Mol. Nutr. Food Res. 2014, 58, 5–6
Editorial: H.-U. Humpf et al.
5
scientific community is challenged to analyze potential beneficial health effects with independent scientific methods under realistic conditions, addressing, e.g. mode of action, bioavailability, efficacy, and metabolism, but also any adverse effects. However, for the purpose of demonstrating health benefits, cell culture experiments with supra-physiological doses of any component are by far not sufficient and such manuscripts will no longer be considered for publication in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research (MNF). Besides the scientific evidence for potential health effects of functional food products, the relevant question is if whether such products deserve a place in a balanced and varied diet. This question arises from the results of the National Food Consumption Study II, published by the Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food, Karlsruhe, Germany. Evaluation of Functional Food – Where do we representative consumption data of more than 13,700 participants showed that almost one quarter of the go? German consumers use dietary supplements. The term ,,functional food“ is defined as whole food, Consumers using supplements are in many cases far food supplement, enriched or fortified food with above the reference plasma levels for certain nutrients. beneficial health effects when consumed as part of a For example, in the case of vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12 regular diet. Currently no legal definition exists for and C, the mean plasma concentrations are functional food. Besides traditional expectations from approximately twice the reference value [1]. food, consumers are nowadays demanding foods that Several papers dealing with the potential health support wellness and energy, promote intestinal health, aspects of food constituents have been published over manage weight, stimulate immunity and improve brain the past year in MNF, ranging from effects of dietary function, to mention just a few examples. The polyphenols on sugar absorption and digestion [2], worldwide market for such products effects of polyphenols on neuroregulatory factors [3], is growing as the food industry is and the use of curcumin for advertising positive health aspects treating diabetes [4] to “ . . . the food and nutrition while the consumers with their busy lipidomics applications in scientific community is lifestyle want healthy food products health, disease and nutrition with great taste and ultra-convenient research [5], to mention just a challenged to analyze use. The majority of the consumers few review papers as examples. potential beneficial health in industrialized countries do not Besides these papers, MNF effects with independent even have time to eat an apple published several special issues following the advice ,,an apple a day dealing with Folate and Health scientific methods” keeps the doctor away“. (Issue 4, 2013), Cocoa and The U.S. Food and Drug Human Health (issue 6, 2013), Administration only approves health claims on food Lipidomics (issue 8, 2013) and Curcumin (issue 9, labels when based on substantial scientific evaluations. 2013). We will continue with a special focus series on The situation in Europe is similar where an EU register nutrients in 2014, starting with a special issue on on nutrition and health claims has been established that vitamin K edited by Maret Traber as Guest Editor. defines evidence-based health claims. After the slight decrease of the ISI Impact Factor in Not too surprisingly, most foods can be defined as 2011, MNF is back on track with an IF of 4.31 in 2012 functional because they provide energy and essential and a 5-Year IF of 4.89. We are very happy with this nutrients. However, there is growing evidence that progress and hope to continue the upward trend. some food constituents, which are not considered as We would like to thank the authors, senior editors, nutrients in the classical way, may provide positive members of the editorial board, reviewers and the health effects. In this context the food and nutrition former Editor in Chief, Peter Schreier, for their C 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
www.mnf-journal.com
6
Editorial: H.-U. Humpf et al.
Mol. Nutr. Food Res. 2014, 58, 5–6
substantial contribution to ensure scientific quality and success of MNF. We also thank Chris Mayer and all other coworkers from the publisher for their support in all administrative questions and a fruitful and helpful collaboration.
Hans-Ulrich Humpf University of M¨unster
References [1] Max Rubner-Institute (MRI), Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food, Karlsruhe, Germany, Press release dated July 22, 2013. [2] Williams, G., Possible effects of dietary polyphenols on sugar absorption and digestion. Mol. Nutr. Food Res. 2013, 57, 48–57.
Claus Schneider Vanderbilt University Medical School
Jan Frederik Stevens Oregon State University
C 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
[3] Panickar, K. S., Effects of dietary polyphenols on neuroregulatory factors and pathways that mediate food intake and energy regulation in obesity. Mol. Nutr. Food Res. 2013, 57, 34–47. [4] Maradana, M. R., Thomas, R., O’Sullivan, B.J., Targeted delivery of curcumin for treating type 2 diabetes. Mol. Nutr. Food Res. 2013, 57, 1550–1556. [5] Murphy, S. A., Nicolaou, A., Lipidomics applications in health, disease and nutrition research. Mol. Nutr. Food Res. 2013, 57, 1336–1346.
www.mnf-journal.com
Editorial: H.-U. Humpf et al.
