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Postprandial Effects of Animal Versus Plant-Based Protein

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Overweight or Obesity
Interventions
Other: High-fat meal containing Beyond Meat
Other: High-fat meal containing beef
Registration Number
NCT06445296
Lead Sponsor
Ball State University
Brief Summary

Shifting away from diets high in animal products towards more plant predominant diets is recommended by many health organizations to both reduce the negative environmental impacts of animal agriculture and to improve health outcomes. As a result, a number of plant-based meat alternatives such as Beyond Meat have been formulated to promote increased plant consumption. However, evidence is limited on the impact of newer plant-based meat alternatives on common cardiometabolic risk factors. The investigators aim to compare the acute metabolic, gastrointestinal, and inflammatory effects of a plant-based meat alternative (i.e., Beyond Meat) versus a comparable beef product within the context of high-fat, "Western-style" meal (i.e., eggs, meat, refined bread product). The investigators will also examine whether these responses differ based on whether individuals have a normal-weight or have overweight/obesity.

Detailed Description

The investigators will recruit individuals with a BMI in the normal (18.5-24.9 kg/m2) or overweight/ obesity (\>25.0 kg/m2) ranges from the Ball State University campus and surrounding communities. Each participant will complete two meal trials in a randomized crossover design. At each meal trial, a intravenous catheter will be inserted and baseline blood sample collected. Next, participants will consume a high-fat, Western style meal consisting of eggs cooked in butter, a croissant and either 4 oz of 80% ground beef or 4 oz of Beyond Meat ("Cookout Classic" variety). The Beyond Meat and beef products have nearly identical macronutrient profiles, allowing for examination of the unique properties of the two protein sources. Regardless of primary protein source (beef or Beyond Meat), each meal will contain 980 calories (60g fat). Following completion of each meal, blood samples will also be collected 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-hours. The investigators will measure metabolic markers (i.e., triglycerides, glucose, HDL-C) immediately upon sample collection using the Piccolo Xpress clinical chemistry analyzer. Additional blood will be collected and stored as serum in order to measure indicators of inflammation (e.g., IL-6) and intestinal permeability (e.g., lipopolysaccharide binding protein) using commercially available ELISAs.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
30
Inclusion Criteria
  • 18 - 50 years.
  • Body mass index > 18.5 kg/m2
  • Not pregnant (females only)
  • Not postmenopausal (females only).
  • Not been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease.
  • Not been diagnosed with a cardiometabolic conditions (e.g., type 2 diabetes)
  • Not been diagnosed with a chronic inflammatory condition (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease).
  • Does not regularly take anti-inflammatory drugs (more than 2x week).
  • Does not use glucose-lowering drugs (e.g., metformin)
  • Does not use lipid-lowering drugs (e.g., statins)
  • Does not use tobacco products or any illicit drugs.
  • Does not have a pacemaker.
  • Can consume pea products (Beyond Meat is made from pea protein).
Exclusion Criteria
  • Not between the ages of 18-50
  • Body mass index < 18.5 kg/m2
  • Pregnant (females only)
  • Postmenopausal status (females only).
  • Been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease.
  • Been diagnosed with a cardiometabolic conditions (e.g., type 2 diabetes)
  • Been diagnosed with a chronic inflammatory condition (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease).
  • Regularly take anti-inflammatory drugs (more than 2x week).
  • Uses glucose-lowering drugs (e.g., metformin)
  • Uses lipid-lowering drugs (e.g., statins)
  • Uses tobacco products or any illicit drugs.
  • Have a pacemaker.
  • Allergic to pea products (Beyond Meat is made from pea protein).

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Meal Consumption with Beyond MeatHigh-fat meal containing Beyond MeatDuring the Beyond Meat arm, participants will consume a high-fat meal containing Beyond Meat (rather than beef). Meals will be otherwise identical.
Meal Consumption with BeefHigh-fat meal containing beefDuring the Beef arm, participants will consume a high-fat meal containing beef (rather than Beyond Meat). Meals will be otherwise identical.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Serum lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP)Through study completion, up to 1 year.

The investigators will measure serum LBP at baseline and 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-hours after each meal containing either beef or Beyond Meat. Serum will be banked from each visit and this measurement will take place upon study completion.

Serum lipopolysaccharideThrough study completion, up to 1 year.

The investigators will measure serum lipopolysaccharide at baseline and 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-hours after each meal containing either beef or Beyond Meat. Serum will be banked from each visit and this measurement will take place upon study completion.

Serum interleukin (IL)-6Through study completion, up to 1 year.

The investigators will measure serum IL-6 at baseline and 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-hours after each meal containing either beef or Beyond Meat. Serum will be banked from each visit and this measurement will take place upon study completion.

Serum soluble CD14 (sCD14)Through study completion, up to 1 year.

The investigators will measure serum sCD14 at baseline and 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-hours after each meal containing either beef or Beyond Meat. Serum will be banked from each visit and this measurement will take place upon study completion.

Serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alphaThrough study completion, up to 1 year.

The investigators will measure serum (TNF)-alpha at baseline and 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-hours after each meal containing either beef or Beyond Meat. Serum will be banked from each visit and this measurement will take place upon study completion.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
HDL-CThrough study completion, up to 1 year.

The investigators will measure HDL-C at baseline and 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-hours after each meal containing either beef or Beyond Meat. These measurements will take place immediately and a complete dataset will be compiled upon study completion.

GlucoseThrough study completion, up to 1 year.

The investigators will measure glucose at baseline and 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-hours after each meal containing either beef or Beyond Meat. These measurements will take place immediately and a complete dataset will be compiled upon study completion.

TriglyceridesThrough study completion, up to 1 year.

The investigators will measure triglycerides at baseline and 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-hours after each meal containing either beef or Beyond Meat. These measurements will take place immediately and a complete dataset will be compiled upon study completion.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Health Professions Building, Ball State University

🇺🇸

Muncie, Indiana, United States

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