Sponsor
Vicki Motz, Ph. D
Ohio Northern University
Biological and Allied Health Sciences
v-motz@onu.edu
Advisor(s)
Vicki Motz, Ph. D
Ohio Northern University
Biological and Allied Health Sciences
v-motz@onu.edu
Rema Suniga, Ph. D
Ohio Northern University
Biological and Allied Health Sciences
r-suniga@onu.edu
Document Type
Video
Start Date
24-4-2020 9:00 AM
Abstract
A vegan diet has been linked to nutritional deficiencies and consequential physiological effects given the differential amino acid components of plant vs. animal-based proteins. Oxygen consumption and work performed was measured by an indirect calorimetry for healthy self-identifying vegan students (N=8) and omnivores (N=8) while riding an exercise bike for five minutes. Energy expenditure and metabolic efficiency of each participant was calculated and a one-tailed t-test assuming equal variances was used to compare the metabolic efficiencies of the two groups. Additionally, a two-tailed t-test was used to compare the differences of workloads within each test group. An association was identified between veganism and a higher metabolic efficiency during light exercise when compared to an omnivore group, while vegans demonstrated no metabolic advantage when moderate exercise was performed.
Recommended Citation
O'Conke, Danielle; McEwen, Bryanna; and Seeley, Makenna, "Plant-Based Diet Increases Metabolic Efficiency" (2020). ONU Student Research Colloquium. 12.
https://digitalcommons.onu.edu/student_research_colloquium/2020/papers/12
Restricted
Available to ONU community via local IP address and ONU login.
Plant-Based Diet Increases Metabolic Efficiency
A vegan diet has been linked to nutritional deficiencies and consequential physiological effects given the differential amino acid components of plant vs. animal-based proteins. Oxygen consumption and work performed was measured by an indirect calorimetry for healthy self-identifying vegan students (N=8) and omnivores (N=8) while riding an exercise bike for five minutes. Energy expenditure and metabolic efficiency of each participant was calculated and a one-tailed t-test assuming equal variances was used to compare the metabolic efficiencies of the two groups. Additionally, a two-tailed t-test was used to compare the differences of workloads within each test group. An association was identified between veganism and a higher metabolic efficiency during light exercise when compared to an omnivore group, while vegans demonstrated no metabolic advantage when moderate exercise was performed.