The Difference Between Plant and Animal Protein – What’s the Difference?

There is a big difference between plant protein and animal protein. One may be more beneficial than the other. Many people are not sure of the benefits or effects of these two types of proteins. Some people prefer one over the other but there really isn’t a clear winner. Let’s find out about plant protein vs animal protein and why they make the difference and which one is better for you.

Amino Acid Profile

The main benefit of plant-based proteins is that they provide complete sources of complete amino acids (or peptides) which include cystine, lysine, arginine, methionine, glycine, tryptophan, histidine, and proline. This alone makes plant-based proteins superior to animal protein in terms of muscle building. When it comes to plant or vegetable protein vs animal protein both provide great results but overdoing on animal proteins also can have undesirable side effects like muscle deterioration, kidney damage, etc. All you have to do is just watch how much you put in your stomach. Also, animal protein has a much higher absorption rate when taken with food.

Best Sources of Plant & Animal Protein

Whey protein is the best example of an animal based protein. It is made from cow’s milk and is the most concentrated form of protein available on the market. Whey contains globular proteins (arginine, lysine, etc.) which are absolutely the best sources of energy for our muscles. Some of the other good animal sources of protein are egg or egg whites, fish, lean meats, white meat poultry, greek yogurt, cottage cheese etc. 

Plant-based whey is also the healthiest protein to take. It is very high in both healthy fat and amino acids. Soy, pea or whole grain is also an excellent source of complete protein (which is the compound your body requires to build muscle and repair tissue) which is more easily absorbed in your system than other forms of protein.

Soy Vs Whey Protein

Whey Protein:

The way whey is made has a lot to do with its effectiveness as a nutrition supplement. Whey is a simpler process, since it is made by using a combination of milk and water. Whey Protein has a rich amino acid profile. It not only helps in muscle recovery and growth but also helps in losing fat. One of the main benefits of whey protein is that it has a quick absorption rate. Whey protein consumed is quickly digested and easily absorbed by the body. Though whey protein is considered the best bodybuilding supplement, it is not a choice for some people because of their dietary preferences or food sensitivities.

Soy Protein:

It is a great alternative to whey protein, especially for those who want a plant protein. This protein source contains all nine essential amino acids. It has high amounts of arginine and glutamine.

Soy Protein powders contain 90% protein that actually have essential fatty acids, vitamins and fibres, making up the remaining 10%. To make soy protein isolate, soya beans are ground into a fine powder. The fiber, carbohydrate, and fat content are removed during processing to make 95 to 100% pure protein isolate. Extra nutrients are usually added to soy protein powders to improve their nutritional value, taste and texture. Soy Protein is the only plant-based protein that can help in increasing lean muscle tissue just like whey protein. 

Overall, both of the proteins are effective for building muscle, but there are a lot of differences between whey and soy proteins. There are many factors to be considered before deciding which one is more suitable for your requirements. 

Conclusion

The final conclusion we can draw from these few examples is that the choice between plant-based and animal-based protein really comes down to personal preference and the goal you have in mind for supplementing your diet. If you’re looking to bulk up and get lean quickly, you should definitely choose whey protein. If your goal is to build muscle and repair tissue, you’ll find that soy is a far superior choice.

While it may be true that whey is the superior choice when it comes to plant-based proteins vs animal-based proteins, there are other factors to consider as well. For example, soy has been viewed as a vegetarian food in some cultures. However recent research has shown that soy is actually just as high in protein (at least one hundred percent) as cheese. In fact, it has three times the amount of protein of cheese which is probably why the “vegetarians” designation is often linked to soy.

Overall, the decision between plant and animal-based protein is largely a matter of preference and health needs. The decision between plant and animal protein is mostly a matter of preference. The most important thing is /to choose a good quality protein source, it can be used as a mass gainer or pre-workout and make sure you’re getting the right amount of protein per day. That way you’ll get the best possible results from your workout or diet and avoid wasting money on ineffective supplements.

Do you prefer plant or animal based protein and why? Feel free to share with us in the comments section below. We would love to know your views on this.