal-tract