Imidazole dipeptides have been been linked to beneficial effects such as relieving fatigue and, with far less credibility, preventing dementia, and a new study has found that 2-oxo-imidazole-containing dipeptides (2-oxo-IDPs), which have one more oxygen atom than normal imidazole dipeptides, are the most common variety of imidazole dipeptides derivatives in the body.

Since the correlation, and it is only correlation, not science, is that these antioxidants are why some people live better lives it is an interesting find. The researchers established a method for selective and highly sensitive detection of five types of 2-oxo imidazole dipeptides using mass spectrometry, which enables quantitative detection of trace 2-oxo imidazole dipeptides in living organisms. Using this method, they revealed for the first time that beef, pork, chicken, and other meats contain antioxidants, not only imidazole dipeptides  but a variety of different 2-oxo imidazole dipeptides.

The researchers also found that they have remarkably high antioxidant activity.

“We hope that this research method, which enables advanced analysis of 2-oxo-IDPs, will be applied not only to basic biology but also to medicine, agriculture, and pharmacy, where it will help improve peoples’ health and prevent diseases,” says Professor Hideshi Ihara from the Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Science.