Micronutrient intake and status of adults consuming plant-based meat analogues or animal-based meats as primary protein source: An 8-week randomized controlled trial
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM
Plant-based meat analogues (PBMA) are rising in popularity, yet its nutritional efficacy remains unclear. This study examined the impact of protein-matched animal-based meat diets (AD) and PBMA diets (PD) on nutrient intake and biological micronutrient status among Singaporean adults.
METHODS
A parallel-design randomized controlled trial among 89 participants compared the substitution of habitual protein-rich foods with fixed quantities of either animal-based meats (n = 45) or their corresponding PBMA (n = 44) over 8 weeks. Cooked intervention foods were nutritionally profiled and assessed using the Nutrient Rich Food index. Micronutrients intake was examined by 3-day food records with corresponding blood biomarkers, as well as bone mineral density assessments by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). The primary outcomes are vitamin B12 and folate micronutrient intake and status.
RESULTS
Statistical comparisons by analysis of covariance with baseline data as a covariate revealed that dietary thiamine, folate, vitamin B6, sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium and iron intake in the PD group was significantly higher as compared to the AD group. A corresponding difference in biological status was observed at week 8 for plasma vitamin B12 (PD: 382.56 (19.38) pmol/L, AD: 357.76 (17.50) pmol/L, P = 0.004), folate (PD: 32.13 (2.34) nmol/L, AD: 23.62 (2.02) nmol/L, P = 0.003) and selenium (PD: 1.61 (0.03) μmol/L, AD: 1.57 (0.03) μmol/L, P = 0.006). Marginal…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 89 participants or records.
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