Time : 2025-11-10
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Feng Lu1,2,3, Chengfeng Yang4, Hao Yang1,2,3,5, Pan Wang1,2,3, Wenting Zhao1,2,3, Peiyou Qin1,2,3, Yuanyuan Li6, Ye Liu7*, Dan Wang1,2,3*, Xiaoyan Zhao1,2,3*
1Institute of Agri-food Processing and Nutrition, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
2Beijing Key Laboratory of Fruits and Vegetable Storage and Processing, Beijing 100097, China
3Key Laboratory of Vegetable Postharvest Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100097, China
4Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, 100193 Beijing, China
5Key Laboratory of Geriatric Nutrition and Health (Beijing Technology and Business University), Ministry of Education, Beijing 100048, China
6Academy of Agricultural Planning and Engineering, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100125, China
7School of Food and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, No. 11, Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100048, China
*, Corresponding author: liuye@th.btbu.edu.cn,wangdan@iapn.org.cn, zhaoxiaoyan@iapn.org.cn
ABSTRACT
The initial 1,000 days of life represent a critical window for determining long-term health. Nutrition in early life has a significant impact on developmental programming of metabolism, immunity, and gut microbiota, with long-term implications for chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. This review compiles evidence for the role of plant-derived bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, polysaccharides, oligosaccharides, genistein, carotenoids, and chlorophyll, in early-life nutritional programming. It describes how these phytochemicals influence epigenetic control, gut microbiota colonization, and physiological development. Preclinical and clinical findings are summarized to assess their potential inclusion in infant nutrition. Early supplementation with specific phytochemicals maintains intestinal barrier function, balances gut microbiota, and supports immune and metabolic resilience. Polyphenols, oligosaccharides and polysaccharides improve beneficial microbial populations, and genistein has epigenetic regulatory activity. Carotenoids support neurodevelopment and antioxidant defense. These compounds, when administered during critical window of development, can reprogram disease susceptibility into adulthood. Although showing promise in preclinical results, human data to date are scarce, and translational issues like dosage optimization, safety, and formulation need to be resolved. The research recommends the incorporation of phytochemicals into complementary infant foods as a preventive measure against chronic diseases in adulthood, advocating for a paradigm shift towards bioactive-enhanced early-life nutrition.
Keywords: Early life; Lifelong health; Nutritional blueprint; Phytochemical.
Figure1: Early-life oligosaccharide supplementation influence adult life health.
Figure2: Early-Life genistein supplementation: long-term epigenetic and metabolic benefits.
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