Metabolic syndrome, a global health concern, is characterized by visceral obesity, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and chronic low-grade inflammation. Current therapeutic options are limited by their varying efficacy and significantly adverse side effects, fueling interest in natural products, particularly plant extracts, as potential preventive interventions for high-risk individuals. This review examines the role of plant extracts in mitigating metabolic syndrome risk factors, addressing safety concerns and exploring associated technological advancements. The literature indicates that plant extracts hold promise for addressing the pathophysiology of metabolic dysfunction. However, challenges such as safety concerns, a lack of standardized regulation, and potential drug–plant interactions currently limit their clinical application. Rigorous, long-term clinical trials are necessary to confirm the efficacy and safety of plant extracts before they can be established as a preventive strategy for managing metabolic syndrome.

Carrot juice processing generates large amounts of pomace, a fibre-rich by-product with significant valorisation potential. This study explored the feasibility of fermenting carrot by-product with Levilactobacillus brevis AM7 and Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides DSM20193 to produce exopolysaccharide (EPS)-enriched functional beverages. Beverages were fermented with or without sucrose addition (EPS⁺ and EPS⁻, respectively) and characterized for microbiological, biochemical, rheological, and sensory attributes. Both strains showed robust growth (>8 log cfu/mL) and acidification (final pH below 4.8), comparable to plant-based yoghurt alternatives, with EPS synthesis markedly enhanced in sucrose-supplemented beverages. Leuc. pseudomesenteroides DSM20193 synthesized the highest EPS concentration (16.8 g/100 g dry weight), resulting in a 6-fold viscosity increase compared to EPS⁻ samples, thus improving the adherence to the spoon and preventing syneresis of the beverages. Sensory evaluation revealed that EPS⁺ carrot-based beverages had improved sweetness due to a slight sucrose residue, aroma, and mouthfeel, while maintaining low off-flavours and high colour uniformity. The results highlight carrot by-product as a promising substrate for developing clean-label beverages that are rich in dietary fibres and polyphenols and show antioxidant and potential prebiotic properties through sustainable fermentation processes.

Background/Objectives: Primary insomnia is characterized by persistent sleeplessness that is not caused by medical, psychological, or environmental factors. It is defined by difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep for at least one month, leading to significant distress or impairment in daily functioning. This randomized, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial aimed to assess the efficacy and tolerability of a Scutellaria lateriflora L. extract-based food supplement in subjects with mild to moderate primary insomnia. Methods: A total of 66 participants, aged 18–70 years, were randomly allocated into two groups (1:1 allocation ratio) and received either the food supplement (400 mg/day) or a placebo for 56 days, separated by a 28-day washout period. The clinical effectiveness of the food supplement was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) as the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcomes included sleep-wake cycle parameters (sleep onset latency, sleep efficiency, and total sleep time) and a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Results: A significant improvement in sleep-wake balance following supplementation with S. lateriflora, as reflected by enhanced scores in both primary and secondary outcomes, was observed. Furthermore, none of the participants reported adverse effects from the food supplement. Conclusions: Overall, these findings suggest that a S. lateriflora extract-based food supplement is a safe and effective strategy for restoring the sleep-wake cycle and improving quality of life in individuals with primary insomnia.

Background/Objectives: Malva sylvestris L. is rich in mucilage and is traditionally used for the management of numerous ailments including gastrointestinal disorders. Functional constipation (FC) is a gastrointestinal condition characterized by defecation anomalies such as infrequent stools, difficulty in stool passage, or both in the absence of pathological abnormalities. FC can be reduced through lifestyle factors and dietary intervention. This consumer-based survey aimed to assess the efficacy of a M. sylvestris extract-based food supplement on the improvement of FC. Methods: Healthy participants (n = 56), enrolled in a consumer-based survey, took a food supplement containing a chemically characterized M. sylvestris extract at a dose of 20 mL/day (containing 750 mg of M. sylvestris extract rich in food fiber and polyphenols) for 20 days on the advice of their pharmacist. The study evaluated bowel movement frequency (intestinal diary), stool consistency (Bristol Stool Form Scale, BSFS), and abdominal pain (Visual Analogue Scale, VAS), at baseline (T0), after 10 days (T1), and after 20 days (T2). Results: A significant increase in bowel movement frequency and stool consistency (p < 0.001) with a significant decrease in abdominal pain (p < 0.001) was observed. Additionally, this food supplement was well-tolerated as no adverse effects were reported by the enrolled subjects. Conclusion: M. sylvestris-based food supplement showed promising effectiveness and satisfaction in improving FC in healthy subjects, however, randomized clinical studies are needed to confirm these preliminary results.

Background/Objectives: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may precede dementia, and safe nutritional strategies able to support cognitive function are of clinical interest. Dietary nucleotides may contribute to membrane phospholipid synthesis, synaptic function, and neuroprotective pathways; however, clinical evidence in older adults with MCI remains limited. This randomized placebo-controlled trial evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of nucleotide-rich yeast extracts from Kluyveromyces fragilis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Methods: Seventy-two participants (mean age 73.5 ± 7.7 years; range 60–85) were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to receive K. fragilis extract, S. cerevisiae extract, or placebo once daily for 180 days. Cognitive outcomes were assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) at baseline (T0), 90 days (T1), and 180 days (T2); quality of life was assessed using the SF-12 questionnaire at T0 and T2. Treatment effects were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models adjusted for age and sex. Results: After 180 days, MoCA scores increased by 4.42 points in the K. fragilis group and 3.92 points in the S. cerevisiae group, compared with 0.58 points in the placebo group (time × treatment p < 0.001; T0–T2 within-group p < 0.001 for both active groups and p = 0.14 for placebo). MMSE scores increased by 1.62 and 3.11 points in the K. fragilis and S. cerevisiae groups, respectively, compared with 0.25 points in the placebo group (time × treatment p < 0.001; T0–T2 within-group p < 0.001 for both active groups and p = 0.57 for placebo). The SF-12 mental component score increased by 7.50 and 9.16 points in the two active groups, respectively (time × treatment p = 0.022; T0–T2 p = 0.0013 and p < 0.001, respectively), while physical quality-of-life scores did not change significantly (PCS time × treatment p = 0.11). No adverse events were reported. Conclusions: Nucleotide-rich K. fragilis and S. cerevisiae yeast extracts were well tolerated and were associated with improved cognitive scores over six months in older adults with MCI. Larger multicenter trials are needed to confirm these findings.

Metabolic syndrome is a global health challenge, marked by visceral obesity, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and chronic low-grade systemic inflammation. The limitations of existing therapeutic options, including variable efficacy and significant risk of adverse events, have driven growing interest in natural products, particularly vegetable extracts as food supplements or functional food ingredients to prevent metabolic syndrome risk factors in high-risk individuals. This study provides a comprehensive review of the role of vegetable extracts in mitigating metabolic syndrome risk factors, addressing their safety concerns, and exploring associated technological advancements. Evidence from the literature highlights the potential of these extracts to combat the pathogenesis of metabolic dysfunctions. However, challenges such as safety concerns, lack of standardized regulations, and the possibility of drug-food interactions impede their clinical application. Robust, long-term clinical studies are essential to confirm the efficacy and safety of vegetable extracts before they can be established as a preventive strategy for managing metabolic syndrome.