Final answer:
Plant proteins tend to make it more difficult to gain muscle compared to animal proteins because they are often incomplete proteins, lacking some essential amino acids.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary reason that plant proteins tend to make it more difficult to gain muscle compared to animal proteins is because they are often incomplete proteins. Incomplete proteins do not provide adequate amounts of all nine essential amino acids that the body needs for muscle growth.
Animal proteins, such as meat, fish, milk, and eggs, are examples of complete proteins that contain all the essential amino acids. Plant proteins, on the other hand, are typically incomplete and may lack certain essential amino acids. This means that if someone relies solely on plant proteins for their muscle-building needs.
They may not be getting all the necessary amino acids to support optimal muscle growth. However, it is still possible for individuals following a plant-based diet to gain muscle by combining different plant protein sources to ensure they are consuming all the essential amino acids.