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Urinary Response to Consuming Plant-Based Meat Alternatives in Persons with Normal Kidney Function: The SWAP-MEAT
Catherine P Ward1, Matthew J Landry1, Kristen M Cunanan1
1Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA.
Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : CJASN
|November 8, 2024
Summary
Plant-based meat alternatives may benefit kidney health by reducing dietary acid load and increasing beneficial urinary compounds compared to animal meat. This suggests potential advantages for individuals with kidney disorders.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Nutritional Science
- Dietary Interventions
Background:
- Excessive animal meat consumption is linked to kidney issues like urinary stone disease and chronic kidney disease (CKD).
- Plant-based meat alternatives offer vegetable protein but their health impact relative to whole vegetables is not fully understood.
- A hypothesis proposed that plant-based meat reduces dietary acid load while increasing phosphorus and nitrogen intake compared to animal meat.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of consuming plant-based meat alternatives versus animal meat on key urinary and serum markers related to kidney health.
- To compare the dietary acid load, phosphorus, and nitrogen excretion between plant-based and animal meat diets.
Main Methods:
- A randomized 8-week crossover trial (The Study With Appetizing Plantfood—Meat Eating Alternatives Trial; NCT03718988) involving 36 healthy participants.
- Participants consumed either plant-based meat or animal meat for two 8-week periods.
- Urine and serum samples were analyzed for sulfate, ammonium, pH, phosphorus, urea nitrogen (UUN), citrate, and creatinine.
Main Results:
- The plant-based meat diet was associated with significantly lower urinary excretion of sulfate, ammonium, phosphorus, and UUN compared to the animal meat diet.
- Higher urinary pH and a greater urine citrate-to-creatinine ratio were observed with the plant-based meat diet.
- Serum creatinine levels were lower on the plant-based meat diet, while serum bicarbonate levels showed no significant difference.
Conclusions:
- Plant-based meat consumption, relative to animal meat, leads to reduced urinary excretion of acid precursors (sulfate, ammonium) and phosphorus, and increased citrate excretion.
- These findings suggest a potential benefit of plant-based meat alternatives for individuals with kidney disease.
- Further research is warranted to confirm the renal health benefits of plant-based meat products.
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