Dear Colleagues,

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) comprises health disorders associated with the heart and blood vessels, including diseases such as coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and rheumatic heart disease, among others. This group of diseases is the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for an estimated of 17.9 million deaths each year, a third of which occur prematurely in people under the age of 70. Recently, cancers have been strongly associated with CVD, as people with CVD have a higher risk of developing cancer than those without CVD. Both groups of diseases share several risk factors, the most important of which are behavioral. Several studies have suggested that CVD and cancer can be prevented by lifestyle changes, including diet. In this context, studies suggest that a higher dietary antioxidant intake or antioxidant supplementation may reduce the incidence of these diseases. Antioxidants are essential components that help inhibit the oxidation process by scavenging free radicals in the human body, which result from the oxidation process and can severely damage an organism's cells. The World Health Organization has recognized the importance of antioxidants by advocating for an increase in their global consumption through dietary sources, as food intake is the primary way to obtain these compounds. Natural antioxidants are extensively present in functional foods. Beyond their fundamental nutritional capabilities, functional foods are those that have physiological advantages and/or lower the risk of chronic diseases. Among these plant-based natural antioxidants are polyphenols (phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, lignans, and stilbenes), carotenoids (xanthophylls and carotenes), vitamins (E and C) and, more recently reported, peptides. Thus, increasing the knowledge about healthy affordable and available choices is essential for promoting the approval and sustained practice of healthy behaviors. We invite you to submit your latest research findings or a review article to this Special Issue, which will bring together current research that may serve as a useful collection of evidence for clinicians and medical professionals for the treatment of CVD and cancer through the consumption of functional foods rich in antioxidants, in addition to serving as a resource of updated information for researchers.

We look forward to your contribution.

Dr. Maira Rubi Segura Campos
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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• natural antioxidants
• oxidative stress
• cardiovascular diseases
• cancer