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Health-related functional value of dairy proteins and peptides

Abstract:

In this chapter, the health benefits of milk proteins have been reviewed with regard to in vivo studies in different physiological systems. First, effects on disorders related to the metabolic syndrome, that is, hypertension, obesity, type-2 diabetes mellitus, and hypercholesterolemia have been tackled. Different levels of evidence are found, the effect of milk proteins as antihypertensive effects being studied to a higher extent. The effect of dairy proteins and peptides on intestinal epithelium has been considered from the point of view of nutrient absorption and their beneficial role on the intestinal mucosa through the interaction with opioid receptors located at the epithelium, as well as the protection of the intestinal mucosa and antiinflammatory activity. Other beneficial effects from dairy proteins and peptides supported by in vivo data, such as, the antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, relaxing, and antinociceptive (reducing sensitivity to painful stimuli) were also considered. Finally, several future challenges regarding the research on functional proteins and peptides are also appointed.