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A metabolomics comparison of plant-based meat and grass-fed meat indicates large nutritional differences despite comparable Nutrition Facts panels.

Publication ,  Journal Article
van Vliet, S; Bain, JR; Muehlbauer, MJ; Provenza, FD; Kronberg, SL; Pieper, CF; Huffman, KM
Published in: Sci Rep
July 5, 2021

A new generation of plant-based meat alternatives-formulated to mimic the taste and nutritional composition of red meat-have attracted considerable consumer interest, research attention, and media coverage. This has raised questions of whether plant-based meat alternatives represent proper nutritional replacements to animal meat. The goal of our study was to use untargeted metabolomics to provide an in-depth comparison of the metabolite profiles a popular plant-based meat alternative (n = 18) and grass-fed ground beef (n = 18) matched for serving size (113 g) and fat content (14 g). Despite apparent similarities based on Nutrition Facts panels, our metabolomics analysis found that metabolite abundances between the plant-based meat alternative and grass-fed ground beef differed by 90% (171 out of 190 profiled metabolites; false discovery rate adjusted p < 0.05). Several metabolites were found either exclusively (22 metabolites) or in greater quantities in beef (51 metabolites) (all, p < 0.05). Nutrients such as docosahexaenoic acid (ω-3), niacinamide (vitamin B3), glucosamine, hydroxyproline and the anti-oxidants allantoin, anserine, cysteamine, spermine, and squalene were amongst those only found in beef. Several other metabolites were found exclusively (31 metabolites) or in greater quantities (67 metabolites) in the plant-based meat alternative (all, p < 0.05). Ascorbate (vitamin C), phytosterols, and several phenolic anti-oxidants such as loganin, sulfurol, syringic acid, tyrosol, and vanillic acid were amongst those only found in the plant-based meat alternative. Large differences in metabolites within various nutrient classes (e.g., amino acids, dipeptides, vitamins, phenols, tocopherols, and fatty acids) with physiological, anti-inflammatory, and/or immunomodulatory roles indicate that these products should not be viewed as truly nutritionally interchangeable, but could be viewed as complementary in terms of provided nutrients. The new information we provide is important for making informed decisions by consumers and health professionals. It cannot be determined from our data if either source is healthier to consume.

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Published In

Sci Rep

DOI

EISSN

2045-2322

Publication Date

July 5, 2021

Volume

11

Issue

1

Start / End Page

13828

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Taste
  • Red Meat
  • Nutritive Value
  • Nutritional Status
  • Nutrients
  • Metabolomics
  • Meat
  • Humans
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Fatty Acids
 

Citation

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van Vliet, S., Bain, J. R., Muehlbauer, M. J., Provenza, F. D., Kronberg, S. L., Pieper, C. F., & Huffman, K. M. (2021). A metabolomics comparison of plant-based meat and grass-fed meat indicates large nutritional differences despite comparable Nutrition Facts panels. Sci Rep, 11(1), 13828. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-93100-3
Vliet, Stephan van, James R. Bain, Michael J. Muehlbauer, Frederick D. Provenza, Scott L. Kronberg, Carl F. Pieper, and Kim M. Huffman. “A metabolomics comparison of plant-based meat and grass-fed meat indicates large nutritional differences despite comparable Nutrition Facts panels.Sci Rep 11, no. 1 (July 5, 2021): 13828. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-93100-3.
van Vliet S, Bain JR, Muehlbauer MJ, Provenza FD, Kronberg SL, Pieper CF, et al. A metabolomics comparison of plant-based meat and grass-fed meat indicates large nutritional differences despite comparable Nutrition Facts panels. Sci Rep. 2021 Jul 5;11(1):13828.
van Vliet, Stephan, et al. “A metabolomics comparison of plant-based meat and grass-fed meat indicates large nutritional differences despite comparable Nutrition Facts panels.Sci Rep, vol. 11, no. 1, July 2021, p. 13828. Pubmed, doi:10.1038/s41598-021-93100-3.
van Vliet S, Bain JR, Muehlbauer MJ, Provenza FD, Kronberg SL, Pieper CF, Huffman KM. A metabolomics comparison of plant-based meat and grass-fed meat indicates large nutritional differences despite comparable Nutrition Facts panels. Sci Rep. 2021 Jul 5;11(1):13828.

Published In

Sci Rep

DOI

EISSN

2045-2322

Publication Date

July 5, 2021

Volume

11

Issue

1

Start / End Page

13828

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Taste
  • Red Meat
  • Nutritive Value
  • Nutritional Status
  • Nutrients
  • Metabolomics
  • Meat
  • Humans
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Fatty Acids