Bioactive Compounds Derived From Natural Foods Against Metabolic Syndrome and the Advances of Resveratrol and Caffeic Acid in Microbial Cell Factory Production: A Review

ABSTRACT Metabolic syndrome (MetS), characterized by a cluster of interrelated risk factors including abdominal obesity, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and hypertension, represents a significant global health challenge. Its high prevalence and intricate pathogenesis require a multi‐approach for its prevention and management. In recent years, a burgeoning interest has emerged in investigating bioactive compounds derived from natural food sources as prospective therapeutic agents against MetS or pre‐MetS. This review provides a thorough examination of the current state of knowledge concerning the etiology, health implications, and health benefits of bioactive compounds from dietary sources against individual MetS components. Additionally, this review offers insights into the evolving role of microbial cell factories as efficient platforms for environmentally friendly production of these compounds using sustainable substrates, with two noteworthy industrial cases of resveratrol and caffeic acid as exemplification. The systematic analysis presented herein not only illuminates the potential of natural food‐derived bioactive compounds in addressing MetS but also underscores the pivotal role of microbial cell factories in their production.