(P16-07-26) Plant- Versus Animal-Based Protein Breakfast Meals Have Similar Effects on Ingestive Behavior in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Objectives: PCOS is a chronic disease affecting 6 to 12% of women of reproductive age in the United States. Dietary interventions that improve glucose metabolism are important to PCOS management, and protein-rich meals have been associated with improvements in these outcomes. However, the effects of plant- versus animal-based proteins are poorly investigated in women with PCOS. The objective of this study was to evaluate the acute impact of breakfast meals with plant- versus animal-based proteins on postprandial ingestive behavior responses in women with PCOS.

Methods: Women with PCOS were recruited for this randomized, crossover study. Participants consumed an isocaloric test meal from either plant- (PB, protein 29.07g, carbohydrate 37.38g, fat 13.29g) or animal-based (AB, protein 29.08g, carbohydrate 36.10g, fat 12.86g) protein sources, standardized for portion size. Participants arrived fasted, and blood samples, resting energy expenditure (REE) and appetite ratings were measured at 0, 30, 60, 120, 180, and 240 minutes. After a one-week washout, participants returned to consume the alternate protein condition and repeated all assessments. Data were analyzed using two-way repeated-measuresANOVA and mixed effects analysis (p < 0.05).

Results: There was no effect of protein source or time x protein source interaction on glucose and free fatty acids (FFA). A time effect was observed on glucose (p = 0.01) and FFA (p = 0.02), with both groups exhibiting a decrease over time in glucose and FFA. Glucagon showed a protein source effect (p = 0.02), with PB showing a decrease while AB remaining unchanged over time. An effect of time was observed for hunger, satiety, food quantity, and desire to eat (p < 0.0001), with no effect of protein source. Cravings for salty foods showed a time effect (p < 0.0001) and a time x protein source interaction (p = 0.02), with AB showing a decrease in salty cravings (p < 0.0001). REE, REE/kg body weight, and REE/kg fat free mass showed a significant time effect (p < 0.0001), with no protein source or time x protein source interaction.

Conclusions: Preliminary data from this study suggest that animal- and plant-based protein breakfasts elicit the same postprandial effect on ingestive behavior and energy expenditure. NCT07142603

Funding Sources: Arkansas Biosciences Institute