Bioactive milk peptides and blood pressure

Abstract

We have shown in several clinical trials that the milk protein-derived bioactive peptides isoleucine-proline-proline (IPP) and valine-proline-proline (VPP) lower blood pressure, but a critical meta-analysis had yet to be conducted based on these studies. A total of five randomized controlled clinical trials with 295 voluntary subjects were included in the metaanalysis. The overall effect in the meta-analysis was a -4.0 mmHg (95 percent CI:-5.9 to -2.1, p<0.001] reduction in systolic blood pressure and -2.1 mmHg (95 percent CI:-3.4 to -0.8, p=0.002) reduction in diastolic blood pressure. The meta-analysis confirms that Lactobacillus helveticus fermented milk containing IPP and VPP tripeptides reduces blood pressure in hypertensive subjects. Functional foods containing bioactive milk peptides can be useful as part of dietary treatment and prevention of hypertension.