Revisiting the mechanisms of ACE inhibitory peptides from food proteins

Apart from classic ACE inhibition, emerging evidence suggests that food peptides can exert antihypertensive activity through upregulation of ACE2 (an ACE homologue that counterbalances the detrimental effect of elevated ACE), improvement of endothelial function, as well as reduced vascular oxidation and inflammation. Future research is expected to look into the effects of bioaccessibility, bioavailability, stability and reactivity of the peptides with food and gut matrices, as well as the gut microbiota, on blood pressure reduction.