Vegetarian Nutrition (VN) DPG Public Library

Damasceno, Leitão, de Oliveira, et al.
Journal: British Journal of Nutrition
Published: 2023

Key Points

• Objective: Evaluate the effects of a plant-based diet on both aerobic and strength/power performance.

• Methods: This study is a meta-analysis and systematic review of electronic databases. Studies were included that investigated plant-based diets, had a physical performance protocol, and evaluated omnivorous diets as a control group. Based on inclusion criteria, four studies evaluated the effects of a plant-based diet on aerobic performance, and six studies evaluated the effects of a plant-based diet on strength/power in humans. The meta-analysis included a total of ten studies (36 trials and 293 subjects).

• Results: Vegan and vegetarian diets can be nutritionally adequate, but some adverse effects have been shown such as anemia, low vitamin B12, and decreased muscle creatinine.^1,2 Each of these components, individually or combined, could jeopardize athletic ability.³ Results showed that plant-based diets had a moderate effect on aerobic performance (effect size [ES]: 0·55; 95% CI 0·29, 0·81) and no effect on strength/power performance (ES: –0·30; 95 % CI −0·67, 0·07). Pooling the data showed no change in athletic performance (ES: 0.01; 95%CI: -0.21, 0.22). A plant-based diet had a small negative effect on BMI (–0·27; 95 % CI −0·40, –0·15). Additionally, data showed that individuals who consume a plant-based diet have lower BMI, which is linked to better health and body composition which may impact overall athletic performance.⁴

• Limitations: People who follow a plant-based diet are typically health-conscious and practice healthy lifestyle behaviors such as exercising, abstaining from smoking, limiting alcohol, and prioritizing sleep. These all have positive effects on performance.⁵ Therefore, it is difficult to disentangle the synergistic effects of health-related behaviors besides diet on athletic performance.

Conclusion

Results of this systematic review and meta-analysis showed only a moderate effect of plant-based diets on aerobic exercise performance and no effect on strength/power compared to individuals consuming omnivorous diets. While there may be weight-related and environmental advantages to following a plant-based diet, findings suggest that plant-based athletes can obtain similar athletic performance standards as omnivores with a balanced diet and proper training.

 References

1. Haddad EH, Berk LS, Kettering JD, et al. (1999) Dietary intake and biochemical, hematologic, and immune status of vegans compared with nonvegetarians. Am J Clin Nutr 70, 586S–593S.

2. Rogerson D (2017) Vegan diets: practical advice for athletes and exercisers. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 14, 36.

3. Dinu M, Abbate R, Gensini GF, et al. (2017) Vegetarian, vegan diets and multiple health outcomes: a systematic review with meta-analysis of observational studies. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 22, 3640–3649.

4. Aragon AA, Schoenfeld BJ, Wildman R, et al. (2017) International society of sports nutrition position stand: diets and body composition. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 14, 16.

5. Deriemaeker P, Alewaeters K, Hebbelinck M, et al. (2010) Nutritional status of Flemish vegetarians compared with non-vegetarians: a matched samples study. Nutrients 2, 770–780.