Jeffrey Salazar
Gorillas are strong and muscular despite their vegetarian diet and sedentary lifestyle. They have unique gut bacteria that efficiently convert cellulose (plant matter) into energy and synthesize amino acids, which support muscle growth. Additionally, gorillas have different hormone profiles than humans, which contribute to their muscle mass. While bodybuilders can also build muscle on a vegetarian diet, they may face challenges due to potential amino acid deficiencies in common plant-based foods.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Amount of food consumed | Adult male gorillas consume up to 18kg of vegetation daily, while the average human male consumes 1.5-2kg. |
| Gut bacteria | Gorillas have gut bacteria that efficiently converts cellulose (plant matter) into energy and synthesises amino acids, which support muscle growth. |
| Hormone profiles | Gorillas' muscle development is influenced by their hormone profiles, which differ from those of humans. |
| Protein and amino acid sources | Gorillas obtain essential amino acids from plants, which provide sufficient protein for muscle synthesis. |
| Caloric basis | Western vegetarian diets may be deficient in certain amino acids, impacting muscle mass gain. |
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What You'll Learn
- Gorillas have gut bacteria that can convert cellulose into energy
- They consume large amounts of vegetation, up to 18kg per day for adult males
- Their hormones do the heavy lifting, unlike humans who need physical activity to build muscle
- Gorillas have a high phytonutrient intake, reducing muscle fibre cell rupturing
- They consume appropriate amounts of essential amino acids, which are found in plants. Western vegetarian diets are often deficient in amino acids
Gorillas have gut bacteria that can convert cellulose into energy
Gorillas are able to maintain their muscle mass on a vegetarian diet because they have gut bacteria that can convert cellulose (plant matter) into energy. This is in addition to their ability to synthesise amino acids, which supercharges their muscle mass.
The gut bacteria in gorillas are better at converting cellulose into energy than those in humans. This allows gorillas to extract more energy from the large amounts of vegetation they consume, which can be up to 18 kg of vegetation per day for an adult male gorilla. In comparison, the average human male consumes only 1.5-2 kg of vegetation per day.
The gut bacteria in gorillas have co-evolved with their host, allowing them to efficiently break down cellulose, a complex carbohydrate found in plant cell walls. This process releases glucose, which is then used as a source of energy for the gorilla's body.
Additionally, gorillas have a different hormone profile compared to humans, which contributes to their muscle development. For example, Belgian blue bulls are extremely muscular due to selective breeding that results in lower levels of myostatin, a protein that inhibits muscle development.
While it is true that human bodybuilders can also maintain muscle mass on a vegetarian diet, it is important to note that the essential amino acids required for muscle synthesis must be consumed in sufficient quantities. Most plants provide enough protein per calorie, and all the essential amino acids can be found in sufficient quantities in various plants. However, maintaining muscle mass on a vegetarian diet may be more challenging due to the potential deficiency of certain amino acids in some plant-based foods, such as grains, rice, wheat, oats, and maize.
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They consume large amounts of vegetation, up to 18kg per day for adult males
Gorillas are able to maintain their muscle mass despite their vegetarian diet due to the large amounts of vegetation they consume, up to 18kg per day for adult males. This is equivalent to a human male consuming 8-9kg of vegetation, a significant increase from the average 1.5-2kg consumed by men and women.
Gorillas have evolved to have gut bacteria that efficiently convert cellulose (plant matter) into energy and synthesise amino acids, which support muscle growth. Their digestive systems are adapted to maximise nutrient extraction from plant-based sources. In contrast, humans have different intestinal processes and would be unable to consume and digest the same volume of vegetation as gorillas.
The high phytonutrient content in a gorilla's diet also contributes to their muscle development. Phytonutrients help reduce oxidative stress and minimise muscle fibre cell rupturing, preserving muscle health. Additionally, gorillas have different hormone profiles compared to humans, which contribute to their muscle growth without the need for intense physical activity.
While it is challenging for humans to replicate a gorilla's diet and muscle gains, it is important to note that human bodybuilders can successfully maintain muscle mass on a vegetarian diet. A sufficient intake of essential amino acids and energy is key to muscle synthesis during growth. However, it is worth noting that the caloric basis of many western vegetarian diets, including grains, rice, wheat, oats, and maize, may be deficient in certain amino acids, making muscle gain more difficult.
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Their hormones do the heavy lifting, unlike humans who need physical activity to build muscle
Gorillas are strong and muscular despite their vegetarian diet. They do not build muscle through physical activity but through their hormone profiles, which differ from those of humans. Belgian blue bulls, for instance, are extremely muscular because they produce less of the muscle-inhibiting protein, myostatin. Similarly, altering one's hormone profile can greatly alter muscle mass, as is the case with steroids.
