Earlier this month, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a study concerning plant and animal protein—and the benefits of each. The pressing question researchers were looking for an answer to: does plant protein build muscles as well as meat protein? The short answer is yes.
The study recorded the health records of roughly 3,000 men and women ages 19 to 72. The participants were also asked to complete food questionnaires. This allowed researchers to examine participant’s total protein intake—as well as its specific sources. Participants’ lean muscle mass, bone mineral density and quadriceps strength were recorded.
Through comparison and analysis, researchers came to the conclusion that the source of protein—whether from plants or from meat—didn’t matter. What did matter was whether or not people were consuming enough protein overall.
Basically, more protein equals better muscle health. Furthermore, protein consumption is crucial, especially as a person ages—since people tend to lose muscle as they get older. Luckily, protein is easy to incorporate into an average diet.