Can plant proteins build muscle like animal proteins?
The Role of the Anabolic Properties of Plant- versus Animal-Based Protein Sources in Supporting Muscle Mass Maintenance: A Critical Review
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Plant proteins aren’t as good at building muscle as animal proteins because they don’t have as many of the important building blocks (amino acids) and your body doesn’t absorb them as well. But you can fix this by eating more plant protein or mixing it with some animal protein.
No biological mechanisms were identified in this study. This may be an epidemiological, observational, or survey-based study that reports associations rather than proposing causal biological pathways.
Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses
Max 100Randomized Controlled Trials
Max 90Cohort Studies
Max 72Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional Studies
Max 44Case Reports & Case Series
Max 30Expert Opinion & Narrative Reviews
Max 51 / 5
Evidence Score
Based on clinical experience or non-systematic literature reviews. The lowest level of evidence as they are most susceptible to bias and personal perspective.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Plant proteins aren’t as good at building muscle as animal proteins because they don’t have as many of the important building blocks (amino acids) and your body doesn’t absorb them as well. But you can fix this by eating more plant protein or mixing it with some animal protein.
No biological mechanisms were identified in this study. This may be an epidemiological, observational, or survey-based study that reports associations rather than proposing causal biological pathways.
Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses
Max 100Randomized Controlled Trials
Max 90Cohort Studies
Max 72Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional Studies
Max 44Case Reports & Case Series
Max 30Expert Opinion & Narrative Reviews
Max 51 / 5
Evidence Score
Based on clinical experience or non-systematic literature reviews. The lowest level of evidence as they are most susceptible to bias and personal perspective.
Publication
Authors
Berrazaga I, Micard V, Gueugneau M, Walrand S
Related Content
Claims (2)
Plant proteins might not help older people build or keep muscle as well as animal proteins because they're harder to digest and don't have as much of the important building blocks muscles need.
Eating more plant protein—like 60 grams of wheat protein in one meal—might help older adults build muscle just as well as smaller amounts of animal protein, like whey, even though plant proteins aren't as easily used by the body.