If you’re trying to bulk up this summer, you may find yourself reaching for the protein shakes.
But a new study suggests that treating yourself to some Quorn sausages may be a better tactic to help build up those muscles.
Researchers from the University of Exeter have found that mycoprotein (the protein found in Quorn) builds muscle twice as fast as milk protein.
In the study, the researchers gave 20 healthy young men either milk protein or mycoprotein after a strenuous workout.
In the hours following this protein consumption, the participants’ muscle-building rates were then measured.
The results showed that those who ingested milk protein increased their muscle building rates by up to 60%.
However, those who had mycoprotein increased their muscle growth rates by more than double this.
Dr Benjamin Wall, an author of the study, said: “These results are very encouraging when we consider the desire of some individuals to choose non-animal derived sources of protein to support muscle mass maintenance or adaptations with training.
"Our data show that mycoprotein can stimulate muscles to grow faster in the hours following exercise compared with a typical animal comparator protein (milk protein) - we look forward to seeing whether these mechanistic findings translate to longer term training studies in various populations."
The findings come shortly after a study revealed the dangers of a popular fitness supplement, called ‘BCAAs’.
Researchers from the University of Sydney have revealed that BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids) are linked to reduced lifespan, mood changes, and weight gain.
