Plant protein not inferior to meat, beef industry-funded study finds

A study funded by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association set out to prove that plant protein is inferior to meat protein but instead found that both types of protein build muscle in the same way. The researchers fed middle-aged women meals containing beef (complete protein), beans and bread (complementary protein), or just beans or bread (incomplete protein) and found that all meals stimulated muscle growth equally. The study, published in the Journal of Nutrition, debunked the outdated notion of ‘incomplete proteins’ and revealed that plant protein is not inferior to meat protein in terms of muscle-building capabilities.

Had the study gone as planned, the beef industry would have likely celebrated the findings in the media. However, it was a YouTuber named Mic the Vegan who brought attention to the surprising results. This study highlights that plant protein can be just as effective as meat protein in promoting muscle growth, challenging conventional beliefs and highlighting the potential for plant-based diets to be just as nutritionally effective as meat-based diets.