Algae as a source of bioactive compounds to prevent the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a complicated metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance. It is considered a new pandemic and its control involves numerous challenges. Although many of the measures are based on improving life habits, diet is also of vital importance due to bioactive compounds present in food. In this regard, several raw materials have been investigated whose bioactivities seem to slow the progression of this disease. Within these matrices, there are algae of importance, such as brown algae, showing to have beneficial effects on glycemic control. These pieces of evidence are increasing every day due to the development of cell or animal models, which lead to the conclusion that bioactive compounds may have direct effects on decreasing hyperglycemia, enhancing insulin secretion and preventing the formation of amyloid plaques.Serbian co-authors thank the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia for the support within the contracts for the realization and financing of scientific research work in 2021 ; financial support from Programa de Cooperación Interreg V-A España—Portugal (POCTEP) 2014–2020; MICINN supporting the Ramón&Cajal grant for M.A. Prieto; to Xunta de Galicia and University of Vigo supporting the pre-doctoral grants for A.G. Pereira, and P. García-Oliveira; to Ibero-American Program on Science and Technology for financial support. This project has received funding from the Bio Based Industries Joint Undertaking (JU); the JU receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program and the Bio Based Industries Consortium.