Macro partitioning
Animal protein provides a statistically significant advantage over plant protein for increasing percent lean mass, particularly in adults under 50 years of age, while absolute lean mass and muscle strength gains are generally equivalent between sources when total protein intake is adequate.
If you are under 50, choosing animal protein over plant protein may give you a slight edge in preserving lean tissue relative to your body weight, but it won't necessarily add more absolute muscle or strength if you eat enough total protein. For older adults, the source matters less than hitting your total protein targets. Focus on getting enough protein daily rather than obsessing over animal vs. plant source for strength outcomes.
Meta-analysis revealed that although consuming animal protein provided a favorable effect on absolute lean mass compared to plant protein, the result was not statistically significant... On the other hand, animal protein intake was found to produce a statistically significant increase in percent lean mass... there was a gain of 0.41 kg lean mass... and 0.50% lean mass... with animal protein intake among subjects <50 years
Why this rating
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 16 RCTs, though heterogeneity was noted in sensitivity analyses.
Source
Animal Protein versus Plant Protein in Supporting Lean Mass and Muscle Strength: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Meng Thiam Lim et al. · Nutrients · 2021
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