Cardiometabolic health refers to the integrated functioning of the cardiovascular and metabolic systems, encompassing factors like blood sugar regulation, lipid profiles, and vascular integrity. Plant science contributes directly to this field through the study of bioactive phytochemicals—such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and dietary fiber—that influence these physiological pathways in humans and other organisms. Understanding how plants synthesize and accumulate these compounds informs the development of functional foods and botanically derived interventions aimed at reducing cardiometabolic disease risk.
This study reviewed clinical trials to understand how eating more protein—or choosing animal versus plant protein—changes the body's chemical signals and heart disease risk. It found that protein source matters more than quantity for certain metabolic markers.
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Plant protein consumption produced distinct metabolomic profiles compared to animal protein, with differences in branched-chain amino acids and lipid-related metabolites linked to cardiometabolic risk.
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Higher protein intake overall altered circulating metabolites associated with insulin sensitivity and cholesterol metabolism, though effects varied by protein source.
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The systematic review and meta-analysis used MetaboAnalyst 6.0 to synthesize metabolomic data across randomized controlled trials, providing a structured framework for comparing protein-type effects on heart health markers.
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