Study compares muscle mass gains in vegetarian and omnivorous diets

A clinical trial conducted in Amsterdam, Netherlands, has compared the effects of vegetarian and omnivorous diets on muscle mass gains in older adults. The study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, followed 108 participants aged 55 and older over a 12-week period.

While both groups participated in resistance training three times per week and met protein intake requirements of at least 1.2 grams per kilogram of body weight, the omnivorous group showed significantly higher muscle mass increases. The meat-consuming group gained approximately 0.66 kilograms of muscle in their arms and legs, whereas the vegetarian group gained approximately 0.38 kilograms, a difference of about 70%.

Despite the difference in muscle mass, researchers found no statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding physical performance or strength, such as leg press strength and the ability to rise from a chair quickly.