Life Kit Want to build muscle? Eat more plants
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Jun 26, 2025 
Joining the conversation is Will Stone, an NPR health correspondent with a keen interest in nutrition and fitness. He delves into groundbreaking research revealing that plant protein can match the muscle-building power of animal protein. Listeners will discover how a varied plant-based diet not only supports muscle growth but also enhances cognitive health and longevity. Will also discusses the optimal timing for protein intake and encourages a diverse range of plant sources to meet protein needs, debunking myths around animal protein supremacy.
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Muscle Building Needs Essential Amino Acids
- Muscle growth relies on essential amino acids from protein, which our bodies can't produce.
- Animal proteins naturally offer all these amino acids in the right amounts, making them effective for muscle building.
Plant Proteins Are Not Complete Alone
- Plant proteins can provide all essential amino acids, but some are in lower amounts compared to meat.
- Different plants lack certain amino acids, making it trickier to get complete muscle-building protein from plants alone.
New Studies Favor Plant Protein Equally
- Older studies showed animal protein superiority only in short-term muscle protein synthesis.
- Newer studies over weeks found no difference in muscle gains between plant-based and omnivore diets.