Can a vegan diet build muscle as well as meat? trial puts it to the test
NCT ID NCT06423209
First seen Oct 08, 2026 · Last updated Oct 09, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
Researchers in Chile are comparing a vegan diet with an omnivorous diet, each combined with a 16-week remote strength training program, to see which better prevents or treats sarcopenia, the loss of muscle mass and strength with age. The study includes 83 adults aged 18 to 59 who have followed either diet for at least six months. Participants choose their diet group and whether to join the exercise program, then researchers measure changes in body weight, waist size, body fat, lean mass, and strength tests like biceps curls, handgrip, and vertical jump.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- vegan diet combined with a remote strength training program
- What this could lead to
- If the vegan diet plus strength training works as well as or better than an omnivorous diet, it could offer a plant-based way to help adults preserve muscle mass and strength as they age.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, non-randomized study where participants choose their own diet group, so the results may reflect other differences between the groups rather than the diets themselves. The findings may not apply to people with diabetes, kidney disease, or other health conditions.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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83 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Feb 2022
- Finished
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Oct 2022
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 59 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 18 to 59 years. * Residing in the Biobío or Araucanía regions of Chile. * Following a vegan diet or an omnivorous diet for at least 6 months. Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosed diabetes. * Uncontrolled hypertension (systolic blood pressure \>150 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure \>90 mmHg). * Undergoing cancer treatment. * Chronic kidney disease. * Health issues identified through the pre-exercise aptitude questionnaire (PAR-Q). * Participation in an exercise program. * More than 3 hours of vigorous exercise per week.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Richar Carcamo Regla
Concepción, Concepcion, 4030000, Chile
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