A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that protein from mushrooms can be just as effective as animal protein at supporting muscle building during resistance training. This fascinating study, carried out by researchers at the University of Exeter in Great Britain, was split into two phases. 

In the first phase, 16 healthy young adults completed a three-day diet where their protein was derived either omnivorous or exclusively vegan (predominantly from mycoprotein developed by the Quorn brand) sources.  They took detailed measures of metabolism during this phase.

In the second phase, 22 healthy young adults completed a 10-week, high-volume, progressive resistance training program while consuming a high-protein omnivorous diet or a vegan diet rich in mycoprotein.  The results showed comparable increases in muscle mass and strength in response to both diets, with no significant differences between the two.

This is not surprising since once the protein enters the stomach, it is broken down into the individual amino acids and it no longer matters whether the source was from an animal or a plant-based product. What does matter is that plant-based foods are anti-inflammatory, enabling faster recovery after a work out or from injuries.

It’s been known for a long time that vegans can easily build muscle mass, and in fact, some of the strongest bodybuilders in the world are vegan, including Karl Bruder who won the WABBA Grand Prix by taking first place in his category of Tall Men, and Patrick Baboumian, who holds world records for log lifts and overhead beer keg lifts. In addition, football players such as David Carter, and long distance ultramarathoners such as Scott Jurek, have set all kinds of records on a vegan diet.