Plant-based Diet in Athletes: A Game Changer or Just a Trend?

Abstract

Introduction: Nowadays, a plant-based diet is gaining increasing popularity. Guidance onadopting this diet can be found in scientific literature, as well as through social media andadvertisements promoting a wide range of new products appearing on store shelves. Byreviewing scientific sources, we decided to analyze the principles of a plant-based diet, itsassociated benefits, as well as the potential negative aspects of its implementation,particularly among athletes.Aim of the study: This review aims to analyse the literature concerning the impact of a plant-based diet on accomplishments, endurance, and health, especially for athletes.Materials and methods: The authors conducted an extensive review of available articles onPubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane, UpToDate, Google Scholar, and Pubmed databases, usingkeywords such as vegan, vegetarian, plant-based,, civilization diseases, healthy lifestyle,athletes, strength, accomplishments, endurance. Studies accessed between 2016-2024 wereincluded in this review.Results and conclusions: A plant-based diet is a valuable option for athletes, offeringbenefits such as improved recovery, reduced oxidative stress, and alignment with sustainablepractices. When properly planned to address potential nutrient deficiencies, it can effectivelysupport athletic performance, including strength and endurance, without compromisinghealth. Thus, for athletes seeking ethical, health-conscious, or environmentally sustainabledietary patterns, a plant-based diet is indeed worth considering.