Rice and Beans + Exercise for Muscle Health

(CompProtein Trial)

Overseen By Nicholas A Burd (Associate Professor), PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Must not be taking: Thyroid, Androgenic, Corticosteroids, others

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Obesity, Mental illness, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to explore how rice and beans affect muscle health compared to isolated nutrients after exercise. Researchers seek to understand how these foods influence amino acid levels and muscle protein growth. Participants will consume both meals after workouts to determine which more effectively boosts muscle health. Ideal candidates are healthy, active adults aged 20 to 35 who have maintained a stable weight for the past six months. As an unphased trial, participants can contribute to groundbreaking research on nutrition and exercise.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial requires that you stop taking certain medications, especially those affecting protein metabolism, endocrine function, or muscle mass, such as prescription-strength corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, and certain dietary supplements, at least 6 weeks before participation.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that rice and beans are generally safe and easy to digest. They provide protein and fiber, aiding muscle recovery after exercise. Studies also indicate that plant-based proteins, like those in rice and beans, support muscle health and overall well-being when part of a well-planned diet.

The trial includes basic nutrients similar to those in a rice and beans meal. These nutrients include amino acids (components of proteins) and carbohydrates, resembling everyday foods and safe in the trial's amounts.

Overall, both rice and beans and these basic nutrients are considered safe for supporting muscle health when included in a balanced diet. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Rice and Beans + Exercise treatment for muscle health because it leverages a whole-food approach, providing a balanced mix of protein, carbohydrates, and minimal fat in a natural form. Unlike standard protein supplements or isolated nutrient drinks, this treatment uses a complete meal of rice and black beans, which may offer additional benefits like fiber and phytonutrients found in whole foods. This approach could potentially enhance muscle recovery and growth following exercise, offering a more holistic and accessible alternative to traditional supplementation.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for muscle health?

This trial will compare the effects of a rice and beans meal with isolated nutrients on muscle health. Research has shown that eating rice and beans together provides a complete protein, as rice supplies the nutrients that beans lack, and vice versa. This combination offers all the essential components needed for muscle growth. In one study with mice, a similar diet improved muscle mass and strength. Although this does not directly prove the same effect in humans, it suggests that this combination could enhance muscle health. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for young, healthy adults aged 20-35 who are interested in how plant-based foods affect muscle building after exercise. Participants should be willing to undergo resistance exercise and have blood and muscle samples taken.

Inclusion Criteria

Recreationally-active

I have not gone through menopause.

Weight stable for prior 6 months

Exclusion Criteria

I am not between the ages of 20 and 35.

Pregnancy

Irregular menstrual cycles (i.e., ~21 day or ~35 day cycle)

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Preliminary Testing

Participants undergo anthropometrics, resting metabolic rate testing, 10-repetition maximum testing, and habitual diet recording

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Infusion Trials

Participants receive stable isotope tracer infusions, perform resistance exercise, and ingest meals for analysis of protein synthesis rates

2 sessions, at least 7 days apart

2 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after infusion trials

1 week

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Isolated Mixture
• Resistance Exercise
• Rice and Beans

Trial Overview

The study tests whether eating rice and beans or just their basic nutrients (like amino acids) right after a workout affects muscle growth differently. Each participant will try both methods in separate sessions to compare results.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Rice and Beans (COMP) Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Rice and Beans After resistance exercise, participants will ingest a meal of 123g Rice, 123g Black Beans (246 g; 575kcal, 20 g Protein, 121 g Carbohydrate, 0.7 g Fat, 1.78 g Fat)

Group II: Isolated Nutrients (ISO) Active Control 2 Interventions

This condition is isonitrogenous and a similar nutrient profile to the experimental complementary mixed meal. The drink is comprised of crystalline amino acids, carbohydrate, fat, and fiber that is matched to rice and beans meal composition.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Lead Sponsor

Trials

203

Recruited

40,600+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a study involving ovariectomized mice on a high-fat diet, rice bran supplementation improved muscle mass and strength while reducing markers of muscle atrophy, indicating its potential to combat obesity-related muscle loss.

Rice bran also enhanced gut health by increasing the expression of tight junction proteins and promoting beneficial gut bacteria, suggesting it may help restore gut microbiota balance in estrogen-deficient conditions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Rice Bran Supplementation Ameliorates Gut Dysbiosis and Muscle Atrophy in Ovariectomized Mice Fed with a High-Fat Diet. Huang, PX., Yeh, CL., Yang, SC., et al.[2023]

Germinated brown rice (GBR) and brown rice (BRR) significantly reduced high-fat diet-induced increases in fasting plasma glucose, lipids, insulin resistance, and inflammation in mice, compared to white rice (WHR).

GBR specifically increased the abundance of beneficial gut bacteria, Lactobacillus gasseri, and improved metabolic health, suggesting that GBR may have unique probiotic effects not seen with BRR or WHR.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of Germinated Brown Rice and Brown Rice on Metabolism, Inflammation, and Gut Microbiome in High Fat Diet-Induced Insulin Resistant Mice. Zhao, R., Huang, F., Liu, C., et al.[2022]

In a study involving 59 volunteers, 30 days of soy protein supplementation significantly increased skeletal muscle volume in individuals with low physical activity compared to casein protein supplementation.

