The key facts
- Plant protein (legumes, grains, nuts, seeds) is associated with a reduced risk of sarcopenic obesity by approximately 14%
- The biological age of those who consumed more plant protein was on average 10–11 months lower
- No similar consistent association was found for animal protein; data from more than 15 thousand people, journal Frontiers in Nutrition
What the researchers found
Chinese scientists analyzed data from more than 15 thousand people, studying the relationship between the consumption of animal and plant protein, the risk of obesity, age-related muscle loss, and indicators of biological age. The results of the study were published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition.
Sarcopenic obesity
Sarcopenic obesity is a condition in which excessive accumulation of fat tissue is combined with a decrease in muscle mass and strength. It can impair mobility, increase the risk of falls, and make it difficult to perform everyday activities. Maintaining muscles is especially important with age, when their mass and functionality gradually decline.
Plant protein versus animal protein
Active consumption of protein from legumes, grains, nuts, and seeds was found to be associated with a reduced risk of these conditions by approximately 14%. No similar consistent association was found for animal protein. The pattern was especially pronounced among people with excess fat in the abdominal area. The biological age of those who consumed more plant protein was on average 10–11 months lower according to the calculated indicator.
Sources of plant protein and limitations of the conclusions
Plant protein is found in legumes, soy, lentils, chickpeas, nuts, seeds, and whole-grain products. Such food can also provide the body with fiber and other biologically active substances beneficial for metabolism and the cardiovascular system. The scientists emphasized that biological age is a calculated indicator reflecting the state of the body according to certain physiological or molecular parameters: it is not equivalent to a person's actual age and does not allow an accurate assessment of life expectancy.
