The Modulatory Function of Natural Bioactive Compounds in Foodborne Hazard-Induced Immune Imbalance

Foodborne hazards, including pesticide residues, heavy metals, thermal processing by-products, packaging migrants, microplastics, and microbial toxins, pose significant risks to immune system integrity through oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and immune cell dysfunction. This review provides the immunotoxic mechanisms of these dietary contaminants, exemplified by atrazine-induced suppression of natural killer (NK) cell activity, cadmium-triggered apoptosis, acrylamide-mediated macrophage polarization, and microplastic-driven metabolic disruption. Conversely, natural products including polyphenols, polysaccharides, trace elements, vitamins, alkaloids and terpenoids, demonstrate effective immunomodulatory effects via antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolism regulation. Despite these advances, challenges persist in understanding synergistic interactions of compound mixtures, optimizing bioavailability, and establishing longitudinal safety assessments. Future research should focus on these points to translate these findings into practical dietary and therapeutic strategies.