Kiwifruit Peptides, Gastrointestinal Protection, and Oxidative Stress

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract represents the largest surface area of the human body and requires mechanisms of protection from the threats continuously introduced during ingestion that are also sources of oxidative stress. The GI mucosa has multiple defense mechanisms to protect itself from oxidative stress effect. Among the most important mechanisms, the innate immune system, the action of the antioxidants, autophagy, and the epithelial barrier with the mucin secretion have been extensively studied.