The Game Changers Documentary: A Comprehensive Fact-Check and Scientific Review

Since its release on Netflix, “The Game Changers” has sparked intense debate in the nutrition and fitness communities. The documentary, which promotes plant-based eating for athletes, has been praised by some and criticized by others for its portrayal of vegan diets versus omnivorous eating patterns.

If you’re wondering whether the claims in this influential documentary hold up under scientific scrutiny, you’re not alone. Millions of viewers have questioned whether they should switch to a plant-based diet based on what they saw in the film.

This comprehensive review examines the science behind “The Game Changers,” separating fact from fiction and providing an objective analysis of its most significant assertions.

Overview of The Game Changers Documentary

“The Game Changers” follows elite athletes who have adopted vegan diets, including UFC fighter James Wilks, strongman Patrik Baboumian, and several professional football players. The film presents a compelling narrative suggesting that plant-based diets are superior to those containing animal products.

The documentary makes several bold claims about vegan diets, including that they can:

• Enhance athletic performance and recovery
• Improve cardiovascular health more effectively than omnivorous diets
• Reduce inflammation throughout the body
• Lower cancer risk significantly
• Increase blood flow and improve sexual function

While the film presents these ideas with confidence, it’s essential to examine whether the scientific evidence supports such sweeping conclusions.

Valid Points Made by The Game Changers

Despite criticisms, “The Game Changers” does get several important facts correct about plant-based nutrition.

Adequate Protein from Plant Sources

The film accurately demonstrates that well-planned vegan diets can provide sufficient protein for athletes and active individuals. Plant-based protein sources like legumes, quinoa, tofu, tempeh, and seitan can meet the body’s protein requirements when consumed in adequate quantities and variety.

Research confirms that athletes can maintain muscle mass and strength on plant-based diets when total protein intake and essential amino acids are properly managed through diverse food choices.

Cardiovascular Benefits

Multiple studies support the film’s assertion that plant-based diets can benefit heart health. Vegan and vegetarian eating patterns have been associated with lower blood pressure, reduced cholesterol levels, and decreased risk of cardiovascular disease compared to typical Western diets high in processed foods and red meat.

Plant-based diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes provide abundant fiber, antioxidants, and phytonutrients that support cardiovascular function.

Environmental and Ethical Considerations

While not the primary focus of this review, the film’s discussion of the environmental impact of animal agriculture and ethical concerns about animal welfare represents legitimate issues that many people consider when making dietary choices.

Questionable Claims and Methodological Concerns

Despite its strengths, “The Game Changers” has been widely criticized by nutrition scientists and researchers for several problematic aspects.

Cherry-Picking Scientific Evidence

One of the most significant criticisms of the documentary is its selective presentation of research. The film highlights studies that support plant-based diets while ignoring substantial evidence about the benefits of including certain animal products in a balanced diet.

The documentary presents observational studies as definitive proof while downplaying their limitations. Observational research can show associations but cannot prove causation, and many studies on diet and health are confounded by numerous lifestyle factors.

Informal “Studies” Lacking Scientific Rigor

Perhaps most problematic are the informal experiments conducted during the film itself, including:

• Measuring blood cloudiness in athletes after eating different meals
• Monitoring nocturnal erections in college football players

These demonstrations were not peer-reviewed studies with proper controls, randomization, or adequate sample sizes. They cannot be considered reliable scientific evidence, yet the film presents them as meaningful findings.

Absolute Stance Against All Animal Products

The documentary takes an extreme position by suggesting that all animal products—including fish, chicken, and eggs—are harmful to health. This claim contradicts extensive research showing that certain animal foods can be part of healthy dietary patterns.

The Mediterranean diet, for example, includes fish, poultry, and dairy in moderation and is consistently ranked among the healthiest eating patterns based on comprehensive scientific evidence.

Fact-Checking Specific Claims About Heart Health

The film strongly emphasizes the cardiovascular benefits of plant-based eating, but the complete picture is more nuanced.

Cholesterol and Lipid Profiles

While vegan diets do tend to lower total and LDL cholesterol (often called “bad” cholesterol), they also typically reduce HDL cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol that helps remove LDL from arteries). The film fails to mention this important detail.

Additionally, the impact on triglycerides—another important cardiovascular marker—appears minimal with vegan diets alone. Some research suggests that diets including fatty fish may more effectively lower triglycerides due to omega-3 fatty acid content.

The Real Culprits in Heart Disease

What “The Game Changers” doesn’t adequately address is that highly processed foods, excess sugar, and refined carbohydrates may pose greater cardiovascular risks than unprocessed animal products.

A vegan diet high in processed meat alternatives, white bread, sugary beverages, and vegan desserts is unlikely to provide cardiovascular benefits compared to a balanced omnivorous diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins.

Examining the Inflammation Claims

The documentary asserts that animal products, including chicken and fish, cause inflammation while plant foods reduce it. This oversimplification misrepresents the complex relationship between diet and inflammation.

