Milk and Plant Protein Digestion

Rationale: There is a growing interest in plant-based alternatives for bovine milk. However, these plant-based drinks are not a complete nutritional substitute for bovine milk, especially when focusing on the protein content and quality of these products. Knowledge on the effects of protein quantity and quality of plant based drinks on postprandial plasma responses and gastric behavior compared to bovine milk is lacking.

Objective: To explore the effect of protein quantity and quality of protein in plant-based drinks. In addition, gastric behavior will be examined and compared to that of bovine milk.

Study design: Single-blind randomized cross-over study with three treatments.

Study population: 12 healthy normal-weight males, aged 18-45 y.

Intervention: After an overnight fast, participants will drink cow's milk, or a plant-based drink. Gastric behavior will be monitored using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Blood samples will be collected for plasma metabolomic analyses. In addition, wellbeing will be assessed.

Inclusion criteria

• Male
• Age 18 - 45 y
• Apparently healthy (self-reported)
• Normal-weight (BMI 18.5 - 25 kg/m2)
• Willing to be informed about incidental findings of pathology
• Willing to comply with the study procedures

Exclusion criteria

• Allergy or intolerance for cow milk, lactose or gluten (self-reported)
• Gastric disorders or regular gastric complaints, for example heart burn
• Use of medication which alters the normal functioning of the stomach, such as:

• Medical drug use that influences the GI tract's normal function, e.g. motility, pH etc.: among others use of protein pump inhibitors, antacids, anti-depressants etc. (judged by study doctor)
• Medical drug use that influences the GI tract's microbiota: antibiotic use within one month prior to the pre-study screening day (judged by study doctor)
• Following a vegan diet
• Smoking (>2 cigarettes a week)
• Having a chronic illness that could affect food digestion and nutrient absorption including but not limited to kidney disease, thyroid disease and diabetes mellitus (self-reported)
• Alcohol consumption of more than 14 glasses/week
• Having given a blood donation in the past two months
• Hb value below 8.5 mmol/L (as measured with finger-prick method at screening)
• Having a contra-indication to MRI scanning, including, but not limited to:

• Pacemakers and defibrillators
• Intraorbital or intraocular metallic fragments
• Ferromagnetic implants
• Claustrophobia
• Participating in other research during the study period
• Not having a general practitioner