Antihypertensive Peptides from Animal Proteins

Hypertension is considered a major health problem throughout the world among adults, adolescents, as well as children and several preventive and therapeutic interventions are available. In addition to the pharmaceutical drugs and lifestyle changes, significant milestones have been achieved in the past decades in the identification of bioactive peptides from animal proteins with useful antihypertensive activities. The antihypertensive properties of these peptides are attributed to several mechanisms ranging from mineral-binding, opioid-like and antithrombotic properties to inhibition of ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme). ACE-inhibitory peptides are the most widely studied bioactive peptides with promising potential in hypertension management. In addition to milk and dairy products, which are the major sources of antihypertensive peptides, a remarkable increase has been observed in the documentation of peptides from other animal proteins, such as meat, with demonstrated in vitro and in vivo antihypertensive properties. Numerous opportunities exist in the global market for the development of novel food products and additives based on these antihypertensive peptides for the dietary management of hypertension. This chapter reviews the antihypertensive peptides derived from meat proteins and examines their possible role as a functional ingredient in foods for the management of hypertension.