An overview of the biological activities of whey proteins and peptides

Whey proteins and their associated peptides in addition to their nutritional and functional attributes possess immense potential as functional and nutraceutical food ingredients owing to their biological activities. These encompass their antioxidant, chelation, antihypersensitive, anticarcinogenic, hypolipidemic, immune system stimuli-tion, ACE inhibition, antiviral and antibacterial activities. An upsurge in the research activities associated with the investigation of the bioactivity and further corroboration of proven bioactivities of whey proteins and peptides has been evidenced by the scientific community in recent times. Further, the data from clinical studies has already set the pace for use of whey proteins and their associated peptides as functional food ingredients/ nutraceuticals. The current chapter provides an overview of the developments with respect to the potentially beneficial human health effects of whey proteins and their peptides. The therapeutic benefits stemming out of the biological activities have also been emphasised with a discussion of the supportive clinical trials.