Effects of Diets Containing Beef Compared with Poultry on Pancreatic β-Cell Function and Other Cardiometabolic Health Indicators in Males and Females with Prediabetes: A Randomized, Crossover Trial.

Background: The results of randomized controlled trials generally indicate that red meat intake, or beef specifically, has no impact on potential mechanisms that increase risk of type 2 diabetes, such as reduced insulin sensitivity. However, there have been limited studies conducted to assess the impact of red meat, including beef intake, on pancreatic β-cell function. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of beef intake compared with poultry intake on pancreatic β-cell function, other indicators of glucose homeostasis, glucoregulatory hormone responses, lipoprotein lipids, and biomarkers of inflammation in adults with prediabetes. Methods: This randomized crossover study included adults with overweight or obesity and prediabetes. The participants completed two 28-d treatment periods, separated by a 28-d washout period. Participants were provided entrées with beef or poultry (6-7 oz/d) to consume during the conditions and were otherwise instructed to maintain their habitual dietary pattern during the treatment and washout periods. The primary outcome was pancreatic β-cell function assessed as the ratio of the incremental areas under the curve (iAUC) Results: Twenty-nine adults were randomized after screening for inclusion, of which 24 participants (17 males, 7 females) completed the trial. The results indicated no significant differences between beef and poultry for iAUC C-peptide Conclusions: Compared with poultry, consumption of beef for 28 d did not produce adverse effects on pancreatic β-cell function, other indicators of glucose homeostasis, lipoprotein lipids, or biomarkers of inflammation.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT05456477 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05456477).