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Study under review: Equivalent reductions in body weight during the Beef WISE Study: beef’s role in weight improvement, satisfaction and energy
Introduction
A high protein intake has been identified[1] as a common feature of successful weight loss interventions. It promotes satiety and reduces the loss of lean body mass with dieting. However, controversy has ensued over appropriate food sources of protein. From a nutritional standpoint, meat, eggs, and dairy are considered[2] the most bioavailable sources of dietary protein due to their complete amino acid profiles and high digestibility. As shown in Figure 1, meat consumption in the U.S. has increased[3] by about 67% over the last century, with 58% of current meat intake being red meat, 32% poultry, and 10% fish.

Several studies have investigated the impact of different food sources of protein on body composition and cardiometabolic health. We have discussed some of these in past ERD issues, such as one study[4] comparing two high-protein diets based on either animal protein or plant protein (ERD #31, Volume 1) and one study[5] comparing three DASH diets differing in their protein and red meat content (ERD #12, Volume 1). Other studies[6][7] have also investigated the health effects of red meat consumption in the context of a healthy dietary pattern. Collectively, these studies have suggested that red meat does not affect weight loss and cardiometabolic risk factors any differently from other sources of protein in the context of a healthy diet. The focus on red meat is understandable, considering it represents a majority portion of meat intake in the U.S. and has been associated with cardiovascular disease morbidity[8] and mortality[9]. Although the short-term randomized trials mentioned above have not been able to confirm these observations since, by their nature, they can’t examine these long-term outcomes, no randomized controlled trial has yet to compare red meat to other animal proteins in the context of a high-protein weight-loss diet. It is therefore important to test whether red meat undermines weight loss efforts. The study under review is a randomized controlled trial that was designed to fill this knowledge gap.
High-protein diets are effective for weight loss, but uncertainty exists as to where the protein should be coming from. Since red meat represents a significant portion of total meat intake in the U.S. and is thus an important contributor to this population’s total protein intake, the study under review compared two high-protein weight-loss diets that differed only in their red meat content so as to discover if these diets differentially affected weight loss and cardiometabolic health.
Who and what was studied?
What were the findings?
What does the study really tell us?
The big picture
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I know?
Other Articles in Issue #34 (August 2017)
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Interview: Brandon Roberts, PhD
In this volume, exercise scientist, coach, and research consultant Brandon Roberts talks with us about common mistakes he sees in strength training, the state of exercise science, and more.
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Interview: Phil Graham, BSc, PGDip, CISSN, MSc(c)
Phil Graham lives and thrives with type 1 diabetes. In this interview, we pick his brain about his body building experience, tips for professionals working with athletes with type 1 diabetes, and the interactions between insulin, dietary protein, and muscle protein synthesis.
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Beef protein: anabolic underdog?
Whey protein supplementation is considered a top contender when in comes to improving resistance training outcomes. Can a protein supplement derived from beef compete?
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Is there really no benefit from protein supplementation on weight loss maintenance?
There’s reason to think that protein supplementation can be helpful for weight loss. The question of whether it’s useful in weight maintenance is another matter
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The effect of protein supplementation on muscle mass and strength
A recent systematic review has questioned the long-standing belief that protein supplementation can help improve strength training outcomes. This metaanalysis quantitatively examines the latest evidence on the issue
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Ginger, vitamin B6 , or neither for nausea during pregnancy?
Ginger and vitamin B6 are commonly thought to be helpful for nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Few trials have looked at them head-to-head, though.
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Can supplemental vitamin D improve sleep?
Vitamin D levels seem to be correlated with sleep quality. But correlation doesn’t necessarily equal causation