Nutrients. 2026 Mar 21;18(6):998. doi: 10.3390/nu18060998.

ABSTRACT

The increasing popularity of carnivore and animal-based diets among athletes has generated substantial interest, despite limited direct scientific evidence supporting their efficacy and safety in sport-specific contexts. This narrative review critically evaluates the current evidence and examines the physiological, performance, and health-related implications of these dietary models in athletic populations. These dietary models, characterized by the partial or complete exclusion of plant-derived foods, are often promoted on the basis of mechanistic arguments, anecdotal reports, and extrapolations from research on ketogenic and very low-carbohydrate diets. However, their physiological relevance, long-term health implications, and compatibility with the demands of athletic training remain poorly defined. This narrative review provides a critical perspective on the current evidence related to carnivore and animal-based diets in sport, integrating findings from studies on low-carbohydrate, ketogenic, high-protein, and elimination-based dietary patterns. The analysis focuses on metabolic adaptations, body composition, exercise performance, gastrointestinal function, micronutrient adequacy, hormonal responses, and potential long-term health risks. Particular attention is given to the distinction between metabolic adaptations and functional performance outcomes, as well as to the high interindividual variability in dietary responses. The available evidence suggests that while carbohydrate restriction may induce specific metabolic adaptations, such as increased fat oxidation, these changes do not consistently translate into improved performance, particularly in high-intensity or high-volume training contexts. Moreover, the highly restrictive nature of carnivore and animal-based diets raises concerns about micronutrient deficiencies, alterations in the gut microbiota, changes in the lipid profile, and potential effects on eating behaviours, particularly in competitive athletic populations. Given the absence of well-controlled, long-term intervention studies in athletes, carnivore and animal-based diets cannot currently be recommended as safe or optimal nutritional strategies for sports performance. Rather than representing viable alternatives to established sports nutrition guidelines, these dietary models may be better understood as experimental or short-term tools within highly controlled research or diagnostic frameworks. Future research should prioritize rigorous, sport-specific study designs, long-term safety outcomes, and personalized approaches that account for individual metabolic and physiological variability.

PMID:41901173 | PMC:PMC13029088 | DOI:10.3390/nu18060998

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