My favorite part of the old Popeye cartoons was when he’d open up a fresh can of spinach, swallow the semi-fluid green mass in a singular gulp and then flex his muscles. It was best when a mini-cartoon would appear on the side of his bicep. Sometimes it was a bundle of dynamite about to explode or a volcano erupting and every now and then his biceps would just become anvil-shaped. And although the Popeye mythos is marred by a misconception about how much iron was actually in spinach, (A decimal point error led folks to believe that spinach had 35 milligrams of iron per serving instead of the actual 3.5 mg.) new research has shown time and time again how important plant-based nutrition is for athletic prowess.
A new study on the effects of protein on older adults published in the Journal of Nutrition reconfirms this premise. In this study, they compared the benefits of animal and plant protein. Protein from animals was associated with gainz of muscle mass, but protein from plants was linked to improved muscle strength. They believe that the advantages of plant protein come from its alkaline properties and/or is symptomatic of an improved diet.
From MedicalXpress:
“Many large studies suggest that those who eat diets high in animal foods have an increased rate of death and risk of diseases such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes, while plant-based diets reduce the risks of dying and chronic diseases,” she said.
The diets of many older people lack an adequate balance of protein, carbohydrates and fat, Heller said.
This study isn’t trying to undermine the muscle-gaining power of animal-based protein, but the researchers believe that protein intake should be balanced. Additionally it was noted that to build muscle and maintain strength, you’re still going to have to exercise.
For the best plant-based protein in town, we have ProPeas. It’s alkaline. It tastes great. It helps maintain muscle strength and assists with weight management.
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