Fungi as Functional Food for Preventive Medicine and for Maintaining Health

Fungi represent one of nature’s most biochemically diverse kingdoms. Edible mushrooms, medicinal fungi, and lichens are rich in proteins, healthy fats, essential minerals, vitamins, and bioactive compounds that extend well beyond basic nutrition. As scientific interest in functional foods grows, fungi are increasingly recognised as a powerful resource at the interface of nutritional biology, natural product chemistry, and preventive medicine.Across major fungal groups, species produce a broad spectrum of secondary metabolites such as polysaccharides, triterpenoids, alkaloids, and phenolic compounds with established antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, and antidiabetic properties. These characteristics make fungi valuable both as functional foods and as sources of nutraceutical and pharmaceutical compounds. Growing evidence also points to the role of fungal bioactives in supporting neurological health, including the regulation of the central nervous system (CNS) and the management of stress, anxiety, and depression.We welcome submissions addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Nutritional composition and functional properties of edible mushrooms, medicinal fungi, and lichens• Bioactive compounds in fungi and their mechanisms of action, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, and antidiabetic properties• Fungi and gut health: microbiome modulation and digestive wellness• Fungal bioactives in CNS regulation and the management of stress, anxiety, and depression• Fungi in the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease• Mushroom-based nutraceuticals, supplements, and health products: formulation and efficacy• Lichens as nutrient-dense functional foods and sources of novel bioactive compounds• Analytical techniques and processing innovations for evaluating fungi as functional foodThis Research Topic welcomes original research articles, reviews, and perspectives on the nutritional, bioactive, and therapeutic potential of edible and medicinal fungi, with a focus on their role as functional foods and nutraceuticals in preventive health and disease management. Topic editors: Dr Ankita Sehrawat, Pradeep Kumar Divakar Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/82097/fungi-as-functional-food-for-preventive-medicine-and-for-maintaining-health