Health benefits of bioactive peptides that you should know

Author: Zac Ch’ng, Nutritionist

Protein is an essential of the human diet.  It is found in variety of foods such as eggs, dairy, seafood, legumes, meats, nuts, and seeds.  Regardless the source of protein, they are eventually broken down into peptides and amino acids in our digestive system.

In the past, it was believed that all proteins were digested to amino acids in order to be absorbed across the intestinal barrier. However, as nutritional science advances, it is now better understood that many peptides indeed cross the intestinal epithelium more effectively compared to amino acids.  Then, they enter the blood circulation to be used by other cells and tissues.

Recent scientific evidence also proves that these peptides not only serve as nutrients, but also regulate the physiological functions of the human body. These peptides are called bioactive peptides.

What is bioactive peptide?

Bioactive peptide is a chain of amino acids bound to one another by peptide bond, most of these peptides contain 2 to 20 amino acids. They are defined as peptide sequences that exert a beneficial effect on body functions and have positive effects on human health, beyond their known nutritional value.

Importance of bioactive peptide?

The oral use of bioactive peptides playing roles such as antihypertensive, antimicrobial, antithrombotic, immunomodulatory, antioxidant and etc.

Sources of peptides

A diverse array of plant and animal food proteins has been used for extracting bioactive peptides. For example, from animals (eggs, milk, meat), plants (soy, oat, wheat, flaxseed), marines (fish, squid, salmon).  Among these, plant peptide is widely chosen to be used in nutrition supplement as they are vegan diet, have no cholesterol, hypoallergenic, easy to be absorbed, generally considered as more ‘natural’, and show promising result in human health promotion and reduce risk of chronic diseases.

Soy, walnut, and rice peptides are very popular among plant peptides as having well-established studies to prove that they are beneficial to human health.   These peptides are now available in the market to provide immune protection and prevent the risks of various chronic diseases.