Metabolic Fate and Bioavailability of Food-Derived Peptides: Are Normal Peptides Passed through the Intestinal Layer To Exert Biological Effects via Proposed Mechanisms?

Previous studies have demonstrated that the oral administration of food-derived peptides exerts beneficial effects on human health beyond conventional nutritional functions. In vitro studies have suggested potential mechanisms and active peptides. However, the levels of most food-derived peptides in the body are far lower than the concentrations used in the in vitro assays, with some exceptions. These facts suggest that food-derived peptides might be metabolized into active compounds or function via different mechanisms than the proposed mechanisms. This work briefly discusses the perspectives related to the metabolites of the food-derived peptides in the body.