Bioactive Food Peptides
Peptides released from food proteins, best tested as the milk tripeptides VPP and IPP for blood pressure
Digesting milk, fish, meat and plant proteins releases short peptides, some with drug-like actions. The best studied are VPP and IPP, two milk tripeptides that inhibit the blood-pressure enzyme ACE. Meta-analyses of placebo-controlled trials find small reductions, about 1 to 4 mmHg, larger in Japanese than European studies and shrunk by publication bias.
What is it?
When proteins are digested or fermented, they break into fragments, and some fragments act on the body's own systems. The idea that food contains hidden pharmacology has been tested most thoroughly for two tripeptides from milk casein, valine-proline-proline (VPP) and isoleucine-proline-proline (IPP), which inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme, the same target as ACE-inhibitor blood-pressure drugs.
The trials give a consistent but modest answer. A 2011 meta-analysis of 18 placebo-controlled trials found systolic pressure fell by about 3.7 mmHg and diastolic by about 2 mmHg, with the effect clear in Asian participants (about 7 mmHg systolic) and not significant in Caucasian ones. A 2013 analysis of 14 European trials in 1,306 people found a systolic fall of only 1.3 mmHg.
The largest analysis, of 30 randomised trials in 2015, found reductions of about 3 mmHg systolic and 1.5 mmHg diastolic, larger in Japanese studies; but 24-hour ambulatory pressure, the more reliable measure, did not change significantly, and publication bias and small-study effects shifted the result towards a smaller benefit. A Japanese-focused meta-analysis was funded by a lactotripeptide manufacturer, which its authors disclosed.
Other food peptides, such as the beta-casomorphins from beta-casein, are studied mainly in cells and animals, including for effects on cancer cells and immunity. None of these peptides is a medicine. For high blood pressure, approved drugs have a far larger trial record behind them than lactotripeptides.
At a Glance
Every value in this table is printed from the Grey Peptides dataset, the same record the compound explorer and comparison tool read, so the three can never disagree.
Published Research
These studies were read from their PubMed abstracts on October 5, 2026.
30 trials of lactotripeptides
Across 30 randomised trials (33 data sets), systolic pressure fell 2.95 mmHg and diastolic 1.51 mmHg, more in Japanese than European studies; 24-hour ambulatory pressure did not change significantly, and publication bias and small-study effects moved the estimate towards a smaller effect.
18 trials, stronger in Asian participants
Pooled systolic reduction was 3.73 mmHg and diastolic 1.97 mmHg; in Asian participants systolic fell 6.93 mmHg, in Caucasian participants 1.17 mmHg, not significant.
European trials: a smaller effect
Fourteen trials with 15 data sets in 1,306 Europeans found systolic pressure fell 1.28 mmHg more with IPP/VPP than placebo, statistically significant though small, and not every trial was positive.
Japanese trials, industry-funded
A meta-analysis of Japanese studies found IPP/VPP significantly reduced office systolic pressure with or without hypertension; its authors disclosed payment from the lactotripeptide maker Calpis.
Beta-casomorphins in tumour biology
A review of beta-casomorphins, opioid-acting peptides from beta-casein digestion, summarising laboratory evidence that BCM-5 inhibits cancer cell growth and BCM-7 also affects anti-tumour immunity.
Side Effects & Contraindications
Reported Side Effects
From the trial reviews.
Contraindications & Cautions
These are foods and supplements, not labelled medicines.
Legal Status
Foods and supplements, not medicines.
Frequently Asked Questions
?Do milk peptides lower blood pressure?
Modestly. Meta-analyses of VPP and IPP trials find about 1 to 4 mmHg lower systolic pressure, more in Japanese than European studies, and no significant change in 24-hour readings.
?What are bioactive food peptides?
Short fragments released when food proteins are digested or fermented, some of which act on enzymes or receptors in the body.
?Can they replace blood-pressure medicine?
No. Their measured effect is small, and approved blood-pressure drugs have far stronger evidence.
References
- [pubmed] Fekete ÁA, et al. "Casein-derived lactotripeptides reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure in a meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials." Nutrients, 2015;7(1):659-81. PMID: 25608938.
- [pubmed] Cicero AF, et al. "Blood pressure lowering effect of lactotripeptides assumed as functional foods: a meta-analysis of current available clinical trials." J Hum Hypertens, 2011;25(7):425-36. PMID: 20811398.
- [pubmed] Cicero AF, et al. "Do the lactotripeptides isoleucine-proline-proline and valine-proline-proline reduce systolic blood pressure in European subjects? A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials." Am J Hypertens, 2013;26(3):442-9. PMID: 23382495.
- [pubmed] Chanson-Rolle A, et al. "Influence of the Lactotripeptides Isoleucine-Proline-Proline and Valine-Proline-Proline on Systolic Blood Pressure in Japanese Subjects: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials." PLoS One, 2015;10(11):e0142235. PMID: 26536628.
- [pubmed] Kamysz W, et al. "β-Casomorphins as opioid peptide modulators of tumor biology and immune signaling." Eur J Pharmacol, 2026;1030:179082. PMID: 42331274.
- [review] Korhonen H, Pihlanto A. "Bioactive peptides: production and functionality." Int Dairy J, 2006;16:945-960.
Sources & Citations
Studies from their PubMed abstracts, read October 5, 2026.
Medical Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, and nothing here is an instruction to obtain or use any compound. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before making health decisions.