Researchers at Georgia State University are delving into the science of functional foods, suggesting that everyday food choices might be a key to better health, instead of relying on pills.
Associate Professor of Nutrition, Rafaela Feresin, is leading studies to uncover how certain foods can improve health and prevent disease. Her team focuses on foods with both nutritional and medicinal properties—so-called “functional foods.” These foods not only provide essential nutrients but also contain compounds that promote overall well-being.
“Our goal is to understand how foods like berries and nuts can help prevent and improve conditions such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and obesity,” says Feresin. “We also aim to understand the molecular mechanisms behind these health benefits.”
This research falls under the field of molecular nutrition, which studies how food affects the body at a cellular level. Feresin explains that many foods contain bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, which offer health benefits beyond basic nutrition. Found mainly in plant-based foods, these compounds help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, which are linked to chronic conditions.
For example, research has shown that polyphenols in berries can neutralize free radicals and influence enzymes that contribute to better health. In an ongoing study, Feresin’s team found that combining blackberries and raspberries in the diet lowered blood pressure more effectively than eating either berry alone.
“Polyphenols do more than just fight free radicals. They interact with molecular targets that help the body function better, such as increasing nitric oxide, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood vessel health,” Feresin explains. She adds that these compounds can also improve insulin sensitivity, aiding in blood glucose regulation and supporting metabolic health.
Polyphenols are produced by plants in response to environmental stressors like sunlight, drought, or pests. Berries, such as blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries, are well-known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, Feresin’s research digs deeper into how these compounds interact with the body at a molecular level.
The Power of Peanuts
Peanuts, too, are a focal point of Feresin’s research due to their potential benefits for heart health. Rich in healthy fats, fiber, protein, and bioactive compounds like polyphenols and phytosterols, peanuts may help regulate blood sugar and even enhance brain function.
Feresin’s team is working to identify safe, alternative nutritional strategies that could help prevent and improve diseases. This work is carried out by a dedicated group of around 20 graduate and undergraduate students.
Mentorship plays a crucial role in Feresin’s research. Inspired by her own mentor, Feresin is passionate about guiding her students to reach their full potential. In 2024, she received the Outstanding Mentor Award from the Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions.
“Research is a team effort,” she says. “The success of my students is my success, and seeing them achieve more than they thought possible motivates me every day.”
Student Contributions
One of Feresin’s graduate students, Jessica P. Danh, is studying how polyphenols in berries may improve gut health and lower blood pressure. Her work, which has won several awards, is focused on understanding how functional foods promote health and prevent disease.
“We want to help the public make better-informed decisions about their health by understanding how foods, like berries, can help,” Danh says.
Rami Najjar, a former Ph.D. student of Feresin’s, now works as a postdoctoral fellow at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). His research focuses on plant-based diets and their role in preventing cardiovascular disease, which remains a leading cause of death.
“Finding ways to prevent, treat, and even reverse cardiovascular disease is crucial,” Najjar says. He is working with experts in nutrition and immune health to improve cardiovascular disease prevention.
Looking Ahead
Feresin and her interdisciplinary team are investigating how functional foods, such as blueberries and peanuts, affect heart health, gut health, brain function, and overall well-being. By bringing together specialists in microbiome research, cognitive function, and other fields, they hope to develop food-based interventions that could one day replace traditional medications.
With growing evidence showing that foods like berries and peanuts can significantly improve health, Feresin’s research is helping to lay the groundwork for future food-based health strategies.
“It’s not just about eating more of one food,” Feresin says. “It’s about eating a variety of natural, minimally processed foods. A balanced diet, with all the bioactive plant compounds, is the foundation of good health.”
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