Effects of Diets Containing Beef Compared with Poultry on Pancreatic β-Cell Function and Other Cardiometabolic Health Indicators in Males and Females with Prediabetes: A Randomized, Crossover Trial.

Abstract

The results of randomized controlled trials generally indicate that red meat intake, or beef specifically, has no impact on potential mechanisms that increase risk of type 2 diabetes, such as reduced insulin sensitivity. However, there have been limited studies conducted to assess the impact of red meat, including beef intake, on pancreatic β-cell function. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of beef intake compared with poultry intake on pancreatic β-cell function, other indicators of glucose homeostasis, glucoregulatory hormone responses, lipoprotein lipids, and biomarkers of inflammation in adults with prediabetes. This randomized crossover study included adults with overweight or obesity and prediabetes. The participants completed two 28-d treatment periods, separated by a 28-d washout period. Participants were provided entrées with beef or poultry (6-7 oz/d) to consume during the conditions and were otherwise instructed to maintain their habitual dietary pattern during the treatment and washout periods. The primary outcome was pancreatic β-cell function assessed as the ratio of the incremental areas under the curve (iAUC) 0-180 min for C-peptide to glucose. Secondary outcomes were fasting and postprandial levels of glucose, insulin, C-peptide, glucagon, glucagon-like peptide-1, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α. Effects on fasting lipoprotein lipid levels were an exploratory outcome. Twenty-nine adults were randomized after screening for inclusion, of which 24 participants (17 males, 7 females) completed the trial. The results indicated no significant differences between beef and poultry for iAUC C-peptide 0-180 min /iAUC glucose 0-180 min or any of the secondary and exploratory outcomes. Compared with poultry, consumption of beef for 28 d did not produce adverse effects on pancreatic β-cell function, other indicators of glucose homeostasis, lipoprotein lipids, or biomarkers of inflammation.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT05456477 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05456477).