Key words: cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus type 2, metabolic health, vascular function, protein, soy

"Metabolic health and vascular function in adults: Effects of a high-protein diet and soy nuts"

The prevalence of overweight and obesity, and related chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus type 2 and cardiovascular disease, is rapidly increasing. Maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle is a cornerstone in the prevention of these age-related conditions. Dietary protein intake may play an important role in disease prevention, depending on the amount and origin of the protein.

This thesis investigated the effects of two nutritional interventions, a high-protein diet and a soy nut intervention, on multiple markers of metabolic health and vascular function in adults. This work shows that a higher protein content in the diet decreased the perception of hunger and affected the concentration of certain messenger molecules produced by the body after meals, while no effects on metabolic health and vascular function were found. Moreover, it was found that a longer-term daily soy nut consumption improved vascular function and blood lipid concentrations in older men and women. It was concluded that these effects may contribute to the beneficial effects of plant-based diets on the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

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