PLANT-BASED DIET FOR HIGH-PERFORMANCE ATHLETES: A SCOPING REVIEW

Abstract

A sedentary lifestyle and consuming unhealthy food can lead to health and wellness issues, resulting in a low quality of life.  Nowadays, many references exist to living a much healthier life by eating only plant-based or vegetarian diets.  However, the literature review discussing vegan diet interventions for high-achieving athletes is unclear.  Therefore, this study aimed to analyze and evaluate studies on vegan diets in high-performance athletes in various countries.  Articles were obtained from two electronic databases, Sage and PubMed, then screened and identified according to the inclusion criteria according to the PRISMA ScR flow chart.  Articles reviewed were limited to those published in 2019-2023 and in English language only.  This systematic scoping review was conducted by the JBI methodology for scoping reviews and the Diffusion of Innovation Critical Appraisal Checklist.  A total of 9 original articles met the criteria, consisting of 4 literature reviews, one case study, two experimental study, one cross-sectional study, and one systematic review.  Review results reveal that a vegan diet is no better or worse when compared to a non-vegan diet for an athlete.  The results show that athletes who eat only plant-based foods can still perform as well as athletes who consume animal and plant-based foods.  Evaluation, careful planning, and the support of a nutritionist team are essential for a vegan diet.  For athletes whose sports utilize predominantly anaerobic energy systems, studies suggest creatine supplementation (plant-based) improves exercise performance in vegans to a greater extent than non-vegans.  Athletes who go vegan have nothing to lose; it just cannot be done significantly and suddenly.  Most of the reasons athletes adopt a plant-based diet are for a long-term healthy lifestyle.