Exploring Health-Promoting Attributes of Plant Proteins as a Functional Ingredient for the Food Sector: A Systematic Review of Human Interventional Studies.

2020-07-30
Nutrients 12(8)
- Marta Lonnie
- Ieva Laurie
- Madeleine Myers
- Graham Horgan
- Wendy R Russell
- Alexandra M Johnstone

PubMed: 32751677
DOI: 10.3390/nu12082291

Study Design

Type: Systematic Review
Methods: Comprehensive search of PubMed, EMBASE and The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) through 23 and 27 March 2020 for randomized controlled trials that featured plant protein sources; only interventions with concentrated, isolated or hydrolysed forms; acute and sub-chronic studies; PRISMA approach; 1190 records identified, 26 studies met criteria

Rigorous Journal

The potential beneficial effects of plant-based diets on human health have been extensively studied. However, the evidence regarding the health effects of extracted plant-based proteins as functional ingredients, other than soya, is scarce. The aim of this review was to compile evidence on the effects of extracted protein from a wide range of traditional and novel plant sources on glycemic responses, appetite, body weight, metabolic, cardiovascular and muscle health. A comprehensive search of PubMed, EMBASE and The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) was conducted through 23 and 27 March 2020 for randomized controlled trials that featured any of the following 18 plant protein sources: alfalfa, duckweed, buckwheat, chickpea, fava bean, hemp, lentil, lupin, mushroom, oat, pea, potato, pumpkin, quinoa, rapeseed, rice, sacha inchi, sunflower. Only interventions that investigated concentrated, isolated or hydrolysed forms of dietary protein were included. Searched health outcome measures were: change in blood glucose, insulin, satiety hormones concentration, subjective assessment of appetite/satiety, change in blood lipids concentration, blood pressure, body weight and muscle health parameters. Acute and sub-chronic studies were considered for inclusion. Applying the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) approach we identified 1190 records. Twenty-six studies met the inclusion criteria. Plant protein sources used in interventions were most often pea (n = 16), followed by lupin (n = 4), fava bean (n = 2), rice (n = 2), oat (n = 2), hemp (n = 2) and lentil (n = 1). Satiety and postprandial glycemic response were the most frequently reported health outcomes (n = 18), followed by blood lipids (n = 6), muscle health (n = 5), body weight (n = 5) and blood pressure (n = 4). No studies on the remaining plant proteins in the extracted form were identified through the search. Most studies confirmed the health-promoting effect of identified extracted plant protein sources across glycemic, appetite, cardiovascular and muscular outcomes when compared to baseline or non-protein control. However, the current evidence is still not sufficient to formulate explicit dietary recommendations. In general, the effects of plant protein were comparable (but not superior) to protein originating from animals. This is still a promising finding, suggesting that the desired health effects can be achieved with more sustainable, plant alternatives. More methodologically homogenous research is needed to formulate and validate evidence-based health claims for plant protein ingredients. The relevance of these findings are discussed for the food sector with supporting market trends.

