The protein shift - a risk for women and children?

Research Project, 2022 – 2024

The Swedish government has adopted a national food strategy that supports reduced meat consumption and the transition to more sustainable protein sources. The effects of such a shift
on the status of critical nutrients in risk groups are unknown. We will therefore evaluate how a shift towards a more plant-based diet affects the status of nutrients through observational
studies in a birth cohort (NICE), conduct intervention studies to evaluate iron absorption and evaluate nutritional value in plant-based meat substitutes available on the Swedish market.

Our hypotheses are that i) A protein shift from meat to plant protein can have negative effects onnutritional status (iron, zinc, vitamins B12 and D) in women of childbearing age and children ii)
Fish protein as a complement to plant protein results in higher bioavailability of iron/ essential micronutrients iii) Nutritional value deteriorates in highly processed meat substitute products
compared with traditional plant-based products.

The hypotheses are addressed by i) investigating the nutritional status associated with low to high plant based food intake, ii) investigate iron absorption from matched plant-, fish- and meat
protein meals with radioisotope technique in a controlled study; ii) assess the nutritional value of highly processed, vegetable protein products vs traditional plant products.

The project provides important evidence to substantiate a protein shift for increased sustainability and health.