Indeed, unlike animal protein, plant protein has not been associated with increased insulinlike growth factor 1 levels28, 29 and has been linked to lower blood pressure,30 - 32 reduced low - density lipoprotein levels,32 - 34 and improved insulin sensitivity.35 Substitution of plant protein for animal protein has been related to a lower incidence of CVD36 - 39 and type 2 diabetes.40 - 42 Moreover, although a high intake of red meat, particularly processed red meat, has been associated with increased mortality in a
recent meta - analysis of 13 cohort studies, 43 high consumption of
nuts, a major contributor to plant protein, has been associated lower CVD and all - cause mortality.44 These results underscore the importance of protein sources for risk assessment and suggest that other components in protein - rich foods (eg, sodium, 45 nitrates, and nitrites46 in processed red meat), in addition to protein per se, may have a critical
health effect.