5
scientific community is challenged to analyze potential beneficial health effects with independent scientific methods under realistic conditions, addressing, e.g. mode of action, bioavailability, efficacy, and metabolism, but also any adverse effects. However, for the purpose of demonstrating health benefits, cell culture experiments with supra-physiological doses of any component are by far not sufficient and such manuscripts will no longer be considered for publication in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research (MNF). Besides the scientific evidence for potential health effects of functional food products, the relevant question is if whether such products deserve a place in a balanced and varied diet. This question arises from the results of the National Food Consumption Study II, published by the Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food, Karlsruhe, Germany. Evaluation of Functional Food – Where do we representative consumption data of more than 13,700 participants showed that almost one quarter of the go? German consumers use dietary supplements. The term ,,functional food“ is defined as whole food, Consumers using supplements are in many cases far food supplement, enriched or fortified food with above the reference plasma levels for certain nutrients. beneficial health effects when consumed as part of a For example, in the case of vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12 regular diet. Currently no legal definition exists for and C, the mean plasma concentrations are functional food. Besides traditional expectations from approximately twice the reference value [1]. food, consumers are nowadays demanding foods that Several papers dealing with the potential health support wellness and energy, promote intestinal health, aspects of food constituents have been published over manage weight, stimulate immunity and improve brain the past year in MNF, ranging from effects of dietary function, to mention just a few examples. The polyphenols on sugar absorption and digestion [2], worldwide market for such products effects of polyphenols on neuroregulatory factors [3], is growing as the food industry is and the use of curcumin for advertising positive health aspects treating diabetes [4] to “ . . . the food and nutrition while the consumers with their busy lipidomics applications in scientific community is lifestyle want healthy food products health, disease and nutrition with great taste and ultra-convenient research [5], to mention just a challenged to analyze use. The majority of the consumers few review papers as examples. potential beneficial health in industrialized countries do not Besides these papers, MNF effects with independent even have time to eat an apple published several special issues following the advice ,,an apple a day dealing with Folate and Health scientific methods” keeps the doctor away“. (Issue 4, 2013), Cocoa and The U.S. Food and Drug Human Health (issue 6, 2013), Administration only approves health claims on food Lipidomics (issue 8, 2013) and Curcumin (issue 9, labels when based on substantial scientific evaluations. 2013). We will continue with a special focus series on The situation in Europe is similar where an EU register nutrients in 2014, starting with a special issue on on nutrition and health claims has been established that vitamin K edited by Maret Traber as Guest Editor. defines evidence-based health claims. After the slight decrease of the ISI Impact Factor in Not too surprisingly, most foods can be defined as 2011, MNF is back on track with an IF of 4.31 in 2012 functional because they provide energy and essential and a 5-Year IF of 4.89. We are very happy with this nutrients. However, there is growing evidence that progress and hope to continue the upward trend. some food constituents, which are not considered as We would like to thank the authors, senior editors, nutrients in the classical way, may provide positive members of the editorial board, reviewers and the health effects. In this context the food and nutrition former Editor in Chief, Peter Schreier, for their C 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
www.mnf-journal.com
6
Editorial: H.-U. Humpf et al.
Mol. Nutr. Food Res. 2014, 58, 5–6
substantial contribution to ensure scientific quality and success of MNF. We also thank Chris Mayer and all other coworkers from the publisher for their support in all administrative questions and a fruitful and helpful collaboration.
Hans-Ulrich Humpf University of M¨unster
References [1] Max Rubner-Institute (MRI), Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food, Karlsruhe, Germany, Press release dated July 22, 2013. [2] Williams, G., Possible effects of dietary polyphenols on sugar absorption and digestion. Mol. Nutr. Food Res. 2013, 57, 48–57.
Claus Schneider Vanderbilt University Medical School
Jan Frederik Stevens Oregon State University
C 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
[3] Panickar, K. S., Effects of dietary polyphenols on neuroregulatory factors and pathways that mediate food intake and energy regulation in obesity. Mol. Nutr. Food Res. 2013, 57, 34–47. [4] Maradana, M. R., Thomas, R., O’Sullivan, B.J., Targeted delivery of curcumin for treating type 2 diabetes. Mol. Nutr. Food Res. 2013, 57, 1550–1556. [5] Murphy, S. A., Nicolaou, A., Lipidomics applications in health, disease and nutrition research. Mol. Nutr. Food Res. 2013, 57, 1336–1346.
www.mnf-journal.com
