Going Vegan for the Gain: A Cross-Sectional Study of Vegan Diets in Bodybuilders during Different Preparation Phases.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare nutritional intakes between vegan and omnivorous bodybuilders during bulking and cutting phases to assess the adequacy of a plant-based diet for muscle growth and maintenance.
Results Summary
Both vegans and omnivores had similar energy, carbohydrate, and fat intakes, but vegans reduced protein intake during cutting. Vegan bodybuilders may struggle to meet protein needs during caloric deficits, suggesting a need for professional nutritional planning.
Population
18 male and female natural bodybuilders (8 vegans, 10 omnivores).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
5 days per phase (bulking and cutting)
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
vegan diet | no change | all stages of the life cycle | - | - | might be appropriate | #1 |
plant-based diet | increase | muscle growth | athletes, particularly in bodybuilding | - | needs to be addressed to build a balanced diet | #2 |
nutritional intakes | no change | macro- and micronutrient intakes | natural omnivorous and vegan bodybuilders | - | were compared | #3 |
vegan diet | no change | energy, carbohydrate, and fat intakes | vegans and omnivores | - | behaved similarly | #4 |
vegan diet | decrease | protein intake | vegans | - | decreased | #5 |
vegan diet | decrease | protein needs | vegan bodybuilders | - | may find difficulties in reaching | #6 |
nutritional professionals' assistance | increase | bridge the gap between the assumed proteins and those needed to maintain muscle mass | vegan bodybuilders | - | might benefit | #7 |
Numerous athletes compete at a high level without consuming animal products; although a well-planned vegan diet might be appropriate for all stages of the life cycle, a few elements need to be addressed to build a balanced plant-based diet for an athlete, particularly in bodybuilding, in which muscle growth should be maximised, as athletes are judged on their aesthetics. In this observational study, nutritional intakes were compared in a cohort of natural omnivorous and vegan bodybuilders, during two different phases of preparation. To this end, 18 male and female bodybuilders (8 vegans and 10 omnivores) completed a food diary for 5 days during the bulking and cutting phases of their preparation. A mixed-model analysis was used to compare macro- and micronutrient intakes between the groups in the two phases. Both vegans and omnivores behaved similarly regarding energy, carbohydrate, and fat intakes, but vegans decreased their protein intake during the cutting phase. Our results suggest that vegan bodybuilders may find difficulties in reaching protein needs while undergoing a caloric deficit, and they might benefit from nutritional professionals' assistance to bridge the gap between the assumed proteins and those needed to maintain muscle mass through better nutrition and supplementation planning.