Abstract
In recent years, there has been a growing scientific and clinical interest in nutraceuticals, bioactive compounds derived from natural sources such as plants, fruits and cereals. These substances have gained prominence due to their diverse pharmacological properties, particularly their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antitumor activities. In addition, scientific evidence supports their beneficial role in the prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases, which represent the principal focus of the present review. This review provides a comprehensive and detailed analysis of selected nutraceuticals related to the metabolic syndrome, a multifactorial pathological condition characterized by a cluster of metabolic disturbances that collectively increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The metabolic syndrome is typically defined by the presence of abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension and dyslipidemia, which includes elevated plasma triglyceride levels and decreased concentrations of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Given the global importance and prevalence of metabolic syndrome, identifying new strategies to treat these disorders, such as the use of nutraceuticals, has become a central focus of biomedical research.