Research progress on cereal-derived bioactive factors for improving muscle function and counteracting sarcopenia

Sarcopenia is an age-related syndrome characterized by progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength, and physical performance, closely associated with anabolic resistance, mitochondrial dysfunction, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, neuromuscular degeneration, and gut microbiota imbalance. Cereal grains and their by-products (e.g., bran, germ, and whole grains) are rich sources of bioactive components, including dietary fiber, polysaccharides, proteins, peptides, and polyphenols, which represent promising functional food resources for improving muscle health. This review systematically summarizes the structural characteristics, processing-induced transformations, and mechanisms by which cereal-derived functional factors may improve muscle health. Key bioactive components such as proteins, peptides, and polyphenols may enhance muscle function by activating mTORC1-mediated protein synthesis, suppressing the PI3K/Akt/FoxO ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, and modulating oxidative stress and inflammation via Nrf2/ARE and NF-κB signaling. Cereal polysaccharides (e.g., β-glucan, arabinoxylan, resistant starch) exert effects primarily through the gut microbiota-short-chain fatty acid axis, improving mitochondrial function, insulin sensitivity, intestinal barrier integrity, and systemic metabolic homeostasis. Although preclinical evidence is promising, human intervention studies remain limited. Future research should integrate mechanistic and clinical evidence to develop cereal-based functional foods for sarcopenia prevention and management.