The specific hypothesis is that the consumption of 2 Hayward green kiwifruit (containing actinidin protease) prior to 100g of ground beef will increase the rate of protein digestion from the beef in the elderly, leading to an increased uptake of the essential amino acids. Furthermore, this increased essential amino acid availability will produce a greater postprandial net anabolic protein response, as well as increased fractional synthetic rates of muscle proteins.~To test this hypothesis, the investigators will use a double-blinded crossover design involving two intervention arms; in both arms 100g of ground beef (cooked weight) will be consumed following either 2 Hayward green kiwifruit (containing actinidin protease) or 2 Hort16A Gold kiwifruit (devoid of actinidin protease) by elderly subjects.
The specific hypothesis is that the consumption of 2 Hayward green kiwifruit (containing actinidin protease) prior to 100g of ground beef will increase the rate of protein digestion from the beef in the elderly, leading to an increased uptake of the essential amino acids. Furthermore, this increased essential amino acid availability will produce a greater postprandial net anabolic protein response, as well as increased fractional synthetic rates of muscle proteins.