Diet Bioactive Compounds: Implications for Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in the Vascular System

Abstract

Background and objective: Increasing evidence has demonstrated that dietary products and their active components are independently or jointly responsible for the apparent reduction of the cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) risk.

Discussion: Nowadays, there is a growing attention in the use of nutraceuticals as a new approach for the prevention and management of many diseases, as well as for controlling rising of chronic illnesses with minimal side effects. Food-derived peptides, as well as peptide-rich protein hydrolysates, represent new and valuable tools for the prevention of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, acting as modulators of oxidative stress, inflammation, and overactivity of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS).

Conclusion: This review summarizes the recently published data on antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and vascular protective properties of nutraceuticals, notably on the effects of food-derived bioactive peptides and protein hydrolysates, paying particular attention to those derived from fermented foods.

Keywords: Cardiovascular diseases; RAS; bioactive peptides; endothelial dysfunction; fermented foods; inflammation; oxidative stress.