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 changes in bone mineral density (0.06 g/cm2, 95 % CI, 0.01-0.12 g/cm2, P = 0.030) were observed among participants in the PD group but no significant effects in its associated outcomes of β-crosslaps and P1NP. Sex-specific effects of β-crosslaps were suggested among females with higher concentrations in the PD group than the AD group observed. CONCLUSION: While the fortification of certain micronutrients like folate and vitamin B12 may improve the nutritional status, calcium and iron supplementation did not translate to observable changes in circulating micronutrient status. Future PBMA development must prioritize bioavailability and physiological factors such as digestion, absorption, bioavailability and utilization to truly achieve both human health and environmental sustainability goals. The trial is registered at www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov, Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT05446753, in June 2022.