The Game Changers Fact Check: A Scientific Review of Claims and Evidence

Since its release on Netflix, “The Game Changers” has sparked intense debate about plant-based diets, athletic performance, and optimal nutrition. The documentary makes bold claims about veganism’s superiority for health and physical performance, but how well do these assertions hold up under scientific scrutiny?

This comprehensive fact check examines the documentary’s major claims, separates science from speculation, and provides an objective look at what research actually reveals about plant-based and omnivorous diets.

Understanding “The Game Changers” Documentary

“The Game Changers” follows elite athletes who adopt plant-based diets, featuring interviews with fighters, weightlifters, and endurance athletes. The film’s central thesis suggests that vegan diets are optimal for athletic performance, heart health, and overall wellness while portraying animal products as detrimental to health.

Produced by James Cameron and Arnold Schwarzenegger, among others, the documentary gained widespread attention for its compelling storytelling and high-profile athletes. However, its scientific accuracy has faced substantial criticism from nutrition researchers and health professionals.

Claim #1: Plant Proteins Are Superior to Animal Proteins

What the Documentary Says

The film suggests that plant proteins are superior to animal proteins for building muscle and athletic performance, citing the strength of animals like gorillas and elephants as evidence.

What Science Actually Shows

The comparison to herbivorous animals is scientifically misleading. These animals have drastically different digestive systems and can synthesize essential amino acids that humans cannot produce.

Research demonstrates that both plant and animal proteins can support muscle growth and athletic performance when consumed in adequate amounts. However, animal proteins are “complete proteins,” containing all nine essential amino acids in optimal ratios, while most plant proteins are incomplete.

To obtain complete protein profiles from plants, vegans must consume varied sources including legumes, grains, nuts, and seeds throughout the day. This requires more careful planning than diets including animal products.

Claim #2: Meat Causes Heart Disease and Inflammation

The Documentary’s Position

“The Game Changers” argues that all animal products, including chicken and fish, promote inflammation and cardiovascular disease. The film features a demonstration showing athletes’ blood appearing “cloudy” after eating meat.

The Scientific Reality

This claim oversimplifies complex nutritional science. The relationship between meat consumption and heart disease depends heavily on the type of meat, preparation method, and overall dietary pattern.

Research distinguishes between processed meats (bacon, sausage, deli meats) and unprocessed meats. Processed meats are associated with increased cardiovascular risk, while unprocessed lean meats show no such association when consumed as part of balanced diets.

Regarding inflammation, fatty fish like salmon are actually anti-inflammatory due to their omega-3 content. The Mediterranean diet, which includes fish and moderate amounts of poultry, consistently ranks among the healthiest dietary patterns and shows anti-inflammatory effects.

The blood cloudiness demonstration shown in the film lacks scientific rigor. Blood lipid levels are influenced by numerous factors and cannot be accurately assessed through visual inspection hours after a single meal.

Claim #3: Vegan Diets Optimize Athletic Performance

Documentary’s Argument

The film showcases several elite vegan athletes and suggests their plant-based diets give them competitive advantages through improved recovery, endurance, and strength.

Evidence-Based Assessment

While the documentary features impressive vegan athletes, anecdotal evidence doesn’t prove causation. Elite athletes exist across all dietary patterns, from vegan to carnivore-focused diets.

Controlled research comparing plant-based and omnivorous diets for athletic performance shows no significant difference when protein, calories, and micronutrients are matched. Performance depends more on total energy intake, macronutrient balance, hydration, and training quality than whether protein sources are plant or animal-based.

The athletes featured in “The Game Changers” have access to sports nutritionists, personal chefs, and supplementation programs that ensure optimal nutrient intake—resources unavailable to most people. Their success likely stems from meticulous nutrition planning rather than veganism itself.

Claim #4: Humans Are Naturally Herbivorous

Film’s Assertion

“The Game Changers” suggests humans evolved to eat primarily plants, citing our teeth structure and digestive system as evidence.

Anthropological Evidence

This claim contradicts established anthropological research. Humans are omnivores with anatomical and physiological adaptations for consuming both plant and animal foods.

Archaeological evidence demonstrates that humans have hunted and consumed meat for at least two million years. The addition of nutrient-dense animal foods to human diets likely contributed to brain development during evolution.

Traditional human populations worldwide have thrived on vastly different diets—from the high-fat, animal-based diets of Arctic populations to the plant-heavy diets of certain tropical cultures. This dietary flexibility suggests humans can adapt to various nutritional approaches rather than being designed for one specific diet.

Claim #5: Vegan Diets Prevent Cancer

Documentary’s Statement

The film claims that red meat causes cancer while vegan diets protect against it.

Research Context

Large-scale studies do show modest cancer risk reduction associated with vegan diets—approximately 15% lower risk for all cancers combined. However, the documentary’s portrayal of this relationship lacks nuance.

The cancer-meat connection primarily involves processed meats, not unprocessed red meat. When research isolates unprocessed red meat from processed varieties, the association with colorectal and other cancers becomes much weaker or disappears entirely.

Additionally, cancer development involves multiple factors including genetics, environmental exposures, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and overall dietary patterns. Attributing cancer prevention solely to avoiding meat oversimplifies this multifactorial disease.

Plant-based diets’ cancer-protective effects likely stem from high fiber, antioxidant, and phytochemical intake rather than merely the absence of meat.

What “The Game Changers” Gets Right

Despite its limitations, the documentary accurately highlights several important points:

Whole Food Plant Foods Are Beneficial

The film correctly emphasizes that vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds provide essential nutrients, fiber, and protective compounds. Most Americans would benefit from eating more of these foods.

