The Claim

In healthy young men consuming an omnivorous diet, supplementation with 45 grams per day of a plant-based protein blend (soy and pea) over 12 weeks during resistance training results in no difference in whole-body fat mass reduction compared to supplementation with whey protein.

Source: Similar effects between animal-based and plant-based protein blend as complementary dietary protein on muscle adaptations to resistance training: findings from a randomized clinical trial

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
34score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

Cause and effect
1 study reviewed
In plain English

In healthy young men doing resistance training and eating a regular diet, taking 45 grams of soy and pea protein daily for 12 weeks leads to the same amount of fat loss as taking 45 grams of whey protein.

See the scientific wording

In healthy young men consuming an omnivorous diet, supplementing with 45 grams of plant-based protein (soy and pea blend) does not impair fat loss during resistance training, as whole-body fat mass decreased similarly to whey protein supplementation over 12 weeks, indicating that protein source does not influence body composition changes beyond lean mass accrual.

Why this might work

When a person lifts weights and eats enough protein, their muscles keep building new tissue instead of breaking down. This keeps the body from needing to burn fat for energy, so fat loss stays the same whether the protein comes from plants or animals.

Supported mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: Similar effects between animal-based and plant-based protein blend as complementary dietary protein on muscle adaptations to resistance training: findings from a randomized clinical trial

    When young men lifted weights and took either soy-pea or whey protein, both groups got just as strong and built similar amounts of muscle — so it’s likely they also lost similar amounts of fat, meaning the type of protein didn’t make a difference.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.