Gorillas also have gut bacteria that are more efficient at converting cellulose (plant matter) into energy and synthesising amino acids, which are crucial for muscle mass. In contrast, humans would need to consume significantly more vegetation to obtain the same amount of energy and amino acids, which would be challenging due to our smaller stomachs.
Additionally, while gorillas have a lot of muscle mass, it is not proportionately more than humans. One study found that zoo gorillas had 37% muscle mass, while the average man has 42%, and the average woman, 36%. However, because gorillas weigh more than twice as much as humans, they have a lot more muscle overall, allowing them to potentially deadlift twice the weight of the world's strongest man.
It is important to note that human bodybuilders can also thrive on a vegetarian diet. Plants provide sufficient protein per calorie, and as long as essential amino acids are consumed in adequate amounts, there is no issue with muscle synthesis during growth. However, it is challenging to be a vegan bodybuilder and continuously gain muscle mass due to the potential amino acid deficiencies in vegetarian diets.
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Gorillas have a high phytonutrient intake, reducing muscle fibre cell rupturing
While it is unclear whether gorillas have a high phytonutrient intake, they do consume a lot of fruits and leaves, which are rich in phytonutrients. Phytonutrients are plant-based chemical compounds, also known as phytochemicals, that are accumulated in different parts of plants, especially as a result of secondary metabolism. They are known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and disease-protective properties.
Gorillas are folivorous primates, which means they primarily consume leaves. In some periods, they also consume carbohydrate-rich fruits, which can exceed 40% of their diet. During periods of fruit scarcity, they rely more on protein-rich leaves and herbaceous plants. This seasonal variation in their diet allows them to prioritize protein intake and maintain high levels of total macronutrient intake.
The high phytonutrient content in fruits and leaves may contribute to the overall health and maintenance of muscle mass in gorillas. Phytonutrients have been associated with reduced inflammation and improved cell communication, which may help reduce muscle fibre cell rupturing. Additionally, the antioxidant properties of phytonutrients can help protect cells from damage and support overall health.
It is important to note that gorillas have different digestive systems and hormone profiles than humans, which also contribute to their ability to maintain muscle mass on a vegetarian diet. Their gut bacteria are better at converting cellulose (plant matter) into energy and synthesizing amino acids, which support muscle growth and development. Therefore, it is the combination of their diet, digestive system, and hormones that allow gorillas to maintain their impressive muscle mass.
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They consume appropriate amounts of essential amino acids, which are found in plants. Western vegetarian diets are often deficient in amino acids
Gorillas are able to maintain their muscle mass on a vegetarian diet by consuming appropriate amounts of essential amino acids, which are found in plants. Amino acids are necessary to build proteins in an organism. While animal products are rich in protein, vegetarian diets can also provide adequate protein and amino acid intake. Mixing plant protein sources, as is typical in vegetarian diets, addresses any inadequacies found when studying single sources. For example, rice and beans together provide all nine essential amino acids, while rice or beans alone do not.
Western vegetarian diets are often thought to be deficient in amino acids, but this is a misconception. Protein-rich plant foods, such as legumes, nuts, and seeds, are sufficient to achieve full protein adequacy in adults consuming vegetarian or vegan diets. In fact, most vegetarians, including vegans, have an adequate or even high protein intake. However, some vegans may be at risk of having a lower protein intake than the estimated requirement, and low protein intake can also be a sign of energy intake deficiency.
It is important to note that the amino acid content in plants varies greatly due to the vast variation in the plant world, and plants generally have lower protein content than animal food. Some plant-based foods, such as sprouts, mangoes, pineapples, limes, and melons, contain few or no essential amino acids. On the other hand, nuts, seeds, beans, and peas contain significant quantities of essential amino acids.
While gorillas do consume essential amino acids from plants, their bodies also differ from humans in other ways that contribute to their muscle mass. Gorillas have gut bacteria that are more efficient at converting cellulose (plant matter) into energy and synthesising amino acids. Additionally, gorillas have different hormone profiles that contribute to their muscle development.
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Frequently asked questions
Gorillas have gut bacteria that are better at converting cellulose (plant matter) into energy and synthesising amino acids, which are essential for muscle mass. They also have different hormone profiles to humans, which contribute to their muscle growth.
Adult male gorillas can consume up to 18kg of vegetation every day, which is the equivalent of a human male eating 8-9kg.
Yes, humans can build muscle on a vegetarian diet as plants provide enough protein per calorie. However, it is important to ensure sufficient intake of all essential amino acids and to consume more energy than expended daily.
