This summary was prepared by Hamed Kioumarsi, EBM at Springer Nature, in collaboration with Mehdi Farzpourmachiani (Technofest Institute of Technology University, Belgium) and Shabnam M. Davani (the University of Milan, Italy).
Citation: Kioumarsi, H., Farzpourmachiani, M., Z., & Davani, S. M. (2026). Bioactive Compounds, Antioxidant Mechanisms, and Their Role in the Sustainable Development Goals. Springer Nature Communities. https://go.nature.com/4xuQOr2
Introduction
The UN sustainable development goals (SDGs) represent an expansive and multi-disciplinary framework addressing some of the most pressing areas for societies worldwide. This framework covers topics as diverse as human health, nutrition, agriculture and food security, environmental sustainability, smart production, economic development, and climate change among others. In this regard, research into bioactive compounds offers an intriguing possibility to bridge the topics of food, health, and biological sustainability.
Considering the increased presence of chronic diseases and environmental and food security threats, there is an increasing interest in searching for methods of maintaining human health in a sustainable manner. Bioactive components naturally present in various foods such as fruits, vegetables, cereals, legumes, herbs, and spices may be cited as examples. The reason for their intensive studies by scientists is because they possess physiological properties beyond their nutritional value. It has been proved that these components can influence the body through various ways such as oxidative stress, inflammation, signaling cascade, and so forth. Thus, an important link has been established between nutrition, health, and the related SDGs.
Bioactive compounds and the regulation of oxidative stress
Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species are integral parts of many physiological processes. When present at elevated concentrations, they can, however, overwhelm the endogenous antioxidant defense leading to cellular damage. Reactive species are not intrinsically ‘bad’ – their presence is a normal part of physiological function. When their concentrations are too high and last for too long, the damage they can cause outweighs the benefits.
Lipids are an important component of cell membranes. Their oxidation can lead to disruption of the membrane integrity, loss of functionality, and the creation of secondary oxidized lipid species that can also be harmful. The ability to maintain the physiological balance between reactive species and antioxidant systems is an intensely studied topic due to the implications for human health, as well as environmental and agricultural sustainability.
Natural bioactive compounds as modulators of antioxidant defenses
Plants present one of the most diverse sources of bioactive compounds that were extensively studied by researchers. Polyphenols, flavonoids, phenolic acids, carotenoids, tannins, alkaloids, and many more compounds have been examined in connection to different physiological processes.
Gallic acid is a phenolic acid that is present in many plant-derived products. Studies of gallic acid and many other polyphenols mainly involved the examination of the role of these compounds in the influence of oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory cascades, and the cellular antioxidant defense.
It should, however, be noted that the biological activity of these compounds is not limited to their antioxidant activity. It becomes more and more evident that the significance of the indirect antioxidant activity of bioactive compounds lies in the ability of these compounds to affect the physiology of the cell and the expression of the antioxidant genes as well as the enzymatic activity of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, etc.
On the whole, the issue of the antioxidant effects of bioactive compounds is a lot more complicated than simply having free radical scavenging capability. Bioactive compounds which act as antioxidants may exert their effects through different mechanisms. Therefore, it is essential to take this issue into account and be aware of the fact that the biological effects of any bioactive compound can vary depending on several factors.
From antioxidant mechanisms to human health
The well-known relationship between oxidative stress and chronic diseases is an interesting tie that links the antioxidant properties of many bioactive compounds to human health. Many different conditions have been associated with oxidative stress, such as cardiometabolic disorders, neurodegeneration, and chronic inflammation.
However, the relationship between antioxidants and human health is complex. Though the positive impact of antioxidants has been proven in numerous in vitro and animal experiments, the clinical effect of taking antioxidants is hard to prove. There are several important things to take into account when discussing the health-related benefits, such as the amount of the compound, its formulation, mode of administration, and overall compatibility with the human body.
Such aspects emphasize the importance of the more detailed view on antioxidant potential of bioactive compounds.
Linking bioactive compounds with the SDGs
Since the SDGs represent a diverse set of targets spanning multiple areas of human activity and natural systems, the connection between individual bioactive compounds and any particular SDG may not be straightforward.
The most evident connection is with the SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being. It has been well-established that nutrition plays a crucial role in human health and chronic disease risk. Naturally-occurring bioactive compounds represent a compelling opportunity to influence health and reduce the burden of chronic disease. With that said, there has been extensive research into individual compounds and their potential effects, with mixed results. For the most part, individual bioactive compounds have not demonstrated remarkable effects in clinical trials. There is, therefore, a need to focus more attention and research on the physiological effects of food as a whole, rather than individual components.
Another, but related approach to linking the issue with the SDGs might involve the SDG 2 – Zero Hunger. While traditionally food security was associated with its energy content, there is a growing understanding of the significance of the quality of a diet and its nutritional value for long-term health and wellness. The diets high in fibers, vitamins, and minerals help to prevent chronic diseases and increase the quality of life. It seems logical to link the issue with nutrient-dense and bioactive-rich plant foods.
One more way of relating naturally occurring bioactive compounds with the SDGs could involve sustainability and proper use of natural resources. There are numerous cases in which the current food production system is not only inefficient but also wasteful. In that case, the SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production can be linked to the topic under discussion via the following themes: better resource recovery; waste reduction; development of alternative, sustainable food production systems; responsible use of natural resources.
Finally, there is a connection between the topic and the SDG 13 – Climate Action. Some of the ways in which climate change can be addressed include reducing food waste, improving the efficiency of food production, developing alternative, lower-impact, food production systems, and improving food processing technologies. There are, however, many other areas that should be considered when attempting to reduce the environmental impact of food production and human health.
Toward a multidisciplinary research agenda
The future research into naturally-occurring bioactive compounds requires a truly multidisciplinary approach. There is a need to combine insights from nutritional science, plant and agricultural sciences, food processing, molecular biology, pharmacology, microbiology, and sustainability to fully understand how these compounds can contribute to human health, food security, and environmental sustainability.
An important area of future research should be dedicated to exploring the benefits of food as a whole, rather than individual compounds. A better understanding of the synergy between various components is needed to fully grasp the physiological effects of nutrition and the potential for health and disease prevention. Another area of research should be aimed at reviewing the current processing practices to identify ways in which they can be made more sustainable and contribute to achieving the SDGs.
The SDGs represent a diverse set of targets, some of which can be addressed by naturally-occurring bioactive compounds and innovative food technologies better than other areas. It is important to acknowledge and explore these differences to fully utilize the available potential.
Ultimately, naturally-occurring bioactive compounds represent a fascinating intersection between nutrition, health, agriculture, and environmental sustainability. The relevance of these compounds extends beyond their potential antioxidant activity, which is far more complex than it has been traditionally recognized. Instead, an interdisciplinary approach that better incorporates the mechanisms of action and takes the physiological effects into account is crucial to fully appreciate the potential benefits.
In this regard, research into compounds such as gallic acid represents one part of a much larger effort to understand how natural biological systems can inspire new approaches to sustainability and human health.
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