Anti-Inflammatory Animal Foods

Research clearly demonstrates that certain animal products have anti-inflammatory properties:

• Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines are rich in omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), which are potent anti-inflammatory compounds
• Eggs contain antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin
• Grass-fed beef provides conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which may have anti-inflammatory effects

Pro-Inflammatory Plant Foods

Conversely, not all plant foods reduce inflammation. Highly processed vegan products, refined vegetable oils high in omega-6 fatty acids, and foods with added sugars can promote inflammatory processes regardless of being plant-based.

The quality and processing level of foods matters far more than whether they come from plants or animals when assessing inflammatory potential.

Cancer Risk: What Does the Research Really Show?

The film’s claims about cancer and diet require careful examination.

Processed Versus Unprocessed Meats

It’s true that processed meats like bacon, sausage, hot dogs, and deli meats have been classified by the World Health Organization as Group 1 carcinogens, meaning there’s strong evidence linking them to increased cancer risk, particularly colorectal cancer.

However, unprocessed red meat falls into a different category (Group 2A – probably carcinogenic), with much weaker and more inconsistent evidence. When research separates unprocessed red meat from processed varieties, the cancer association often disappears or becomes statistically insignificant.

Plant-Based Diets and Cancer Prevention

While plant-based diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains do appear protective against certain cancers, this benefit likely comes from what these diets include (fiber, antioxidants, phytonutrients) rather than solely from what they exclude (animal products).

Cancer development involves multiple factors including genetics, environmental exposures, lifestyle habits, and overall dietary patterns over many years. No single dietary change can guarantee cancer prevention or risk.

Athletic Performance: Are Vegan Athletes Superior?

One of the documentary’s central themes is that plant-based diets enhance athletic performance, but the scientific evidence doesn’t support this claim as strongly as the film suggests.

What Research Actually Shows

Well-designed studies comparing athletic performance between vegans and omnivores show minimal differences when diets are matched for calories, protein, and key nutrients. Neither eating pattern appears inherently superior for:

• Strength and power output
• Endurance capacity
• Recovery time
• Body composition changes

The elite vegan athletes featured in the film likely succeed because of their dedication to training, optimal nutrition planning, access to sports nutritionists, and genetic advantages—not simply because they avoid animal products.

The Reality for Average Athletes

The athletes in “The Game Changers” have resources most people lack: personal chefs, nutrition consultants, supplement protocols, and time to carefully plan every meal. For the average person trying to meet athletic goals, a vegan diet requires significantly more planning and attention to ensure adequate nutrient intake.

This doesn’t mean veganism is impossible for athletes, but the documentary creates unrealistic expectations by making it appear effortless.

Historical and Evolutionary Arguments

The film suggests humans are naturally designed for plant-based eating, citing our teeth structure and digestive systems. This claim oversimplifies human evolutionary history.

Evidence of Omnivorous Evolution

Anthropological and archaeological evidence clearly indicates that humans evolved as omnivores:

• Our digestive system differs significantly from true herbivores, lacking multiple stomach chambers and having relatively short intestinal tracts
• Humans produce stomach acid similar to carnivores and omnivores, much more acidic than herbivores
• Archaeological evidence shows meat consumption throughout human evolution
• The development of larger human brains has been linked to increased dietary fat and protein availability

Dietary Diversity Across Cultures

Healthy human populations throughout history have thrived on vastly different diets, from the high-meat Inuit diet to the plant-heavy traditional Okinawan diet. This adaptability suggests humans can be healthy on various eating patterns rather than a single “optimal” diet.

Nutrient Deficiency Risks on Vegan Diets

While “The Game Changers” downplays the challenges of vegan nutrition, several nutrients require careful attention on plant-only diets.

Critical Nutrients to Monitor

Vitamin B12: This essential nutrient is virtually absent from plant foods. All vegans should supplement with vitamin B12 or consume fortified foods regularly to prevent deficiency, which can cause neurological damage.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: While plant sources like flaxseeds and walnuts provide ALA omega-3s, the body converts these to EPA and DHA (the forms in fish) very inefficiently—often less than 5%. Algae-based supplements can help vegans meet needs for these crucial fats.

Iron: Plant-based iron (non-heme iron) is absorbed much less efficiently than iron from meat (heme iron). Vegans need to consume nearly twice as much iron and pair plant iron sources with vitamin C to enhance absorption.

Zinc: Similar to iron, zinc from plant sources is less bioavailable. Vegans may need 50% more zinc than omnivores to achieve the same functional levels.

Vitamin D: Few foods naturally contain vitamin D, and vegan sources are even more limited. Supplementation or adequate sun exposure is essential for most vegans.

Calcium: Without dairy products, vegans must carefully plan to include calcium-fortified foods or supplements to maintain bone health.

Creatine and Carnosine: These compounds, found primarily in meat, support muscle function and brain health. Vegans typically have lower levels and may benefit from supplementation, especially if athletically active.

Special Populations and Vegan Diets

While healthy adults can thrive on well-planned vegan diets, certain populations face additional challenges.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Pregnant and nursing women have increased nutritional needs. A vegan diet during these periods requires careful planning and likely supplementation to ensure adequate intake of protein, iron, calcium, vitamin B12, vitamin D, DHA omega-3s, and other nutrients critical for fetal development and infant health.

