This narrative review examines the interplay among body image perceptions, social media influence, physical measurements, and their impact on psychological well-being, focusing on the roles of cultural and gender differences and the need to understand the research methodologies employed in this field. In the age of digital proliferation, platforms like Instagram and Facebook have reshaped body image concerns, often leading to increased dissatisfaction and psychological distress due to constant exposure to idealized images and a culture of social comparison. Physical attributes such as weight, height, and BMI are scrutinized under societal standards of health and attractiveness, contributing to a spectrum of mental health issues including low self-esteem, depression, and eating disorders. This examination reveals how cultural norms and gender expectations further complicate body image perceptions, affecting individuals differently based on societal and personal ideals. It synthesizes current research and types of methods to illuminate how these factors together influence mental health and self-esteem, advocating for comprehensive interventions and policy measures aimed at mitigating body dissatisfaction and promoting a healthier, more inclusive understanding of body image. By delving into the complexities of body image satisfaction and its psychological implications, this review highlights the necessity of addressing these concerns within public health and social policy frameworks, underscoring the importance of a multifaceted approach to enhance individual and societal well-being.

The dietary practices of athletes play a crucial role in shaping their body composition, influencing sports performance, training adaptations, and overall health. However, despite the widely acknowledged significance of dietary intake in athletic success, there exists a gap in our understanding of the intricate relationships between nutrition, body composition, and performance. Furthermore, emerging evidence suggests that many athletes fail to adopt optimal nutritional practices, which can impede their potential achievements. In response, this Special Issue seeks to gather research papers that delve into athletes’ dietary practices and their potential impacts on body composition and sports performance. Additionally, studies focusing on interventions aimed at optimizing dietary habits are encouraged. This paper outlines the key aspects and points that will be developed in the ensuing articles of this Special Issue.

Epithelial transport is a multifaceted process crucial for maintaining normal physiological functions in the human body. This comprehensive review delves into the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying epithelial transport and its significance in disease pathogenesis. Beginning with an introduction to epithelial transport, it covers various forms, including ion, water, and nutrient transfer, followed by an exploration of the processes governing ion transport and hormonal regulation. The review then addresses genetic disorders, like cystic fibrosis and Bartter syndrome, that affect epithelial transport. Furthermore, it investigates the involvement of epithelial transport in the pathophysiology of conditions such as diarrhea, hypertension, and edema. Finally, the review analyzes the impact of renal disease on epithelial transport and highlights the potential for future research to uncover novel therapeutic interventions for conditions like cystic fibrosis, hypertension, and renal failure.

Cocoa-based foods are increasingly recognized as complex plant-derived matrices with potential relevance for metabolic health, driven by interactions among multiple bioactive components. Metabolic disorders, including insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, are characterized by disturbances in glucose homeostasis, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction. This narrative review critically examines the antidiabetic potential of cocoa-based plant matrices, integrating evidence from nutritional biochemistry and metabolic physiology. We analyze the specific role of cocoa flavanols in redox-sensitive signaling pathways related to nitric oxide bioavailability and insulin signaling. Furthermore, we evaluate how complementary matrix components, such as non-glycemic sweeteners, prebiotic and viscous fibers, oleic-rich lipids, and micronutrients, modulate postprandial glycemic responses, gut microbiota activity, and overall metabolic regulation. Current evidence indicates that the metabolic effects of cocoa cannot be attributed to isolated compounds but emerge from coordinated interactions within the food matrix. Understanding these multi-component dynamics is essential for the rational design of cocoa-based functional foods aimed at improving glycemic control and supporting metabolic resilience.

The emergence of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) and dual incretin-based therapies has fundamentally transformed obesity pharmacotherapy, enabling magnitudes of non-surgical weight loss that were previously unattainable. Yet, the clinical success of these treatments cannot be measured in kilograms alone. Total body weight is a composite, tissue-nonspecific endpoint that fails to distinguish between adipose reduction and losses in skeletal muscle mass, strength, and physical function—compartments of direct relevance to metabolic health, functional independence, and long-term resilience. This narrative review builds on and extends existing conceptualizations of weight loss quality by proposing a clinically oriented, multidimensional framework of high-quality weight loss. Within this framework, preferential adiposity reduction is achieved while preserving skeletal muscle mass, neuromuscular function, dietary adequacy, and cardiometabolic health. We examine the physiological and clinical consequences of lean tissue loss during pharmacological energy restriction, with specific attention to phenotypes at greatest risk (i.e., older adults, individuals with sarcopenic obesity, and those with type 2 diabetes). We then evaluate the evidence supporting precision protein nutrition, dietary fiber adequacy, and gastrointestinal tolerability management as nutritional countermeasures, followed by a mechanistic and clinical analysis of resistance training as the primary exercise strategy for preserving lean mass and function. Finally, we discuss body composition monitoring, integrated multidisciplinary care, and unresolved research gaps. The future of obesity treatment lies not in greater weight loss per se, but in achieving better weight loss—defined as metabolically favorable, functionally responsible, and clinically sustainable. Bone health is treated as a further dimension of high-quality weight loss, since pharmacologically driven energy restriction can adversely affect areal bone mineral density and microarchitecture, and adequate protein intake combined with mechanical loading is required to preserve skeletal integrity alongside lean mass.

Marine halophytes are gaining attention as a source of plant-derived bioactive compounds with potential applications across nutraceuticals, functional foods, and preventive nutrition. Among them, Salicornia europaea L. is a coastal succulent whose adaptation to hypersaline environments shapes a distinctive phytochemical profile of pharmacological interest. This narrative review integrates current evidence on the bioactive composition, mechanistic activities, and translational relevance of S. europaea and related Salicornia species. Their secondary metabolome includes flavonols, isorhamnetin glycosides, hydroxycinnamic acids, oleanane-type triterpene saponins, fermentable polysaccharides, carotenoids, and a mineral-rich ionic matrix. Reported activities span antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, vascular-protective, anti-adipogenic, glycaemic-modulating, antimicrobial, and microbiome-related effects, mediated through pathways involving NF-κB, PPAR-γ, endothelial nitric oxide signalling, and short-chain fatty acid production. Beyond its individual phytochemical components, the matrix as a whole may also support sodium-reduction strategies in food formulation, providing a complementary nutritional rationale for its incorporation as a functional ingredient. Despite a coherent body of mechanistic and preclinical findings, clinical evidence remains limited, particularly regarding long-term efficacy, dose standardisation, and bioavailability in humans. Future work should prioritise adequately powered intervention trials and standardised characterisation of marine halophyte bioactives to clarify their evidence-based role in functional food development and future precision nutrition applications.