The Game Changers – Debunked
In recent years, the documentary “The Game Changers” has taken the world by storm, promoting a plant-based diet and making bold claims about its benefits for athletes and overall health. However, as with many things in the world of health and nutrition, there has been a lot of debate and controversy surrounding these claims. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at “The Game Changers” and the evidence behind its arguments, examining whether it lives up to the hype or if some of its claims have been debunked.
Full write up:
Below are links to the different research data used in this video
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https://www.themanual.com/outdoors/ultra-runner-zack-bitter-100-mile-low-carb/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27322029
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The Game Changers – Debunked
Introduction
The Game Changers is a 2018 documentary that claims meat-based diets are unhealthy and that plant-based diets are the cure-all for human health and athletic performance. The movie features interviews with athletes who follow plant-based diets and claims to be based on science. However, many scientists and nutrition experts have criticized the film for being misleading and lacking scientific rigor. In this article, we debunk some of the claims made in The Game Changers.
The Claims ##
Claim 1: Only plant-based diets can provide enough protein
The Game Changers claims that plant-based diets can provide all the protein needed for athletic performance. While it’s true that some plant-based foods contain protein, there is no evidence to suggest that animal-based proteins are inferior. In fact, animal-based proteins contain all the essential amino acids that the body needs and is more easily absorbed.
Claim 2: Meat consumption leads to cancer and heart disease
The Game Changers highlights a study suggesting that meat consumption leads to cancer and heart disease. However, these claims are misleading and lack scientific rigor. The study featured in the movie was an observational study, which can only show correlation, not causation. Moreover, the study itself showed that red meat did not increase the risk of heart disease or cancer when consumed in moderation.
Claim 3: Plant-based diets improve athletic performance
The Game Changers claims that plant-based diets can improve athletic performance. While some athletes follow plant-based diets and have had success, there is no evidence to suggest that plant-based diets are better than meat-based ones. In fact, studies have shown that meat consumption can increase muscle mass and strength, which is important for athletic performance.
The Reality
Reality 1: Both plant and animal proteins are important
Both plant and animal proteins are important for maintaining good health. Animal-based proteins are more easily digestible and contain all the essential amino acids needed for muscle growth and repair. On the other hand, plant-based proteins can provide important micronutrients and fiber that animal-based proteins lack.
Reality 2: Meat consumption in moderation is not harmful
Meat consumption in moderation is not harmful to human health. In fact, red meat contains important micronutrients such as iron and zinc that are difficult to get from plant-based sources. However, excessive consumption of red meat has been linked to increased risk of cancer and other health problems.
Reality 3: Plant-based diets can be healthy, but aren’t always
Plant-based diets can be healthy, but they aren’t always. A well-planned plant-based diet can provide all the necessary nutrients needed for good health. However, some plant-based diets lack important micronutrients such as vitamin B12, which is only found in animal-based foods. Moreover, some plant-based diets may be too high in processed foods, which can be harmful to health.
Conclusion
The Game Changers may have some useful insights on plant-based diets, but it lacks scientific rigor and misleads viewers in many ways. The reality is that both plant and animal proteins are important for good health and that meat consumption in moderation is not harmful. A well-planned diet, regardless of whether it is plant- or animal-based, should provide all the necessary nutrients for good health.
FAQs
- Is a plant-based diet better for the environment?
- While plant-based diets are often touted as being better for the environment, this is not always the case. Studies have shown that some plant foods require more land and resources to produce than animal foods.
- Can a plant-based diet provide enough iron?
- Plant-based diets can provide enough iron, but the type of iron found in plant foods is less easily absorbed than the type found in animal foods. This means that vegetarians and vegans may need to consume more iron to meet their daily requirements.
- Does meat cause inflammation in the body?
- While some studies have suggested that meat consumption may cause inflammation, others have found no link between this and meat intake. Moreover, some cuts of meat contain anti-inflammatory compounds.
- Can a plant-based diet provide enough protein for athletes?
- While some plant-based foods contain protein, there is no evidence to suggest that plant-based proteins are superior to animal-based proteins for athletic performance. Athletes need sufficient protein to build and repair muscle, and animal-based protein is more easily absorbed by the body.
- Is it possible to gain muscle on a vegetarian or vegan diet?
- Yes, it is possible to gain muscle on a vegetarian or vegan diet. However, vegetarians and vegans may need to consume more protein than meat eaters to meet their daily requirements. Moreover, they may need to combine different plant-based protein sources to ensure that they are getting all the essential amino acids their body needs.