A balanced diet is essential in obesity control. Fruits stand out for the presence of various bioactive compounds, which represent promising tools in the prevention and treatment of various pathologies. In obesity, fruits phytochemicals present are related to different important mechanisms of action, such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. This narrative review aims to understand the main physiological alterations of obesity and the effects of bioactive compounds in fruits on them, identifying the best-known substances and their likely mechanisms of action on the main biomarkers. The research was carried out in the Google Scholar, Scielo, Pubmed and Science Direct databases, considering reviews published since 2015 and experimental studies since 2010. Inflammatory cytokines and adipokines are considered primary biomarkers of obesity, and are currently also considered the insulin resistance, lower glucose tolerance, oxidative stress, gut microbiota, nutrients and microRNAs. Three groups of fruits stood out for their effects: Citrus fruits, berries and tropical fruits, sources mainly of flavonoids, anthocyanins and carotenoids. Experimental results indicate that fruits and their compounds can help in the prevention and treatment of obesity through the regulation of inflammatory cytokines and adipokines involved in the mechanisms of this disease, as well as antioxidant properties and modulation of lipogenesis. More clinical studies are needed to understand the biochemical mechanisms involved, in order to favor not only the production of specific supplements but also the best clinical dietary prescription.

Brazil has great biodiversity, and the Amazon biome stands out for a variety of native fruits with high economic and nutritional potential. Murici (Byrsonima crassifolia) and taperebá (Spondias mombin) are sources of vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals with potential health benefits. Because of the bioactive potential of these Brazilian fruits, this review aims to gather the most current existing knowledge about their botanical, nutritional, and phytochemical properties, because the presence of several bioactive compounds may bring promising strategies to the prevention and treatment of several diseases. The search was conducted of the LILACS, MEDLINE, PubMed, and Science Direct databases, considering articles published between 2010 and 2023. The compiled results showed that these fruits, their leaves, and seeds have great antioxidant activity and are a good source of phytochemicals, especially phenolic compounds. In vitro and in vivo studies indicate that these bioactive compounds have several health benefits related to the prevention or treatment of diseases, including antioxidant effects; anti-inflammatory effects; and antidiabetic, antidepressant, neuroprotective, antiproliferative, anticancer, hypolipemic, cardioprotective, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, and nephroprotective effects, and they are particularly related to the reduction of damage from oxidative stress. This review highlights the potential of these fruits as functional foods and for therapeutic purposes. However, it is recommended to conduct more studies on the identification and quantification of phytochemicals present in these fruits and studies in humans to better understand the mechanisms of action related to their effects and to understand the interaction of these compounds with the human body, as well as to prove the safety and efficacy of these compounds on health.