Exploring the Impact of Food-Derived MicroRNAs on Obesity and Associated Disorders

Introduction: Food intake is a key factor in the pathogenesis of obesity. While high-fat and high-sugar diets contribute to the development of obesity, phytochemical-rich foods exhibit notable effects in mitigating this condition. Additionally, epigenetic mechanisms influence obesity by mediating the interaction between environmental factors and genetic variation patterns. This review explores the impact of food-derived microRNAs on obesity and its associated diseases.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature search covering studies published up to January 2025. The search utilized four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane) using the keywords ‘Food-Derived MicroRNAs’, ‘Obesity’, ‘Diet’ ‘Food’, ‘Nutriepigenomics’. Two independent reviewers carrying out both the screening and data extraction phases.

Results: MicroRNAs play a critical role in regulating gene expression at both transcriptional and translational levels, influencing the patho- genesis of various chronic diseases, including obesity, endocrine disor- ders, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes. These non-coding RNA molecules help restore homeostasis during sudden environmental changes and reprogram gene expression to enable cellular adaptation under prolonged and severe stress conditions. Recent research has revealed that microRNAs present in consumed foods can directly modulate the expression of endogenous genes, highlighting their poten- tial role in disease regulation and prevention.

Conclusion: In addition to food components such as fat, sugar, protein, and vitamins, the microRNAs present in foods may also influence obesity and obesity-related diseases by directly or indirectly affecting metabolism. However, further studies are needed to better understand and validate their role in these processes.