Delivery systems for betalains: from stabilization strategies to precision nutrition applications

Betalains are natural, water-soluble, nitrogen-containing pigments that have attracted widespread attention due to their potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and other beneficial physiological properties. However, their poor environmental stability and low bioavailability pose considerable challenges to their broader application in the food industry. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop effective strategies to protect betalains from degradation under environmental stressess while simultaneously enhancing their bioavailability to maximize their health benefits in nutrition intervention. This review focuses on the design and fabrication of various betalain-based delivery systems, including emulsions, liposomes, nanoparticles, microcapsules, and hydrogels. Additionally, it highlights the potential benefits of betalains-based delivery systems in precision nutrition, which include recognizing individual-specific signals to achieve targeted release and nutritional interventions for cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease. Finally, the future prospects and challenges of betalains-based delivery systems in the field of precision nutrition are discussed. In conclusion, these technological advancements enable targeted delivery to specific patient populations, thereby maximizing the therapeutic efficacy of betalains through precisely engineered delivery systems. This approach support tailored nutritional interventions for a variety of diseases and address the various requirements of precision nutrition for special populations.