For bedridden patients, both soy and casein protein increased muscle volume, but soy protein led to greater improvements in knee extension strength, suggesting it may be particularly effective in preventing muscle atrophy due to immobilization.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of dietary soy protein on skeletal muscle volume and strength in humans with various physical activities. Hashimoto, R., Sakai, A., Murayama, M., et al.[2019]

The study aimed to compare the effects of post-exercise rice protein isolate and whey protein isolate on recovery and body composition, focusing on large, isocaloric doses.

It was hypothesized that rice protein isolate could potentially match or differ from whey protein in promoting muscle recovery and changes in body composition, highlighting the importance of protein source in resistance training outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of 8 weeks of whey or rice protein supplementation on body composition and exercise performance. Joy, JM., Lowery, RP., Wilson, JM., et al.[2021]

A 24-week study involving 120 healthy older adults (ages 65-74) found that combining black rice germ and bran supplements with an exercise program significantly reduced inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein and interleukin-6) and increased insulin-like growth factor-1 levels, indicating improved health.

The combined intervention also led to notable improvements in physical performance and muscle strength, including faster sit-to-stand times and increased walking speed, suggesting that this approach can enhance healthy aging and longevity.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Combined Black Rice Germ, Bran Supplement and Exercise Intervention Modulate Aging Biomarkers and Improve Physical Performance and Lower-Body Muscle Strength Parameters in Aging Population. Seesen, M., Semmarath, W., Yodkeeree, S., et al.[2020]

A 12-week lifestyle intervention using rice bran and navy bean supplementation significantly increased fiber intake by 73% and whole grain consumption by 270% among participants, indicating its potential effectiveness in improving dietary habits.

The study showed high compliance rates (92% for the rice bran plus navy bean group) and successful recruitment, suggesting that this intervention is feasible and warrants further investigation in larger trials for its impact on dietary and cancer prevention outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility of Beans/Bran Enriching Nutritional Eating For Intestinal Health & Cancer Including Activity for Longevity: A Pilot Trial to Improve Healthy Lifestyles among Individuals at High Risk for Colorectal Cancer. Leach, HJ., Baxter, BA., Beale, MN., et al.[2022]

A 4-week study involving 38 children aged 8 to 13 years showed that supplementation with navy bean powder (NBP) and rice bran (RB) was well-tolerated and significantly increased dietary fiber intake.

Children consuming NBP had higher levels of HDL-cholesterol compared to the control group, indicating potential cardiovascular benefits, although longer durations and higher intakes may be necessary for more significant lipid profile improvements.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Pilot Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial to Assess Tolerance and Efficacy of Navy Bean and Rice Bran Supplementation for Lowering Cholesterol in Children. Borresen, EC., Jenkins-Puccetti, N., Schmitz, K., et al.[2020]

A study involving nine healthy males aged 18 to 28 showed that a rice and bean diet can provide a balanced source of protein, with mean protein digestibility rates ranging from 69.2% to 75.5% depending on protein intake levels.

The research indicates that this diet can meet protein requirements effectively, with an estimated mean protein requirement of 103.8 mg N/kg body weight per day, supporting its use as a nutritious option for migrant workers.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Studies on the protein requirement of Brazilian rural workers ("boias frias") given a rice and bean diet. Vannucchi, H., Duarte, RM., Dutra de Oliveira, JE.[2015]

A pilot study involving 38 children with abnormal cholesterol showed that consuming navy beans and rice bran for 4 weeks significantly influenced 71 plasma metabolites, particularly affecting lipid metabolism, which could help reduce cardiovascular disease risk.

Navy bean consumption specifically decreased harmful free fatty acids and increased beneficial anti-inflammatory lipids, while rice bran also contributed to positive changes in plasma metabolites, indicating that these foods may have complementary effects on heart health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Navy Bean and Rice Bran Intake Alters the Plasma Metabolome of Children at Risk for Cardiovascular Disease. Li, KJ., Borresen, EC., Jenkins-Puccetti, N., et al.[2020]

A study of Chinese adults found that those following a balanced dietary pattern, which includes a variety of foods, had a lower risk of low muscle mass and strength, indicating its positive impact on muscle health.

Similarly, individuals adhering to a rice-meat dietary pattern also showed better muscle mass and strength, suggesting that both dietary patterns can contribute to maintaining skeletal muscle quality.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[The correlation of dietary patterns with low muscle mass, strength and quality in adults from 10 regions of China]. Liu, Q., Wu, M., Wen, QR., et al.[2021]

Animal proteins are generally more digestible than plant proteins, leading to better amino acid availability and more effective stimulation of muscle protein synthesis.

Modified plant proteins, such as isolated or blended forms enriched with essential amino acids, may achieve similar digestion and absorption rates as animal proteins, but further research is needed to confirm their effectiveness in reducing the risk of sarcopenia.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The role of dietary plant and animal protein intakes on mitigating sarcopenia risk. Carbone, JW., Pasiakos, SM.[2023]

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Grains like rice are low in an amino acid called lysine, whereas legumes like beans are high in lysine but low in methionine and cysteine.

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