1. Introduction
±, Endothelial dysfunction, Vascular endothelial damage, CVD
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, CVD, ENDOTHELIAL DYSFUNCTION, DYSFUNCTION, ATHEROSCLEROSIS
Red meat is stigmatized as an unhealthy protein choice; however, its impacts on vascular function have not been evaluated. We aimed to measure the vascular impact of adding either low-fat (~5% fat) ground beef (LFB) or high-fat (~25% fat) ground beef (HFB) to a habitual diet in free-living men. Twenty-three males (39.9 ± 10.8 years, 177.5 ± 6.7 cm, 97.3 ± 25.0 kg) participated in this double-blind crossover study. Assessment of vascular function and aerobic capacity were measured at entry and in the last week of each intervention and washout period. Participants then completed two 5-week dietary interventions (LFB or HFB; 5 patties/week) in a randomized order with a 4-week washout. Data were analyzed via 2 × 2 repeated-measures ANOVA (Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading causes of mortality globally [Vascular endothelial damage and dysfunction are the initiating steps of atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction is identified by an impaired vascular response to dilators, most commonly associated with decreased nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability [Few studies have evaluated the chronic dietary influence on vascular function. De Roos et al. [Endothelial dysfunction often occurs along with elevated BP, with an inverse relationship observed between BP and vascular function as assessed by FMD [The purpose of this study was to assess the vascular impact, measured via FMD, PWV, and BP, of 5 weeks of high-fat ground beef (HFB) or low-fat ground beef (LFB) consumption in men. Our central hypothesis was that there would be no significant difference in FMD and PWV measures following the beef interventions, but that the added MUFAs of the HFB intervention would lower BP relative to the LFB intervention. Exploratory analyses were completed on dietary outcomes, aerobic fitness, and energy expenditure.