Los alimentos funcionales se caracterizan por contener en su matriz componentes con actividad biológica capaces de mejorar la salud y bienestar de los consumidores. El presente documento revisa el impacto del consumo de alimentos funcionales en enfermedades no transmisibles, trastornos gastrointestinales, deterioro cognitivo y COVID-19. De acuerdo con la literatura, el consumo de yogurt, leche baja en grasa y quinoa ayudan a controlar la diabetes mellitus tipo 2, al incrementar las HDL y mejorar la resistencia a la insulina. El jengibre y té verde contribuyen a la pérdida de peso, al aumentar la sensación de saciedad y disminuir el índice de masa corporal; además, el té de Camellia sinensis reduce los niveles de triglicéridos. Asimismo, el consumo de fresas, chía y yogurt previenen y controlan riesgos cardiovasculares, al mejorar la función endotelial y reducir la presión sistólica. Además, el consumo de galletas adicionadas con fibra, yogurt y extractos de Aloe vera ayudan en el control o prevención de trastornos gastrointestinales (constipación, colitis, diarrea asociada a antibióticos, diarrea no sanguinolenta y síndrome de intestino irritable). Adicionalmente, el consumo de té verde, granada, pescado y Ginkgo biloba previenen el deterioro cognitivo y mejoran la activación verbal y espacial. Además, el consumo de alimentos funcionales ricos en antioxidantes se propone como coadyuvante en la prevención de enfermedades virales como la COVID-19. Los principales efectos benéficos se asocian con la presencia de compuestos fenólicos, flavonoides, carotenoides, fibra dietética, ácidos grasos, prebióticos y probióticos. Por lo que, el consumo de alimentos funcionales son una alternativa para mejorar la salud.

The bioaccumulation of heavy metals, such as Cr, Cd, Pb, and As, in vegetables irrigated with contaminated water represents a risk to human health. The objective of this study was to evaluate the Cr concentration in chayote fruits in sites irrigated with contaminated water from Lake Chapala and to assess the potential risk to human health using the estimated daily intake (EDI), objective risk quotient (THQ), and carcinogenic risk quotient (TCR). In parallel, interviews were conducted with local producers to understand their perceptions of the quality of irrigation water and their willingness to adopt more sustainable agricultural practices. In two of the sites and seasons, Cr concentrations exceeded the FAO-WHO limit of 2.3 mg·kg⁻¹ (from 2.49 to 4.82 mg·kg⁻¹). In all, 90% of producers used water from Lake Chapala to irrigate their crops, although most did not perform water quality analyses, despite 32% being aware that the water was contaminated. The results highlight the need to implement strategies to increase awareness of the quality of irrigation water, as well as the need for comprehensive public policies that combine technical assessments and producer perceptions to reduce the risks associated with the use of contaminated irrigation water to promote sustainable agricultural production.

Humic substances and beneficial microorganisms are key biostimulants for sustainable agriculture and global food security in the face of climate change. Marine bacteria are emerging as a promising source of plant-beneficial microbes, tapping into a microbial diversity as immense as the oceans themselves. However, their potential, limitations, and mechanisms of action––especially in combination with other biostimulants––remain largely unexplored. In this study, we isolated the Streptomyces sp. LAP3 strain from the giant limpet Scutellastra mexicana. We evaluated the efficacy of the marine bacterium, applied alone or in combination with the humic product Leonardite hydrolate (L), in enhancing tomato performance under field conditions. Treatments included: (1) marine Streptomyces (MS), (2) Leonardite hydrolate (L), (3) both biostimulants (MS + L), and (4) a control (CTRL). We assessed growth, photosynthetic performance, antioxidant responses, and fruit yield and quality. Both biostimulants individually improved plant performance, but their combination had a significant synergistic effect, markedly boosting tomato productivity, thermotolerance, and resilience during a heatwave. Enhanced photosynthetic efficiency and antioxidant enzyme activity were associated with improved agronomic traits. These results highlight the potential of combining Streptomyces sp. LAP3 and Leonardite hydrolate as an eco-friendly strategy to increase crop productivity, strengthen stress resilience, promote sustainable agriculture, and reduce reliance on agrochemicals.

Heavy metal contamination in agricultural production is a significant public health issue in Mexico, as it directly impacts food safety and population exposure through dietary intake. Available scientific evidence indicates that vegetables and other plant-derived foods can serve as significant exposure pathways for toxic elements such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, chromium, and mercury. The consumption of contaminated foods may contribute to cumulative adverse health effects, including neurological, renal, and reproductive alterations, as well as an increased risk of chronic diseases. In Mexico, risk assessment is further constrained by methodological heterogeneity across studies and by difficulties in translating scientific evidence into concrete regulatory actions. Critically, the national regulatory framework lacks specific standards establishing maximum permissible limits for heavy metals in fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains, despite their central role in the population’s diet. Regulations focus primarily on drinking water quality and selected processed foods, creating a regulatory gap in the direct control of contaminants in crops. The findings underscore the urgent need to strengthen public policies by establishing crop-specific regulatory standards, implementing systematic monitoring programs, and integrating food safety considerations more effectively into environmental, agricultural, and public health policies in Mexico.