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Review
. 2025 Aug 21;11(8):667.
doi: 10.3390/gels11080667.

Soft Gels in Food Systems: Recent Advances, Applications, and Technological Innovations

Manuela Machado  1 , Eduardo Manuel Aguiar da Costa  1 , Sara Silva  1
Affiliations
Review

Soft Gels in Food Systems: Recent Advances, Applications, and Technological Innovations

Manuela Machado et al. Gels. .

Abstract

Soft gels, such as hydrogels, organogels, aerogels, and bigels, represent versatile materials that are increasingly utilized within food systems to modify texture, regulate nutrient delivery, serve as fat substitutes, and enhance product shelf life. Their structural diversity and tunable properties enable targeted solutions for healthier, more sustainable, and consumer-centric products. This review provides a critical overview of recent advances in soft gel science, emphasizing industrial feasibility, regulatory compliance, and strategies to overcome commercialization barriers such as cost, scalability, and consumer acceptance. For each gel type, we compare functional performance with conventional structuring and encapsulation systems, highlighting cases where soft gels offer superior stability, bioactive protection, or caloric reduction. We also examine emerging applications, including gel-based frying media, 3D printing, and nano-enabled formulations, alongside potential risks related to long-term exposure and bioaccumulation. Regulatory frameworks across major jurisdictions are summarized, and sustainability considerations, from sourcing to life cycle impact, are discussed. By integrating technological innovation with safety, regulatory, and market perspectives, this review identifies key research priorities and practical pathways for translating soft gel technologies from laboratory concepts into commercially viable, health-driven food solutions.

Keywords: controlled release; food structuring; regulatory compliance; soft gels.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Overview of hydrogel production pathways. Created with Canva.com. (https://www.canva.com/) (accessed on 11 August 2025).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Simplified process for organogel formation. Created with Canva.com. (https://www.canva.com/) (accessed on 11 August 2025).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Schematic representation of hydrogel-to-aerogel conversion via freeze-drying. Created with Canva.com. https://www.canva.com/ (accessed on 11 August 2025).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Schematic representation of bigel production from oil and water phases. Created with Canva.com. https://www.canva.com/ (accessed on 11 August 2025).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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