Replacing Meat With Legumes in a Mediterranean Diet

This study will investigate whether replacing grass-fed organic meat with legumes within a Mediterranean diet affects cardiometabolic health in healthy adults. Participants will be randomly assigned to follow a Mediterranean diet that includes either grass-fed organic meat or legumes as the main protein source for 8 weeks. The study will compare changes in blood cholesterol, blood glucose, inflammation, blood pressure, and other health measures between the two groups. The main outcome will be the change in LDL cholesterol, a type of cholesterol associated with cardiovascular health. The study will include healthy adults aged 25 to 65 years living in the Community of Madrid, Spain.

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18-65 years. * Body mass index (BMI) 18.5-29.9 kg/m². * No previous diagnosis of cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, or chronic inflammatory disease. * Habitual consumption of meat and willingness to follow the assigned dietary intervention. * No vegetarian or vegan diet during the previous 6 months. * Ability to provide written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Use of lipid-lowering, antihypertensive, or antidiabetic medication. * Pregnancy or breastfeeding. * Allergy or intolerance to legumes or meat. * Significant gastrointestinal disorders. * No tobacco use.