Potential role of milk bioactive peptides on the serotonergic system and the gut-brain axis

Dairy-derived bioactive components have health-promoting effects due to their large number of biological properties. Although the physiological significance of several of these substances is not yet fully understood, both proteins and bioactive peptides are now believed to be health-enhancing components. Serotonin is a key signalling neurotransmitter for the gut‒brain axis that controls a wide range of physiological functions, highlighting its regulation of neurobiological and intestinal physiology. Here, we discuss the roles and pathways whereby these milk-derived bioactive peptides could modulate serotonergic functions as they are an emerging and potential therapeutic adjuvant for the dietary modulation of gut‒brain axis disorders mediated by serotonin.