PD135 - IMPACT OF HIGH-PROTEIN DRINKS CONSUMED AS A MEAL REPLACEMENT OR AS A BEVERAGE ON SUBSEQUENT ENERGY INTAKE IN YOUNG HEALTHY ADULTS

PD135

IMPACT OF HIGH-PROTEIN DRINKS CONSUMED AS A MEAL REPLACEMENT OR AS A BEVERAGE ON SUBSEQUENT ENERGY INTAKE IN YOUNG HEALTHY ADULTS

J. Maxara^1,*, F. A. Hägele¹, R. Dörner¹, J. Enderle¹, S. Fedde¹, A. Stolte¹, C. Herpich², K. Norman², M. J. Müller¹, A. Bosy-Westphal¹

¹Institute of Human Nutrition and Food Science - Division of Human Nutrition, Kiel University (Christian-Albrechts-Universität), Kiel, ²Department of Nutrition and Gerontology, German Institute of Human Nutrition (DIfE), Potsdam Rehbrücke, Germany

Rationale: High-protein drinks are widely marketed as healthy meal replacements and convenient snacks containing high amounts of protein, yet they provide liquid calories known to induce weaker satiety responses than solid or semi-solid foods. It was therefore investigated whether their consumption may promote excess energy intake and thereby contribute to the development of overweight.

Methods: Energy intake and eating behaviour were assessed in a single-blind, randomized crossover study in 20 young healthy adults (age 24.8 ± 2.9 years; BMI 24.8 ± 4.0 kg/m²). Participants completed two intervention protocols. In protocol A, a high-protein drink (500ml, 501 kcal, 24 % protein, 29 % CHO, 43 % fat) consumed as a meal replacement was compared with an isocaloric semi-solid porridge matched for energy density and macronutrient composition, followed by an ad libitum lunch (risotto). In protocol B, participants consumed either 250 ml of the high-protein drink or 250 ml of water as a preload prior to an ad libitum breakfast (porridge), followed by ad libitum lunch.

Results: When consumed as a meal replacement, the high-protein drink did not affect ad libitum energy intake at lunch or total daily energy intake compared with the semi-solid breakfast (both p > 0.05). In contrast, consumption of the high-protein drink as a beverage in addition to breakfast significantly increased ad libitum energy intake at breakfast (+194 ± 245 kcal, p < 0.05) compared with the water preload, without affecting subsequent lunch intake (p > 0.05). Consequently, total energy intake was higher in the high-protein drink condition (+172 ± 282 kcal, p < 0.05).

Conclusion: When used as a meal replacement, high-protein drinks do not increase short-term energy intake but consumption as beverage in addition to meals promotes excess energy intake and may thus lead to weight gain.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared