From starring in the Broadway play, “The Princess and the Pea,” to helping Gregor Mendel develop his laws of inheritance, the pea has a rich history. According to the ancient Scandinavian, or the Norse, legend, peas were sent to earth by the god of thunder, Thor, to be eaten only on Thursday; but no matter the appropriate day for the consumption or celebrity standing of this popular legume, the pea offers many nutritional advantages to a consumer. Not only do peas contain vitamins, iron, calcium, and potassium, but recent studies reveal that the garden pea may help fight high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Scientists from the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada, report that proteins found in common garden peas could be used as a natural food additive or a new dietary supplement and could relieve symptoms of CKD. Rotimi Aluko, Ph.D., discloses that this protein could help people suffering from kidney disease maintain normal levels of blood pressure, therefore lengthening their life span.

About 26 million Americans suffer from CKD. Although high blood pressure is a health risk for everyone, patients with CKD have died from cardiovascular complications that begin with high blood pressure associated with kidney malfunction. Considering the difficulty in treating this disease, scientists are searching for new methods of treatment that will preserve kidney function.

In his study, Aluko purified a mixture of small proteins, known as pea protein hydrolysate, from yellow garden peas. This purified protein was given to laboratory rats with polycystic kidneys, a severe form of CKD that causes growth of numerous cysts in the kidneys. After 8 weeks, a 20 percent drop in blood pressure was documented when compared to diseased rats on a normal diet. Polycystic kidney disease also causes a reduction in urine output and interferes with the kidneys’ ability to remove toxins from the body. Along with the reduction of blood pressure, the urine production in the treated rats increased by 30 percent.

With positive results from this study, researchers plan to test the protein extract in humans with mildly high blood pressure. For the protein to effectively lower a person’s blood pressure, enzymes must first activate the inactive form of the protein. Since yellow peas contain the inactive form of this protein, eating peas in their natural state will not have the same effect as the protein extract. If human studies display positive outcomes, the extract is expected to debut in the consumer market within two to three years.

Discussion Question: How might the use of this protein extract help doctors trying to treat patients with CKD and/or high blood pressure? What are some of the benefits, other than health related, that might help the consumer?

Link to Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090322154407.htm

Link to Abstract: http://www.atypon-link.com/AOAC/doi/abs/10.5555/jaoi.91.4.947