The association of mycoprotein-based foods consumption with diet quality, energy intake and non-communicable diseases' risk in the UK adult population using the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) years 2008/09-2016/17: A cross-sectional study.

Mycoprotein is a fungal-based ingredient rich in fibre and protein used in meat-replacement foods sold under the name of Quorn in 17 countries. Fibre and protein positively regulate glycaemia, lipidaemia, energy intake which are non-communicable diseases' (NCDs) markers. We performed a cross-sectional study to investigate the association of mycoprotein intake with diet quality, nutrient, energy intake and NCDs risk within UK free-living adults from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) from years 2008/09-2016/17. Dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) and healthy diet index (HDI) were calculated to estimate diet quality. Comparison between mycoprotein consumers (>1% kcal) and non-consumers, and associations between consumers and nutrient intakes, NCDs' risk markers and diet quality were investigated using a survey-adjusted general linear model adjusted for sex, age, body mass index (BMI), ethnicity, socio-economic, smoking status, region of residency, total energy, energy density, HDI and non-mycoprotein fibre intake. 5507 adults were included, of which 3.44% were mycoprotein consumers and had a higher intake of dietary fibre (+22.18%,p<0.001), DASH score (+23.33%) and HDI (+8.89%) (p<0.001, both) and lower BMI (-4.77%,p=0.00) vs. non-consumers. There was an association (p=0.00) between mycoprotein consumers and diet quality scores (+0.19 and +0.26), high fibre (+3.17g), total and food energy (+3.09 and +0.22 kcal), but low energy density intakes (-0.08 kcal/g,p=0.04). Consumers were negatively associated with fasting blood glucose (-0.31 mmol/L,p=0.00), and glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (-0.15%,p=0.01). In conclusion, mycoprotein intake is associated with lower glycaemic markers and energy density intake, and high fibre, energy intake and diet quality scores.