Thread by @fleroy1974

"Animal-source foods are believed to contain the #meatfactor, a substance enhancing the absorption of micronutrients from plant-based foods"

academic.oup.com/advances/advan…

"it has been suggested that peptides, phospholipids &
mucopolysaccharides released during digestion of muscle tissue contribute in facilitating #iron uptake by mediating the formation of readily absorbable ferric oxohydrate nanoparticles"

But: "the enhancement in nonheme iron absorption is not at all influenced by the presence of heme in the muscle tissue [..] heme-free beef and heme-free chicken protein maintained the enhancing effect on nonheme iron absorption"

"we could not identify a mechanism through which the meat factor could enhance #zinc absorption. However, the evidence [is] suggesting that the difference in absorption is likely attributable to the protein source"

However: "evidence on the effect of animal source foods on #phosphorus, #calcium, #magnesium and #manganese absorption from plant-based meals is weak, as too few studies have investigated these micronutrients, & results are inconclusive"

"consuming #fish with a plant-based meal has similar benefits to red meat in terms of the meat factor, highlighting, therefore, that fish and small fish can be a sustainable alternative for animal source food inclusion into the diet"