Legume proteins have been recognized to have a nutritional role far beyond that providing essential amino acids.
Besides small peptides, also partially digested proteins of different length and even intact proteins may play
important physiological and health-promoting effects, notably protection of cardiovascular health, reduction of
inflammation and cancer risk, weight control, and increased insulin sensitivity. Chance of modulating these
effects through control of protein structure is the challenge of future research. In particular, a deep understanding
of how protein structure impacts the release of bioactive sequences, as well as of structural modification
occurring during technological processing and gastrointestinal digestion will drive novel strategies aimed at
the improvement of nutraceutical potential of protein-rich plant foods. Major current knowledge about
relationship between protein structural features and bioactivity of specific seed components, will be presented
here. Structural elements relevant for biochemical, immunological and pharmaceutical activity ofwhole proteins
and peptides fromlegumes, in comparison with those from other plant foods,will be pointed out and discussed.