The effect of animal and vegetable protein intakes of individuals doing strengthening exercise on greenhouse gas emissions and water footprint

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of animal and vegetable protein intake on greenhouse gas emissions and water footprint of individuals performing strength training. A total of 52 (50,0% female, 50,0% male) volunteers between the ages of 19-64 who did strength exercises were included in the study. A face-to-face questionnaire was administered to participants whose average age was 26,4±6,1 years. In this study, the diets that the participants followed were compared with the diets prepared by a sports nutrition dietitian for the same individuals in accordance with the International Society of Sports Nutrition guidelines and specific to them. Anthropometric measurements such as body weight, height, waist, hip and mid-upper arm circumference were taken. The diets actually practiced by the individuals themselves were considered as the study group and the diets prepared by the dietitian were considered as the simulation group. These two groups were compared in terms of energy and nutritional values such as animal, vegetable and total protein contents, dietary fiber, fat and carbohydrates. The findings showed that animal protein intake was 100,9 g in men and 61,4 g in women. Total protein intake is 138,3 and 86,9 g in men and women, respectively (p<0,05). In the study group, men's daily emissions are 3,7 CO₂-eq./kg and water footprint are 6,7 m³/ton, while women's are 1,8 CO₂-eq./kg and 4,5 m³/ton (p<0,5). The greenhouse gas emission is 2,6 in the study group and 1,6 CO₂-eq./kg/day in the simulation. While water footprint scores were 5,7 in the study group, they were found to be 4,6 m³/ton/day in the simulation. The greenhouse gas emissions and water footprint contribution of the simulation diets were found to be significantly lower than the study group (p<0,05). As the animal, plant and total protein, energy, saturated fat and carbohydrate content of the diet increases, emissions and water footprint increase. Emission and water footprint scores of the study group with high animal protein intake were found to be significantly higher (p<0,05). The fact that the protein supply ratio from animal/plant sources is close to one reduces individuals' nutrition-related emissions and water footprint scores.