Search

In recent years, obesity has become a global public health issue. It is closely associated with the occurrence of several chronic diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Some edible and medicinal plants show anti-obesity activity, such as fruits, vegetables, spices, legumes, edible flowers, mushrooms, and medicinal plants. Numerous studies have indicated that these plants are potential candidates for the prevention and management of obesity. The major anti-obesity mechanisms of plants include suppressing appetite, reducing the absorption of lipids and carbohydrates, inhibiting adipogenesis and lipogenesis, regulating lipid metabolism, increasing energy expenditure, regulating gut microbiota, and improving obesity-related inflammation. In this review, the anti-obesity activity of edible and medicinal plants was summarized based on epidemiological, experimental, and clinical studies, with related mechanisms discussed, which provided the basis for the research and development of slimming products. Further studies should focus on the exploration of safer plants with anti-obesity activity and the identification of specific anti-obesity mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dark tea is a post-fermented tea with unique organoleptic characteristics. A unique microbial fermentation procedure is involved in dark tea processing that is considered a major factor to manage the quality of dark tea. Dark tea is gaining increasing attention recently because it contains various bioactive compounds with diverse biological functions. This review summarizes the microbial fermentation process, main bioactive compounds, and important biological functions or health benefits of dark tea, emphasizing its protective effects against different diseases and relevant molecular mechanisms, and proposes the perspectives in research and application of dark tea. Functional core microorganism-mediated bioconversion is crucial for the formation of dark tea's main quality components during the fermentation period. Dark tea contains a variety of bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, free amino acids, peptides, polyphenols, pigments, polysaccharides, and volatile compounds. Consumption of dark teas has been linked to multiple health benefits, such as antioxidant, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, cardiovascular protective, gastrointestinal protective, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, and photoprotective activities. Future studies focusing on the health mechanisms of dark teas and the potential applications of dark tea in the food, pharmaceutical, and medical industries are guaranteed. • Dark teas are rich in diverse bioactive compounds. • Several core microorganisms are involved in dark tea fermentation. • Dark teas possess plenty of biological functions, especially anti-obesity and cardiovascular protective effects. • It is recommended for the public to consume dark teas to prevent and manage certain chronic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]