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Nutrition and Exercise Synergy in Non-Communicable Diseases

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Dear Colleagues,

Recent years have shown an increasing interest in maintaining an overall healthy condition, characterized by an improved life-span and health-span. This trend has motivated a large effort to investigate the mechanisms underlying the maintenance of an adequate physical fitness, and the search for measures to improve the quality of life. The most investigated strategies envisage the control of physical exercise and diet, which promote the maintenance of healthy conditions exploiting both common and distinct mechanisms. Regular physical activity has been demonstrated to produce significant physical and mental health benefits, playing a fundamental role in the prevention and management of noncommunicable diseases. In parallel, a balanced diet helps to maintain a healthy condition. Interestingly, recent data stress the presence of a fundamental connection between exercise and nutrition, because several nutrients (see antioxidants, supplements and others) exploit some common pathways with physical exercise. However, one strategy cannot completely replace the other, but instead they can exert synergistic effects resulting in a more powerful impact on health.

The present Special Issue aims to collect reviews, regular research papers and short communications, providing novel insights on the synergy of nutrition and exercise in human or animal studies that have relevance to human health.

Dr. Emiliana Giacomello
Dr. Luana Toniolo
Guest Editors

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21 pages, 609 KB

Open AccessReview

Sustaining Muscle, Cardiovascular Health, and the Environment: Is Plant-Based Protein the Key?

by Teresa Cannito, Alja Ivetac, Nicola Fiotti, Filippo Mearelli, Stefano Di Bella, Filippo Giorgio Di Girolamo and Gianni Biolo

Nutrients 2026, 18(9), 1446; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18091446 - 30 Apr 2026

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Abstract

Background/Objectives: Protein intake is a key determinant of skeletal muscle health across the lifespan, yet optimal strategies must also account for cardiometabolic health and environmental sustainability. Differences in digestibility and amino acid composition between plant and animal-based proteins may influence their capacity to stimulate muscle protein synthesis (MPS), particularly in aging. Methods: This narrative review integrates evidence from acute tracer studies, randomized controlled trials, and long-term observational research comparing plant versus animal-based proteins for preserving muscle while supporting environmental goals and cardiometabolic health across populations. PubMed and Google Scholar were searched from inception to 11 December 2025 (plant-based protein OR animal-based protein AND sarcopenia OR muscle protein synthesis), with citation tracking. In total, 80 relevant findings were identified. Results: Acute tracer studies show that, gram-for-gram, animal-based proteins (particularly whey/dairy) stimulate greater myofibrillar protein synthesis due to higher leucine density, digestibility, and more rapid aminoacidemia—an effect that is more pronounced in older adults with anabolic resistance. In younger individuals, these differences are largely attenuated when total protein intake is sufficient. Importantly, the anabolic potential of plant-based proteins can be enhanced through higher dosing, amino acid or leucine fortification, and complementary protein blending (e.g., cereals with legumes or use of high-DIAAS isolates). Consistent with this, longer-term resistance training studies demonstrate comparable gains in muscle mass and strength between plant- and animal-based diets when protein intake (≥1.0–1.2 g/kg/day; ≥1.2–1.5 g/kg/day in illness), per-meal distribution (~0.4 g/kg with ~3–4 g leucine in older adults), and energy intake are optimized. Beyond muscle outcomes, higher plant-based protein intake is associated with favorable cardiometabolic profiles and lower environmental impact. Conclusions: An age-specific, mixed protein approach is recommended, emphasizing plant-based proteins in younger adults and higher-quality, leucine-rich proteins in older individuals. Defining optimal plant-to-animal-based protein ratios remains a key research priority. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Exercise Synergy in Non-Communicable Diseases)

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