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NCT Number: NCT07552740

Digestion and Absorption Kinetics of Beef Consumed Alone or as Part of a Mixed-Meal: a Crossover Trial in Young Adults

The purpose of this study is to assess the digestion and absorption kinetics of beef consumed alone or as part in healthy adults. In a randomized, crossover design, 10 young, healthy adult males and females aged 18-35 years, will consume a meal consisting of 25 g protein from minced beef alone or as part of a mixed-meal during two separate experimental trials. The main study endpoint is the exogenous rate of amino acid appearance in response to the ingested beef over a 10-h period.

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Key information

Conditions

Protein Metabolism

Age range

18 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Aged between 18-35 years
  • BMI between 18.5-30 kg/m2
  • Healthy, recreationally active (exercise at least once per two weeks and a maximum of four days per week)
  • No physical limitations (i.e., able to perform all activities associated with daily living independently)

Exclusion criteria

  • Smoking
  • Vegan, vegetarian, or does not consume beef protein
  • Diagnosed musculoskeletal disorders
  • Use of any medications known to affect protein metabolism (i.e., corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, or prescribed acne medications)
  • Chronic use of gastric acid-suppressing medication or anti-coagulants
  • Unstable weight over the last three months
  • Diagnosed GI tract disorders or diseases
  • Blood donation in the past 2 months
  • Females: pregnancy

Treatment and study plan

Food proteins

Dietary Supplement

Meal consisting of 25 g protein･kg BM-1 from minced beef protein.

Primary outcomes

  1. Digestion and absorption kinetics

    Time frame: Over the 10 hour timeframe following beef ingestion

    The exogenous rate of amino acid appearance in response to the ingested beef (expressed as μmol/kg/min). Based on tracer plasma amino acid concentrations over time (measured with ultra performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Whole-body protein metabolism

    Time frame: Over the 10 hour timeframe following beef ingestion

    Whole-body protein metabolism includes measurements of protein synthesis, breakdown, oxidation, and net balance (all expressed as μmol/kg/h). Based on amino acid concentrations in plasma and breath samples over time (measured with ultra performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-isotope ratio mass spectrometry).

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Jorn Trommelen, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

+31 43 388 1617

Julia M Malowany, MSc

CONTACT

[email protected]

+31 43 388 1617

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Maastricht University Medical Center

Other

Registry information

Acronym: Meat vs Meal

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2028
First posted
Apr 27, 2026
Registry last updated
Apr 27, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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