This new book deals with recent advanced research on natural products and health-promoting foods that work to reduce the risk of diseases while enhancing overall well-being. Plant-based functional foods are known to contain compounds (also referred to as phytochemicals) in the leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits of certain plants. These plant products are drawing the attention of researchers because of their demonstrated beneficial effects against disease, particularly diabetes, hypertension, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, among others. The medicinal and nutritional use of plant secondary metabolites is a hot topic and has been receiving extensive attention from both health professionals and the public. This book presents new information on the extraction of bioactive compounds from plants, plant-based drugs, and the innovative use of plant-based drugs for human health.

Megh R. Goyal, PhD, PE, is a Retired Professor in Agricultural and Biomedical Engineering from the General Engineering Department in the College of Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico–Mayaguez Campus. He has received many awards and honors and was also proclaimed as the "Father of Irrigation Engineering in Puerto Rico for the twentieth century" by the ASABE, Puerto Rico Section, for his pioneering work. A prolific author and editor, he has written more than 200 journal articles and several textbooks and has edited over 60 books.

P. P. Joy, PhD, is an eminent researcher and Professor of Agronomy and Head of the Pineapple Research Station, Kerala Agricultural University, Vazhakulam, Kerala, India. With 32 years of service in agricultural research and development, teaching, and extension work, he has led and participated in many research projects of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, All India Coordinated Research Projects, Kerala Agricultural University, Kerala State Council for Science, Technology & Environment, among others.

Hafiz Ansar Rasul Suleria, PhD, is the McKenzie Fellow at the Department of Agriculture and Food Systems, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Recently, he has completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Department of Food, Nutrition, Dietetic and Health at Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA. He is an Honorary Fellow in the Diamantina Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Australia. The recipient of several awards and scholarships, Dr. Suleria has published more than 60 peer-reviewed scientific papers.