Abstract: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have emerged as a critical global public health challenge, with their pathological progression being closely linked to oxidative stress in cardiovascular cells. Although pharmacological interventions exhibit efficacy in CVD management, most of them have adverse effects. In recent years, bioactive peptides derived from dietary proteins have gained significant attention due to their potent antioxidant properties and excellent safety profiles, positioning them as promising food-derived functional agents for preventing and ameliorating CVDs. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in the development of food-derived antioxidant peptides, encompassing their production strategies, structure-activity relationships, absorption and metabolism. Particular emphasis is placed on their effects and mechanisms of action in improving cardiovascular health, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for advancing research on CVD interventions and fostering innovation in peptide-based functional food products.

Key words: antioxidant peptides; cardiovascular health; structure-activity relationship; absorption and metabolism; mechanism of action