# Future Protein Sources in Sports Nutrition: Sustainable Solutions​ **Authors:** Tuğba Tuna, Nesli Ersoy PMC · DOI: 10.1007/s13668-026-00734-8 · 2026-02-16 ## TL;DR This paper reviews alternative protein sources for sports nutrition, highlighting their sustainability and benefits for athletic performance. ## Contribution The paper evaluates the environmental and nutritional potential of alternative proteins for sports nutrition. ## Key findings - Alternative proteins reduce greenhouse gas emissions and water use compared to animal-based proteins. - They provide essential nutrients to support athletic performance and recovery. - Technological advances make these proteins viable replacements for conventional sources. ## Abstract This review evaluates the potential of alternative protein sources, including plant-based proteins, insect proteins, mycoproteins, microalgae, and cultured meat, in meeting the increasing demand for sustainable and functional protein solutions in sports nutrition. Studies indicate that alternative protein sources provide significant environmental benefits, such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions and lower water use, while delivering essential nutrients to support athletic performance and recovery. Advances in technology and production methods have further enhanced their feasibility as replacements for conventional animal-based proteins. Integrating alternative protein sources into sports nutrition offers a dual benefit: meeting athletes’ dietary requirements and supporting global sustainability goals. These protein sources pave the way for innovative, environmentally conscious dietary practices in sports nutrition, marking a pivotal shift toward a more sustainable future. ## Full-text entities - **Diseases:** inflammation (MESH:D007249), hyperlipidemia (MESH:D006949), obese (MESH:D009765), fatigue (MESH:D005221), overweight (MESH:D050177), muscle fragility (MESH:D005600), hyperinsulinemia (MESH:D006946), infection (MESH:D007239), allergic (MESH:D004342) - **Chemicals:** fat (MESH:D005223), oligopeptide (MESH:D009842), vitamin D (MESH:D014807), phosphorus (MESH:D010758), zeaxanthin (MESH:D065146), zinc (MESH:D015032), omega-3 (MESH:D015525), lactate (MESH:D019344), isoleucine (MESH:D007532), vitamin E (MESH:D014810), methane (MESH:D008697), Chitin (MESH:D002686), carbon (MESH:D002244), EPA (MESH:D015118), water (MESH:D014867), leucine (MESH:D007930), valine (MESH:D014633), Carotenoids (MESH:D002338), iron (MESH:D007501), vitamin A (MESH:D014801), essential amino acids (MESH:D000601), BCAA (MESH:D000597), nitric oxide (MESH:D009569), cholesterol (MESH:D002784), B-complex vitamins (-), potassium (MESH:D011188), PUFAs (MESH:D005231), Minerals (MESH:D008903), amino acid (MESH:D000596), thiamin (MESH:D013831), riboflavin (MESH:D012256), Fatty acid (MESH:D005227), malondialdehyde (MESH:D008315), lutein (MESH:D014975), polyphenols (MESH:D059808), CO2 (MESH:D002245), beta-carotene (MESH:D019207), Lipid (MESH:D008055), astaxanthin (MESH:C005948), DHA (MESH:D004281), vitamin B12 (MESH:D014805), nitrous oxide (MESH:D009609), magnesium (MESH:D008274), folic acid (MESH:D005492), reactive oxygen species (MESH:D017382), calcium (MESH:D002118) - **Species:** Limnospira platensis (species) [taxon 118562], Glycine max (soybean, species) [taxon 3847], Scenedesmus (genus) [taxon 3087], Gracilaria asiatica (species) [taxon 313411], Prototheca moriformis (species) [taxon 183676], Fusarium venenatum (species) [taxon 56646], Nannochloropsis (genus) [taxon 5748], Alphitobius diaperinus (lesser mealworm, species) [taxon 27448], Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (species) [taxon 3055], Lens culinaris (lentil, species) [taxon 3864], Acheta domesticus (house cricket, species) [taxon 6997], Powellomyces sp. EA (species) [taxon 252690], Haematococcus lacustris (species) [taxon 44745], Arthrospira (genus) [taxon 35823], Daucus carota (carrot, species) [taxon 4039], Dunaliella salina (species) [taxon 3046], Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606], Avena sativa (cultivated oat, species) [taxon 4498], Tetraselmis (genus) [taxon 3164], Limnospira maxima (species) [taxon 129910], Gryllodes sigillatus (species) [taxon 13551], Tenebrio molitor (yellow mealworm, species) [taxon 7067], PX clade (clade) [taxon 569578], Oryza sativa (Asian cultivated rice, species) [taxon 4530], Schizochytrium sp. (species) [taxon 1907177], Auxenochlorella protothecoides (species) [taxon 3075] ## Figures 2 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12909412/full.md --- Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12909412