Effect of The Substitution of Animal Protein by Soya-Based Fermented Product on Human Gut Microbiome
There is a growing understanding of the functioning and interconnectedness of microbiomes in the food system which offers great potential for enabling the development of new solutions contributing to achieving important food and nutrition goals including those requested by FOOD 2030. Of relevance in this regard is the provision of sustainable and healthy protein sources. Because of the obvious environmental and climate concerns associated with the production of animal-derived protein, a transition is needed to healthier and more environment-friendly diets, including a moderate-level consumption of red and processed meat and greater emphasis on plant-based foods.

As well as impact of meat production on the climate, it is well established that eating a diet rich in red meat promotes the growth of gut microbiome members that drive or exacerbate inflammation. Plant protein does not have these associations, and in fact it is often accompanied by fibre ingestion, which favours growth of health-promoting gut microbes. Replacing meat with plant protein offers the prospect of improving consumer health by improving the gut microbiome. The EU funded project MICROBIOMES4SOY will assess the effect of replacing animal protein with soya-derived protein on the human gut microbiome and whether this replacement can reduce the risk of inflammation-related diseases by gut microbiome modulation. This knowledge will provide a baseline for establishing new dietary pathways making use of soya protein and support dietary transition for EU citizens.
- EligibilityCriteria: Inclusion Criteria:  Be able to give written informed consent. Be between 18-55 years of age. Has a BMI between >18.5 and <32.0 kg/m2. Has a stable body weight (≤5 % change) over the past 3-months. Is in general good health, as determined by the investigator. Consuming a single daily portion of red/processed meat in their Western diet as assessed by Food Frequency Questionnaire (meat items) at screening. Willing to avoid lifestyle fluctuations (diet, exercise) for the duration of the study.  Exclusion Criteria:  Participants who are pregnant or wish to become pregnant during the study. Participants who are lactating and/or currently breastfeeding. Participants currently of biological childbearing potential, but not using a continuous effective method of contraception. Is hypersensitive to any of the components of the Study Product. Participants who have taken oral antibiotics 12 weeks prior to visit 1. Have a significant acute or chronic coexisting illness such as uncontrolled hypertension, uncontrolled hyperlipidaemia, hypercoagulation, inflammatory disorders, or any condition which contraindicates, in the investigator's judgement, entry to the study. Metabolic or chronic diseases (including pre-diabetes and diabetes), metabolic syndrome, obesity (Class 2), uncontrolled high blood pressure or chronic inflammation or any ongoing medical condition that interferes significantly with absorption and digestion and/or gastrointestinal (GI) function. Participants has acute or chronic gastrointestinal and/or infective disease (i.e., coeliac disease, diarrhoea, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulosis, stomach or duodenal ulcers, hepatitis, etc.), or with a history of such diseases or gastrointestinal surgery (appendectomy in the last 3 months acceptable). Has a malignant disease or any concomitant end-stage organ disease, and are severely immunocompromised (HIV positive, transplant patient, on antirejection medications, or chemotherapy or radiotherapy which, in the Investigator's judgment, contraindicates participation in the study. Participant has a history of drug and/or alcohol abuse at the time of enrolment (Drinks more than nationally recommended units per week (>11 units for women; >17 units for men); alcohol/substance abuse disorder). Is a smoker/vaper/consumes or uses nicotine containing products. Taking medications/supplements that the investigator believes would interfere with the objectives of the study. Prohibited medications include: Metformin Proton pump inhibitors Protein supplements Creatinine supplements Individuals who, in the opinion of the investigator, are considered to be poor attendees or unlikely for any reason to be able to comply with the study. Participants may not be receiving treatment involving experimental drugs/supplements. If the Participant has been in a recent experimental study, these must have been completed not less than 60 days prior to this study. - HealthyVolunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers - Gender: All - MinimumAge: 18 Years - MaximumAge: 55 Years - StdAgeList: Adult