Wheat Biscuits Enriched with Plant-Based Protein Contribute to Weight Loss and Beneficial Metabolic Effects in Subjects with Overweight/Obesity

Abstract

The present study aimed to assess the impact of daily consumption of a snack fortified with plant proteins with high content in amino acids with appetite regulating properties (BCAAs and L-arginine), as part of a dietary intervention, on weight loss. Seventy adults without diabetes (26 male, 44 female) and with overweight/obesity participated in a 12-week restricted dietary intervention and were randomized to either a control or an intervention group, consuming daily 70 g of conventional wheat biscuits (CB) or an isocaloric amount of wheat biscuits enriched with plant proteins (PB) originating from legumes and seeds, respectively. Anthropometric characteristics were measured and venous blood samples were collected at baseline and at the end of the intervention. Decreases in body weight, body fat mass and waist circumference were observed in both groups. Participants in the intervention group experienced greater weight loss (7.6 ± 2.7 vs. 6.2 ± 2.7%, p = 0.025) and marginally significant larger decrease in body fat mass (4.9 ± 2.2 vs. 3.9 ± 2.4 kg, p = 0.059). A moderate reduction in IL-1β levels (p = 0.081), a significantly higher decrease in TNF-α levels (p < 0.001) and a marginally significant greater leptin decrease (p = 0.066) in subjects of the PB group were noticed. Greater reductions in caloric and carbohydrate intake and a trend towards a higher decrease in fat intake were also observed in participants of this group. Incorporation of plant-based proteins with high content in amino acids with appetite-regulating properties in wheat biscuits may contribute to greater weight loss and improvement of metabolic parameters in subjects who are overweight or obese. Protein enrichment of snacks offers a beneficial qualitative manipulation that could be successfully incorporated in a diet plan.

Postprandial Glucose and Gastrointestinal Hormone Responses of Healthy Subjects to Wheat Biscuits Enriched with L-Arginine or Branched-Chain Amino Acids of Plant Origin

“…It has to be reported that ArgB was further examined in a long-term study conducted in subjects with overweight/obesity following a hypocaloric diet. The results showed that participants who consumed the ArgB exerted significantly higher body weight reduction and lower energy intake compared to the participants who consumed isocaloric amounts of the control wheat biscuit [ 51 ]. Animal studies have shown that L-arg has a delayed and sustainable anorectic effect [ 18 ].…”

Association of Plant-Based and High-Protein Diets with a Lower Obesity Risk Defined by Fat Mass in Middle-Aged and Elderly Persons with a High Genetic Risk of Obesity

“…The cutoff of protein intake was 15 En%, so our results suggest that higher than 15 En% from protein may decrease fat mass. The previous study found that the group with the protein-added biscuits lost significantly more body weight and fat mass than the control group [ 43 ].…”

Plant-based and high protein diets are associated with a lower risk of obesity among Koreans at a high genetic risk of obesity.

“…The study did not determine a more precise dietary protein level needed for weight reduction. However, the e cacy of increased protein to support weight loss does have support from a human trial that used biscuits enriched with plant-based protein and found that the group with the protein-added biscuits lost signi cantly more body weight and fat mass than the control group [39].…”