Although animal protein is usually considered to be a more potent stimulator of muscle protein synthesis than plant protein, the effect of protein source on lean mass and muscle strength needs to be systematically reviewed. This study aimed to examine potential differences in the effect of animal vs. plant protein on lean mass and muscle strength, and the possible influence of resistance exercise training (RET) and age. The following databases were searched: PubMed, Embase, Scopus and CINAHL Plus with Full Text, and 3081 articles were screened. A total of 18 articles were selected for systematic review, of which, 16 were used for meta-analysis. Total protein intakes were generally above the recommended dietary allowance at the baseline and end of intervention. Results from the meta-analyses demonstrated that protein source did not affect changes in absolute lean mass or muscle strength. However, there was a favoring effect of animal protein on percent lean mass. RET had no influence on the results, while younger adults (<50 years) were found to gain absolute and percent lean mass with animal protein intake (weighted mean difference (WMD), 0.41 kg; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.08 to 0.74; WMD 0.50%; 95% CI 0.00 to 1.01). Collectively, animal protein tends to be more beneficial for lean mass than plant protein, especially in younger adults.

With the growing popularity of plant-based meat analogues (PBMAs), an examination of their effects on health is warranted in an Asian population. This research investigated the impact of consuming an omnivorous animal-based meat diet (ABMD) compared to a PBMAs diet (PBMD) on cardiometabolic health among adults with elevated risk of diabetes in Singapore. In an 8-week parallel design randomized controlled trial, participants (n=89) were instructed to substitute habitual protein-rich foods with fixed quantities of either PBMAs (n=44) or their corresponding animal-based meats (n=45; 2.5 servings daily) maintaining intake of other dietary components. LDL-cholesterol served as primary outcome, while secondary outcomes included other cardiometabolic disease-related risk factors (e.g. glucose, fructosamine), dietary data, and within a sub-population, ambulatory blood pressure measurements (n=40) at baseline and post-intervention, as well as a 14-day continuous glucose monitor (glucose homeostasis-related outcomes; n=37). Data from 82 participants (ABMD:42, PBMD:40) were examined. Using linear mixed-effects model, there were significant interaction (time × treatment) effects for dietary trans-fat (increased in ABMD), dietary fiber, sodium and potassium (all increased in PBMD; P_Interaction<0.001). There were no significant effects on the lipoprotein profile, including LDL-cholesterol. Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was lower in the PBMD group (P_Interaction=0.041) although the nocturnal DBP markedly increased in ABMD (+3.2% mean) and was reduced in PBMD (-2.6%; P_Interaction=0.017). Fructosamine (P_Time=0.035) and homeostatic model assessment for β-cell function were improved at week 8 (P_Time=0.006) in both groups. Glycemic homeostasis was better regulated in the ABMD than PBMD groups as evidenced by interstitial glucose time in range (ABMD median: 94.1% (Q₁:87.2%, Q₃:96.7%); PBMD: 86.5% (81.7%, 89.4%); P=0.041). The intervention had no significant effect on the other outcomes examined. A plant-based meat analogues diet did not show widespread cardiometabolic health benefits compared with omnivorous diets over 8 weeks. The composition of PBMAs may need to be considered in future trials. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05446753.

The consumption of wolfberry (Lycium barbarum), a rich source of carotenoids and bioactive polysaccharides, may serve as a potential dietary strategy for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk management although limited studies examined its effects as whole fruits. To investigate the impact of wolfberry consumption as part of a healthy dietary pattern on vascular health-related outcomes and classical CVD risk factors in middle-aged and older adults in Singapore. This is a 16-week, parallel design, randomized controlled trial. All participants (n = 40) received dietary counselling to follow healthy dietary pattern recommendations with the wolfberry group given additional instructions to cook and consume 15 g/d whole, dried wolfberry with their main meals. Biomarkers of vascular function (flow-mediated dilation, plasma total nitrate/nitrite, endothelin-1, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1), vascular structure (carotid intima-media thickness) and vascular regeneration (endothelial progenitor cell count, plasma angiopoietin 1 and angiopoietin 2), were assessed at baseline and postintervention. Serum lipid−lipoproteins and blood pressure were evaluated every 4 weeks. All participants showed an improved compliance toward the healthy dietary pattern. This was coupled with marked rises in total nitrate/nitrite concentrations (mean change wolfberry: 3.92 ± 1.73 nmol/mL; control: 5.01 ± 2.55 nmol/L) and reductions in endothelin-1 concentrations (wolfberry: -0.19 ± 0.06 pg/mL; control: -0.15 ± 0.08 pg/mL). Compared with the control which depicted no changes from baseline, the wolfberry group had a significantly higher HDL cholesterol (0.08 ± 0.04 mmol/L), as well as lower Framingham predicted long-term CVD risk (-0.8 ± 0.5%) and vascular age (-1.9 ± 1.0 y) postintervention. No differences were observed in the other vascular health-related outcomes. In middle-aged and older adults, adherence to a healthy dietary pattern improves vascular tone. Incorporating wolfberry to the diet further improves blood lipid−lipoprotein profile and may lower long-term CVD risk. This study was registered at clinicatrials.gov as NCT03535844.