IHA co-hosts Protein Summit 3.0
Protein scientists discuss the current and future state of protein research
Protein Summit 3.0 brought together more than 100 of the world’s leading dietary protein scientists to Texas A&M University to discuss the current state of evidence-based research in animal- and plant-based dietary protein.
The Texas A&M AgriLife Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture, IHA, helped host top global nutrition leaders for the summit to examine the evidence, identify knowledge gaps and improve research practices to advance the field.
Advancing the science of protein
Protein Summit 3.0’s theme was “Protein’s Role in Public Health: A Scientific Dialogue.” The conversations focused on rigorous evidence standards and scientific discourse to inform protein guidance, and sought to identify knowledge gaps to improve protein research.
Teresa Davis, Ph.D., director of the IHA, said “The Protein Summit 3.0 is informing the future of health by improving our understanding of healthy ranges of protein intake. We’re optimizing health by connecting agriculture, food systems and nutrition.”
This progress builds upon two decades of work as Protein Summit 1.0 took place in Charleston, South Carolina, in 2007 with an objective to critically evaluate the existing evidence. Following this, Protein Summit 2.0 was convened in 2013 in Washington, D.C., welcoming 60 nutrition researchers and health experts to continue the investigation of dietary protein’s role in human health.
Informing future research
Davis said Protein Summit 3.0’s systematic evaluation of the evidence for protein intake ranges that promote health is the latest step in this iterative process. Across four working groups – protein density and essential amino acid requirements, weight management and diet quality, cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic health, and musculoskeletal health – researchers examined where the evidence is strong and where questions remain.
Support for the summit
Protein Summit 3.0 was co-organized by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, with additional support provided by the Alliance for Potato Research and Education, American Egg Board, American Meat Science Association, American Pistachio Growers, National Dairy Council, National Pork Board and Soy Nutrition Institute Global with support from the United Soybean Board.
