High-animal protein and high-plant protein meals differentially alter postprandial plasma amino acid concentrations but not glucose homeostasis in people with overweight/obesity in a randomized, crossover, single-meal study.
Alan Fappi, Vasavi Shabrish, Hunter Hollomon et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This randomized crossover trial examined the effects of high-animal protein (HAP) and high-plant protein (HPP) meals on postprandial plasma amino acid and glucose levels in individuals with overweight/obesity. Results showed that HAP meals led to greater increases in total essential and branched-chain amino acids compared to HPP meals, but both types of protein reduced plasma glucose levels similarly, indicating that protein type does not influence glucose homeostasis.
Key findings
- Postprandial total essential amino acids increased by 28% ± 3% after HAP compared to STD, and 19% ± 3% after HPP compared to STD.
- Both HAP and HPP meals resulted in lower plasma glucose levels compared to the STD meal, with reductions of -4.3% ± 2.1% and -5.2% ± 1.5%, respectively.
- HAP and HPP meals increased glucagon levels by 48% ± 12% and 44% ± 13%, respectively, compared to STD.
- The type of protein did not affect plasma glucoregulatory hormone concentrations.
Why it matters
Understanding how different protein sources affect amino acid profiles and glucose metabolism can inform dietary recommendations for individuals at risk of type 2 diabetes, particularly those with overweight or obesity.