Rationale: Consumption of sufficient dietary protein is fundamental to skeletal muscle mass maintenance and overall health. Conventional animal-based protein sources such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy are considered high-quality sources of dietary protein. However, the production of sufficient amounts of these conventional animal-based proteins to meet future global food demands will be challenging. Consequently, there is a great interest in more sustainable alternatives for these high-quality protein sources. Edible insects have recently been proposed as a high quality source of dietary protein. Insects are produced on a more viable and sustainable commercial scale and, as such, may contribute to ensuring global food security. Insect derived proteins represent a protein source that combines high quality with a (more) sustainable production. Though insect proteins have been suggested as a solution to secure future global dietary protein needs, there little data to support the bioavailability of insect derived proteins and their capacity to stimulate post-exercise muscle protein synthesis rates in vivo in humans. Objective: To assess the impact of ingesting mealworm derived protein on muscle protein synthesis rates during recovery from aerobic exercise in a group healthy men and women Study design: randomized, counter-balanced, cross-over design Study population: 20 healthy lean (BMI 18.5-30 kg/m2) young males and females (age: 18-35 y inclusive). Intervention: Subjects will perform running exercise and consume either 0.38 g per kg bodyweight mealworm protein or a non-caloric placebo. In addition, continuous intravenous tracer infusions will be applied, with plasma and muscle samples collected. Main study parameters/endpoints: The primary outcome will be post-exercise muscle protein synthesis rates following beverage ingestion.
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Muscle protein synthesis rates
Timeframe: 0-6 hours