Current Trends and Applications of Food-derived Antihypertensive Peptides for the Management of Cardiovascular Disease

Food-derived antihypertensive peptides are considered a natural supplement for controlling hypertension. Food protein serves as a macronutrient and acts as a raw material for the biosynthesis of physiologically active peptides. Food sources, like milk and milk products, animal proteins such as meat, chicken, fish, eggs, and plant-derived proteins from food products like soy, rice, wheat, mushroom, and pumpkins contain higher quantities of antihypertensive peptides. The food-derived antihypertensive peptides can suppress the action of renin and the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), which are mainly involved in the regulation of blood pressure by RAS. ACE inhibitory peptides enhance endothelial nitric oxide's biosynthesis, which increases nitric oxide production in vascular walls and encourages vasodilation. The peptides also inhibit the interaction between angiotensin II and its receptor, which helps reduce hypertension. This review explores the novel sources and applications of food-derived peptides for the management of hypertension.