Women considering vegan diets during pregnancy should work closely with healthcare providers knowledgeable about plant-based nutrition.

Infants and Children

Growing children have high nutrient needs relative to their body size. While older children can thrive on properly planned vegan diets, infants require extremely careful attention to ensure adequate calories, protein, and essential nutrients.

Vegan diets for children should only be undertaken with guidance from pediatric nutrition specialists to prevent growth delays or nutrient deficiencies that could affect development.

Older Adults

As people age, protein requirements increase to maintain muscle mass, but digestive efficiency often decreases. Older adults following vegan diets may need to pay extra attention to protein intake and consider supplementation for nutrients like vitamin B12, vitamin D, and calcium to maintain bone and muscle health.

What Constitutes a Healthy Diet?

Rather than taking sides in the vegan versus omnivore debate, evidence-based nutrition science points to several principles that characterize healthy eating regardless of dietary pattern.

Emphasize Whole, Minimally Processed Foods

Whether plant-based or omnivorous, healthy diets prioritize foods in their natural or minimally processed state:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Whole grains rather than refined grains
• Legumes, nuts, and seeds
• Unprocessed or minimally processed proteins (whether plant or animal)

Limit Added Sugars and Ultra-Processed Foods

Excessive sugar consumption and highly processed foods pose health risks regardless of whether they’re vegan or contain animal products. A diet of vegan cookies, chips, and fake meats is unlikely to be healthier than a balanced omnivorous diet rich in vegetables and whole foods.

Include Adequate Protein and Healthy Fats

Sufficient protein intake supports muscle maintenance, immune function, and satiety. Healthy fats from sources like olive oil, avocados, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish (for omnivores) provide essential fatty acids and support nutrient absorption.

Focus on Nutrient Density

The healthiest diets emphasize foods that provide substantial vitamins, minerals, fiber, and beneficial compounds relative to their calorie content. Both plant and animal foods can be nutrient-dense when chosen wisely.

Bias and Conflicts of Interest

It’s worth noting that “The Game Changers” was produced by individuals with vested interests in promoting plant-based eating, including investments in plant-based food companies.

While the film criticizes the meat industry for funding research, it doesn’t disclose similar potential conflicts related to the growing plant-based food industry, which has become a multi-billion-dollar market.

Objective nutrition science should consider all high-quality evidence regardless of whether it supports or contradicts a particular dietary ideology.

Making an Informed Decision

So should you adopt a vegan diet based on “The Game Changers”? The answer depends on your individual circumstances, goals, values, and willingness to carefully plan your nutrition.

Good Reasons to Consider Plant-Based Eating

• Ethical concerns about animal welfare
• Environmental sustainability considerations
• Personal health goals that align with plant-based eating patterns
• Cultural or religious beliefs
• Interest in expanding culinary variety with more plant foods

Important Considerations Before Going Vegan

• Are you prepared to carefully plan meals to meet all nutrient needs?
• Will you take necessary supplements (at minimum B12, likely others)?
• Do you have access to diverse plant-based foods and products?
• Have you consulted with a knowledgeable healthcare provider or dietitian?
• Are you willing to invest time in learning about plant-based nutrition?

Balanced Approaches

Many people find that a middle ground works best—reducing animal product consumption without eliminating it entirely. Approaches like the Mediterranean diet, flexitarian eating, or “reducetarian” patterns can provide many health benefits while allowing more flexibility and easier nutrient adequacy.

The Bottom Line on The Game Changers

“The Game Changers” succeeds in showcasing inspiring athletes and highlighting that well-planned vegan diets can support high-level athletic performance. The documentary also correctly identifies several potential health benefits of plant-based eating.

However, the film significantly overstates its case by:

• Selectively presenting research that supports its agenda while ignoring contrary evidence
• Making absolute claims that aren’t supported by the totality of scientific evidence
• Demonizing all animal products without acknowledging their potential role in healthy diets
• Presenting informal demonstrations as meaningful scientific evidence
• Downplaying the challenges and potential pitfalls of vegan diets
• Creating an unrealistic impression that veganism is easy and universally optimal

The scientific consensus supports that multiple dietary patterns can promote health, including well-planned vegan diets, vegetarian diets, Mediterranean-style diets, and other balanced approaches that emphasize whole foods.

Your optimal diet depends on your individual health status, nutritional needs, lifestyle, values, and preferences. Rather than accepting the black-and-white narrative presented in “The Game Changers,” consider the full spectrum of scientific evidence and consult with qualified healthcare providers or registered dietitians when making significant dietary changes.

The best diet is one you can maintain long-term that meets your nutritional needs, supports your health goals, and aligns with your values—whether that’s vegan, omnivorous, or somewhere in between.

Sources:

• PubMed Central – National Institutes of Health
• National Institutes of Health
• NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
• USDA FoodData Central
• World Health Organization
• American Society for Nutrition
• American Heart Association