Data published in Sports Medicine showed that a plant-based diet composed of plant-based whole foods and soy protein isolate supplementation was as efficacious an omnivorous diet composed of mixed whole foods and whey protein supplementation for supporting muscle building and strength.
“This suggests that dietary protein source does not affect resistance training-induced adaptations in untrained young men, provided adequate amounts of protein are consumed,” wrote the researchers, led by Hamilton Roschel, PhD, from the Applied Physiology & Nutrition Research Group at the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The study was funded by the Research Support Foundation of the State of São Paulo (FAPESP).
IFF: It give us a little different message about this specific population
The study’s findings were welcomed by Barbara Peters, nutrition scientist, IFF, which supplied the soy protein isolate used in the study (formerly DuPont).
“The great findings from the USP study helps us to better understand in the field of muscle research. Until recently, whey protein was believed to be the optimal choice of protein. This new research from the university proves that soy protein supports the muscle just as well when supplemented with a plant-based diet. With a vegan group showing the same muscle gains as whey protein, it does give us a little different message about this specific population,” she said.
“With the promising results from this new study, it may encourage greater use in other categories such as dietary supplements and performance nutrition products with better-for-you options,” added Peters.