Is protein the forgotten ingredient: Effects of higher compared to lower protein diets on cardiometabolic risk factors. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Research output: Contribution to journal › Review › Research › peer-review
Background and aims: Higher protein (HP) diets may lead to lower cardiometabolic risk, compared to lower protein (LP) diets. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to investigate the effects of HP versus LP diets on cardiometabolic risk factors in adults, using the totality of the current evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs).
Methods: Systematic searches were conducted in electronic databases, up to November 2020. Random effects meta-analyses were conducted to pool the standardised mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The main outcomes were weight loss, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, fat mass, systolic and diastolic BP, total cholesterol, HDL-and LDL-cholesterol, triacylglycerol, fasting glucose and insulin, and glycated haemoglobin.
Results: Fifty-seven articles reporting on 54 RCTs were included, involving 4344 participants (65% female, mean age: 46 (SD 10) years, mean BMI: 33 (SD 3) kg/m2), with a mean study duration of 18 weeks (range: 4 to 156 weeks). Compared to LP diets (range protein (E%):10-23%), HP diets (range protein (E%): 20-45%) led to more weight loss (SMD -0.13, 95% CI: -0.23, -0.03), greater reductions in fat mass (SMD -0.14, 95% CI: -0.24, -0.04), systolic BP (SMD -0.12, 95% CI: -0.21, -0.02), total cholesterol (SMD -0.11, 95% CI: -0.19, -0.02), triacylglycerol (SMD -0.22, 95% CI: -0.30, -0.14) and insulin (SMD -0.12, 95% CI: -0.22, -0.03). No significant differences were observed for the other outcomes.
Conclusions: Higher protein diets showed small, but favourable effects on weight loss, fat mass loss, systolic blood pressure, some lipid outcomes and insulin, compared to lower protein diets.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Atherosclerosis |
Volume | 328 |
Pages (from-to) | 124-135 |
Number of pages | 12 |
ISSN | 1567-5688 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2021 |
Bibliographical note
Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
- Faculty of Science - Cardiometabolic, Meta-analysis, Protein diet, Randomised controlled trial, Systematic review
Research areas
ID: 272166244