Cereals have phytochemical compounds that can diminish the incidence of chronic diseases such as hypertension. The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) participates in the modulation of blood pressure and is the principal receptor of the virus SARS-CoV-2. The inhibitors of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and the block receptors of angiotensin II regulate the expression of ACE2; thus, they could be useful in the treatment of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. The inferior peptides from 1 to 3 kDa and the hydrophobic amino acids are the best candidates to inhibit ACE, and these compounds are present in rice, corn, wheat, oats, sorghum, and barley. In addition, the vitamins C and E, phenolic acids, and flavonoids present in cereals show a reduction in the oxidative stress involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension. The influence of ACE on hypertension and COVID-19 has turned into a primary point of control and treatment from the nutritional perspective. The objective of this work was to describe the inhibitory effect of the angiotensin-converting enzyme that the bioactive compounds present in cereals possess in order to lower blood pressure and how their consumption could be associated with reducing the virulence of COVID-19.
Keywords: COVID-19; cereals; diet therapy; drug therapy; hypertension; phytochemicals.