Plant-Based Diets: Considerations for Environmental Impact, Protein Quality, and Exercise Performance
Heidi Lynch1, Carol Johnston2, Christopher Wharton3
1Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego, CA 92106, USA. hlynch@pointloma.edu.
Nutrients
|December 6, 2018
Summary
Plant-based diets support athletic performance without disadvantages and offer health and environmental benefits. Further research is needed for elite athletes on these diets.
Area of Science:
- Sports Nutrition
- Environmental Sustainability
- Human Health
Background:
- Historically, animal proteins are considered essential for athletes.
- Concerns exist regarding the adequacy of plant-based diets for athletic performance.
- Plant-based diets offer physical and environmental health advantages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the impact of plant-based diets on athletic performance.
- To assess the effects on human physical health.
- To evaluate environmental sustainability aspects.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies.
- Analysis of research on plant-based diets and exercise capacity.
- Examination of environmental impact data.
Main Results:
- Plant-based diets do not appear to offer advantages or disadvantages for exercise performance compared to omnivorous diets.
- Plant-based diets are associated with reduced risk of chronic diseases.
- Plant-based diets require fewer natural resources than meat-containing diets.
Conclusions:
- Plant-based diets are viable for athletes, supporting performance and health.
- These diets contribute positively to environmental sustainability.
- More research is needed on elite athletes and specific dietary patterns (vegan, vegetarian).
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