QUORN MAY BE A HEALTHY PROTEIN REPLACEMENT FOR RED MEAT

-

 

QUORN MAY BE A HEALTHY PROTEIN REPLACEMENT FOR RED MEAT

    


People looking to reduce their cholesterol and trim fat from around their waist could try swapping meat for Quorn protein, according to the findings from a new study by Northumbria University, Newcastle, published in the European Journal of Nutrition, which saw positive effects in both areas in just two weeks.

Researchers from the University found that participants who ate Quorn products -- the popular mycoprotein-based meat substitute -- over just two weeks saw a significant 12% drop in 'bad' LDL cholesterol and a 7% fall in total cholesterol, compared to those who ate similar products made from red and processed meat. In addition, they also reduced their waist circumference by close to 1cm (0.95cm) on average over the 14 days.

According to medical research, such a drop in total cholesterol levels could reduce a person's risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, such as a stroke or coronary heart disease, by as much as 9%. Waist circumference is a good measure of abdominal fat and a key marker of cardiovascular health, with a nearly 1cm reduction in the mycoprotein group achieved within a short period, suggesting potential benefits for heart health and body composition.

The investigator-blind trial -- which involved 20 healthy male adults who were randomly assigned to consume 240 grams per day of red and processed meat or an equivalent amount of Quorn over two 14-day periods -- also revealed further heart health benefits from consuming mycoprotein, the unique ingredient in all Quorn products. Researchers identified a clinically meaningful trend toward lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the mycoprotein group, potentially contributing to improved cardiovascular health.

The findings come after the latest annual Health Survey for England estimated that well over half (59%) of adults suffer from raised cholesterol, almost two-thirds (64%) are overweight or living with obesity, and nearly a third (30%) have high blood pressure. All three are known to cause cardiovascular disease -- meaning millions of people could be at risk of a potentially fatal heart attack or stroke.

High cholesterol is mainly caused by diets high in saturated fat, carrying excess fat around your waist, and not exercising enough. It is described, alongside high blood pressure, as one of the 'silent killers' often symptomless and only identified through a medical emergency.

Elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, often called 'bad' cholesterol, can build fatty plaques in a person's arteries, restricting blood flow and increasing their risk of a heart attack or stroke. High LDL cholesterol is currently associated with a quarter (115) of the 460 heart and circulatory disease deaths recorded in the UK daily.

Almost eight million people in the UK use statins to lower their cholesterol. Still, there is growing concern, following shortages, about the affordability of these drugs, with the most prescribed statin, atorvastatin, recently increasing in price from 49p to £5.30 over six weeks.

Maintaining a healthy waist circumference is also essential for preventing future heart attacks and strokes. A larger waist typically indicates excess fat around and inside organs. When this happens in the liver, for example, it pushes too much fat and sugar into the blood, increasing the risk of coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes. This is a risk when excess fat is carried around the lower torso in the abdominal area.

Commenting on the study findings, lead researcher Dr Daniel Commane, Associate Professor in Nutritional Sciences at Northumbria University, said:

"At a time when millions of people have high cholesterol and excess tummy fat, this study is the latest of several human dietary intervention trials where mycoprotein has demonstrated significant cardiovascular benefits.

"It's essential as it highlights how making a simple dietary change to consume mycoprotein can deliver impressive heart health benefits in a very short period, cutting the risk of a person dying from cardiovascular disease by as much as nine percent, according to some models. It also demonstrates how mycoprotein could play a key role in weight loss and long-term weight management -- which is essential when considering the health risks of obesity and that almost two in three people in England are clinically overweight.

"This latest study builds on previous research we conducted, which revealed that Quorn mycoprotein significantly reduces the presence of cancer biomarkers and improves gut health."

Fungi-based proteins like Quorn's mycoprotein are a separate kingdom of food, distinct from plant-based foods, and they are increasingly being recognized for their specific nutritional attributes. Cultivated via the age-old fermentation process, mycoprotein is a 'complete protein' low in saturated fat, contains no cholesterol and is recognized as a healthy source of protein and fiber. Quorn mycoprotein forms part of a healthy and sustainable diet, with mycoprotein included in the Eatwell Guide, the UK Government's nutritional eating guidelines.

Tim Finnigan, Scientific Advisor for Quorn Foods and Visiting Professor at Northumbria University, said:

"While many millions of people have been diagnosed with raised cholesterol or high blood pressure, millions remain undiagnosed, and tackling these silent killers should remain an absolute priority.

"There's a myriad of solutions to these challenges, some costing more than others, but what is clear from this research and other recent studies is that people can make a massive difference to their heart health by adding mycoprotein to their diet.

"Made by fermenting a naturally occurring fungus, it replicates the taste and texture of meat incredibly well and is supported by a rich evidence base of more than 20 published studies showing its health benefits as a quality protein."

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

PEOPLE WITH OBESITY BURN LESS CALORIES DURING THE DAY

-
Image
  PEOPLE WITH OBESITY BURN LESS CALORIES DURING THE DAY Building on prior studies with healthy-weight participants, the new research includes different body sizes.         New research indicates that weight influences how and when bodies burn energy. An Oregon Health & Science University study published in the journal  Obesity  found people who have a healthy weight use more energy during the day, when most people are active and eat, while those who are obese spend more energy during the night when most people sleep. The study also found that during the day, those with obesity have higher levels of the hormone insulin -- a sign that the body is working harder to use glucose, an energy-packed sugar. "It was surprising to learn how dramatically the timing of when our bodies burn energy differed in those with obesity," said the study's first author, Andrew McHill, Ph.D., an assistant professor at the OHSU School of Nursing and the Oregon Institute of ...
Read more

WHAT CAUSES ITCHING, AND WHAT STOPS IT?

-
Image
  WHAT CAUSES ITCHING, AND WHAT STOPS IT?         It can be a relief to scratch the occasional itch, but when itch gets out of control, it can become a severe health problem. How does the body know when to stop? Scientists at UC San Francisco are getting close to an answer. In a breakthrough that could transform how doctors treat conditions from eczema to allergies, they have discovered a feedback loop centered on a single immune protein called IL-31 that causes the urge to itch and dials back nearby inflammation. The findings, published on October 13th in  Science Immunology , lay the groundwork for a new generation of drugs that interact more intelligently with the body's innate self-regulating ability. Previous approaches suggested that IL-31 signals itch and promotes skin inflammation. However, the UCSF team discovered that nerve cells, or neurons, that respond to IL-31, triggering a scratch, also prevent immune cells from overreacting and causing more ...
Read more

A VEGAN DIET IMPROVES CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH, ACCORDING TO A NEW STUDY

-
Image
  A VEGAN DIET IMPROVES CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH, ACCORDING TO A NEW STUDY         In a study with 22 pairs of identical twins, Stanford Medicine researchers and their colleagues have found that a vegan diet improves cardiovascular health in as little as eight weeks. Although it's well-known that eating less meat improves cardiovascular health, diet studies often need to be enhanced by genetic differences, upbringing, and lifestyle choices. By studying identical twins, however, the researchers were able to control for genetics and limit the other factors, as the twins grew up in the same households and reported similar lifestyles. "Not only did this study provide a groundbreaking way to assert that a vegan diet is healthier than the conventional omnivore diet, but the twins were also a riot to work with," said Christopher Gardner, Ph.D., the Rehnborg Farquhar Professor and a professor of medicine. "They dressed the same, they talked the same, and they had a banter ...
Read more