Legume-derived bioactive peptides: role in cardiovascular disease prevention and control

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a health problem worldwide. The use of peptides and protein hydrolysates derived from legumes to prevent and treat them has increased in recent years. In vitro and in vivo data support the efficacy of peptide interaction with markers associated with hypertension, endothelium dysfunction, and atherosclerosis. However, challenges such as misunderstanding their mechanism of action, safety, bioavailability, bitter taste, and cost-effective production limit their clinical and commercial translation. We analyzed and summarized recent findings related to legume-derived peptides and their mechanism of action associated with CVDs, including novel target markers associated with lipid metabolism, such as the inflammasome, angiopoietin-like protein 3, and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9.