Development of Innovative Functional Meat Analogues Using Alternative Sources of Plant Proteins and Novel Technologies

The nutritional value and health effects of red meat and processed meat products (e.g., cold cuts, sausages, burgers) remain the object of intense research and scientific controversy in the fields of Nutrition and Food Science. Red meat is a rich source of macronutrients (e.g., proteins of high biological value) and several micronutrients (e.g., iron), and a food group particularly appealing to consumers. However, in recent years there has been an increase in the total consumption of red meat and processed meat products in developed countries, which has been associated with both increased risk of chronic diseases (e.g., cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes mellitus, various types of cancer and autoimmune diseases) and increased total mortality. The aggravating effect of red meat consumption on health is likely attributed to its increased content of saturated fatty acids, which have been associated with the occurrence of insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and disturbances in the intestinal microbiota, as well as other components produced during its processing (e.g., oxidized forms of fat, heterocyclic amines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), which can trigger mechanisms of inflammation, oxidative stress and carcinogenesis, and further contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiometabolic and neoplastic diseases. Based on the available research data, scientific associations and health organizations at the local and international level recommend limiting the consumption of red meat and meat products and replacing them with products of plant origin in the context of adopting a balanced health-promoting diet and reducing the risk of chronic cardiometabolic disorders in the general population.

Burger is one of the most popular meat products and its consumption has increased rapidly in recent years due to the expansion of fast-food restaurants, its wide availability and its low price. However, due to its high content in animal fat, which is mostly saturated, its nutritional value and the safety of its long-term high consumption have been questioned. The wide acceptance of burger by the general population, combined with the perception that it is a "burdensome" food for health, makes it an ideal subject for interventions aiming at modifying its nutritional value without simultaneously degrading its organoleptic characteristics and increasing its cost. Such an approach could be applied to the meat industry in order to develop innovative, functional meat analogues of high nutritional value, which could also find acceptance by meat-eating populations. The challenges in this direction are many, such as the reduction of lipids and/or the replacement of saturated fatty acids with other health-beneficial lipids without degrading the texture and taste of the product, and the replacement of animal proteins with plant proteins. Until now, the majority of commercially available meat analogs are made from soy protein or gluten. However, protein products have also been developed from other raw materials, including vegetables and legumes (e.g., peas and chickpeas). In addition, protein products from fungi and bacteria are available, which are suitable for reproducing the taste and texture of meat. Regarding fat, various ingredients have also been explored as substitutes for animal fat, such as dietary fiber and vegetable oils.

The aim of the present study is to explore the potential cardio-protective effects of an innovative burger of high nutritional and organoleptic value (vegan burger), developed through the substitution of animal proteins and lipids with plant-based constituents using innovative technologies, compared to a conventional burger, in apparently healthy subjects.

The study will be a randomized, cross-over, double blind clinical trial. The study sample will consist of 15 apparently healthy subjects aged 30-60 years, with a body mass index of ≥25 kg/m2 and a habitual red meat consumption of ≥3 times/week. Candidates will be excluded from the study on the basis of the following: i) presence of chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, active cancer, cardiovascular, liver kidney, respiratory, gastrointestinal, chronic inflammatory and psychiatric diseases; ii) use of certain types of medication, i.e., immunosuppressants, anti-inflammatory drugs and cortisol, and dietary supplements, i.e., protein, amino acids, fatty acids, dietary fiber, probiotics and prebiotics (other prescribed medications and micronutrient supplements will be allowed, provided that their reception will remain stable throughout the trial); iii) habitual excessive consumption of alcohol (>210 g and >140 g of ethanol per week for men and women, respectively), iv) currently being on a restrictive diet (e.g., weight loss or vegetarian diet) or any significant recent change (within 6 months) in lifestyle habits, and v) pregnancy and breastfeeding for women.

Participants will be randomized to consume 2 servings per week of either a conventional burger or a vegan burger (serving size: 150 g of raw product corresponding to 120 g of cooked product) for 4 weeks, with a 2-week wash-out period between the two interventions. Randomization will be performed by a researcher with no clinical involvement in the study and will be blind to all members of the research team.