Engineering strategies to modulate nutrient digestion kinetics and bioaccessibility of plant-based foods

Since plant-based raw materials present a relatively high level of nutrient encapsulation, processing is often essential to increase the susceptibility of nutrients to digestive compounds or to release nutrients from their natural entrapment to become available for digestion/absorption. Next to food processing, food (re)formulation is also a valuable strategy to steer nutrient digestive functionalities. These two food design strategies create a range of different food (micro)structures that are broken down along the gastrointestinal tract determining nutrients digestibility/bioaccessibility. Additionally, the role of digestion conditions on nutrient digestion/bioaccessibility cannot be ignored, paving the way for engineering strategies to develop food for specific target populations. [Display omitted] •Food microstructure is key to the digestive functionality of nutrients.•Food microstructure can be steered by processing.•Food (re)formulation is a valuable strategy to modulate nutrient release.•Food matrix effects cannot be ignored in food (digestion) design.•Digestion conditions play a significant role in food digestive functionality.