Research Insights

Fava Bean Protein→Improved Glycemic Response
Satiety and postprandial glycemic response were the most frequently reported health outcomes (n = 18)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Fava Bean Protein→Improved Muscle Health
most studies confirmed the health-promoting effect ... across ... muscular outcomes
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Fava Bean Protein→Improved Satiety
Satiety and postprandial glycemic response were the most frequently reported health outcomes (n = 18) ... most studies confirmed the health-promoting effect
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Fava Bean Protein→Reduced Appetite
Satiety and postprandial glycemic response were the most frequently reported health outcomes (n = 18)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Fava Bean Protein→Reduced Blood Pressure
blood pressure (n = 4) ... effects of plant protein were comparable (but not superior) to protein originating from animals.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Fava Bean Protein→Reduced Body Weight
Body weight (n = 5) ... effects of plant protein were comparable (but not superior) to protein originating from animals.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Fava Bean Protein→Reduced Lipid Level
blood lipids (n = 6)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Fava Bean Protein→Reduced Postprandial Glycemic Response
Satiety and postprandial glycemic response were the most frequently reported health outcomes (n = 18) ... most studies confirmed the health-promoting effect of identified extracted plant protein sources across glycemic, appetite, cardiovascular and muscular outcomes
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Hemp Protein→Improved Glycemic Response
Satiety and postprandial glycemic response were the most frequently reported health outcomes (n = 18)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Hemp Protein→Improved Muscle Health
most studies confirmed the health-promoting effect ... across ... muscular outcomes
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Hemp Protein→Improved Satiety
Satiety and postprandial glycemic response were the most frequently reported health outcomes (n = 18) ... most studies confirmed the health-promoting effect
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Hemp Protein→Reduced Appetite
Satiety and postprandial glycemic response were the most frequently reported health outcomes (n = 18)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Hemp Protein→Reduced Blood Pressure
blood pressure (n = 4) ... effects of plant protein were comparable (but not superior) to protein originating from animals.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Hemp Protein→Reduced Body Weight
Body weight (n = 5) ... effects of plant protein were comparable (but not superior) to protein originating from animals.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Hemp Protein→Reduced Lipid Level
blood lipids (n = 6)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Hemp Protein→Reduced Postprandial Glycemic Response
Satiety and postprandial glycemic response were the most frequently reported health outcomes (n = 18) ... most studies confirmed the health-promoting effect of identified extracted plant protein sources across glycemic, appetite, cardiovascular and muscular outcomes
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Pea Protein→Improved Glycemic Response
Satiety and postprandial glycemic response were the most frequently reported health outcomes (n = 18)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Pea Protein→Improved Muscle Health
most studies confirmed the health-promoting effect ... across ... muscular outcomes
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Pea Protein→Improved Satiety
Satiety and postprandial glycemic response were the most frequently reported health outcomes (n = 18) ... most studies confirmed the health-promoting effect
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Pea Protein→Reduced Appetite
Satiety and postprandial glycemic response were the most frequently reported health outcomes (n = 18)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Pea Protein→Reduced Blood Lipid Levels
most studies confirmed the health-promoting effect of identified extracted plant protein sources across glycemic, appetite, cardiovascular and muscular outcomes when compared to baseline or non-protein control.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Pea Protein→Reduced Blood Pressure
blood pressure (n = 4) ... effects of plant protein were comparable (but not superior) to protein originating from animals.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Pea Protein→Reduced Body Weight
Body weight (n = 5) ... effects of plant protein were comparable (but not superior) to protein originating from animals.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Pea Protein→Reduced Lipid Level
blood lipids (n = 6)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Pea Protein→Reduced Postprandial Glycemic Response
Satiety and postprandial glycemic response were the most frequently reported health outcomes (n = 18) ... most studies confirmed the health-promoting effect of identified extracted plant protein sources across glycemic, appetite, cardiovascular and muscular outcomes
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Rice Protein→Improved Glycemic Response
Satiety and postprandial glycemic response were the most frequently reported health outcomes (n = 18)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Rice Protein→Improved Muscle Health
most studies confirmed the health-promoting effect ... across ... muscular outcomes
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Rice Protein→Improved Satiety
Satiety and postprandial glycemic response were the most frequently reported health outcomes (n = 18) ... most studies confirmed the health-promoting effect
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Rice Protein→Reduced Appetite
Satiety and postprandial glycemic response were the most frequently reported health outcomes (n = 18)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Rice Protein→Reduced Blood Pressure
blood pressure (n = 4) ... effects of plant protein were comparable (but not superior) to protein originating from animals.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Rice Protein→Reduced Body Weight
Body weight (n = 5) ... effects of plant protein were comparable (but not superior) to protein originating from animals.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Rice Protein→Reduced Lipid Level
blood lipids (n = 6)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Rice Protein→Reduced Postprandial Glycemic Response
Satiety and postprandial glycemic response were the most frequently reported health outcomes (n = 18) ... most studies confirmed the health-promoting effect of identified extracted plant protein sources across glycemic, appetite, cardiovascular and muscular outcomes
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small