Processed Meats Carry Health Risks

The documentary’s warnings about processed meats align with scientific consensus. Regular consumption of bacon, sausages, and deli meats is associated with increased disease risk.

Plant-Based Diets Can Be Nutritionally Adequate

The film demonstrates that well-planned vegan diets can support health and athletic performance, countering misconceptions that plant-based diets are inherently deficient.

Critical Limitations of the Documentary

Cherry-Picking Research

“The Game Changers” selectively presents studies supporting veganism while ignoring contradictory research. This creates a misleading impression of scientific consensus where none exists.

Unscientific Demonstrations

The film includes informal “experiments” measuring blood cloudiness and erectile function that lack scientific validity. These demonstrations don’t follow research protocols and prove nothing about dietary effects.

False Dichotomy

The documentary presents nutrition as vegan versus omnivorous, ignoring that health exists on a spectrum. Many dietary patterns support wellness, including Mediterranean, flexitarian, and vegetarian approaches.

Accessibility Concerns

By focusing on elite athletes with extensive support teams, the film underestimates challenges average people face when adopting vegan diets, including nutrient planning, food availability, and social situations.

Potential Nutritional Challenges of Vegan Diets

While vegan diets can be healthy, they require attention to specific nutrients:

Vitamin B12

This essential vitamin exists almost exclusively in animal products. Vegans must supplement or consume fortified foods to prevent deficiency, which can cause anemia and neurological problems.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

The active forms of omega-3s (EPA and DHA) are concentrated in fish. Plant sources provide ALA, which converts poorly to EPA and DHA. Vegans may benefit from algae-based supplements.

Iron and Zinc

Plant-based iron and zinc have lower bioavailability than animal-based forms. Vegans need higher intakes and strategic food combinations to optimize absorption.

Complete Protein

Obtaining all essential amino acids requires combining various plant proteins throughout the day. Athletes and active individuals need especially careful planning.

Who Should Consider Plant-Based Diets?

Good Candidates

Well-planned vegan diets can work well for healthy adults willing to educate themselves about nutrition, plan meals carefully, and potentially use supplements.

Populations Requiring Caution

Certain groups should exercise particular care with vegan diets:

• Pregnant and breastfeeding women: Have increased nutrient needs that require careful planning on vegan diets
• Infants and children: Need specific nutrients for growth and development; parents should consult pediatricians and dietitians
• Older adults: May have difficulty absorbing certain nutrients and maintaining muscle mass without careful planning
• People with eating disorders: Restrictive diets may exacerbate disordered eating patterns

Anyone considering significant dietary changes should consult healthcare providers or registered dietitians, especially those with existing health conditions.

Evidence-Based Approach to Healthy Eating

Rather than advocating for one “perfect” diet, nutrition science supports several healthy dietary patterns:

Common Elements of Healthy Diets

• Emphasis on whole, minimally processed foods
• Abundant vegetables and fruits
• Adequate protein from varied sources
• Healthy fats from nuts, seeds, fish, or plant oils
• Whole grains and fiber-rich carbohydrates
• Limited added sugars and highly processed foods
• Moderate calorie intake appropriate for activity level

Flexible Approaches

You don’t need to be strictly vegan to eat healthfully. Research supports various dietary patterns including:

• Mediterranean diet: Emphasizes plants while including fish, poultry, and dairy
• Flexitarian diet: Primarily plant-based with occasional meat
• Whole food omnivorous diet: Includes all food groups with emphasis on quality and minimally processed choices

Making Informed Dietary Decisions

When evaluating nutrition claims from documentaries, books, or social media, consider these questions:

• Does the source cite peer-reviewed research from reputable journals?
• Are they presenting both sides of scientific debates?
• Do they acknowledge limitations and uncertainties in the evidence?
• Are there potential conflicts of interest or financial motivations?
• Do claims seem too good to be true or overly simplistic?

Nutrition science is complex and evolving. Be skeptical of sources promoting one “perfect” diet while demonizing others.

Practical Takeaways

Whether you choose plant-based, omnivorous, or somewhere in between, focus on these evidence-based principles:

• Prioritize whole foods: Base meals on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds
• Limit processed foods: Minimize refined grains, added sugars, and ultra-processed items regardless of whether they’re vegan
• Ensure adequate protein: Meet your needs through varied sources appropriate for your dietary pattern
• Plan for key nutrients: Address potential deficiencies through food choices or supplements as needed
• Consider sustainability: Choose dietary patterns that you can maintain long-term
• Personalize your approach: What works for elite athletes may differ from what works for you

The Bottom Line

“The Game Changers” successfully brings attention to plant-based eating and showcases that vegan diets can support high-level athletic performance. However, the documentary’s scientific claims require critical examination.

While vegan diets offer legitimate health benefits, the film oversells these advantages while misrepresenting or ignoring evidence about other dietary patterns. Its approach of cherry-picking studies, conducting unscientific demonstrations, and making absolute claims undermines its credibility.

The truth is less dramatic than the documentary suggests: both well-planned plant-based and omnivorous diets can support health and athletic performance. No single dietary approach is optimal for everyone.

Rather than viewing “The Game Changers” as definitive nutritional guidance, treat it as one perspective in ongoing nutritional discussions. Make dietary decisions based on comprehensive evidence, personal health needs, ethical considerations, and practical sustainability.

If you’re considering significant dietary changes, especially adopting a vegan diet, consult with healthcare providers or registered dietitians who can help you plan nutritionally adequate meals and monitor for potential deficiencies.

Ultimately, the best diet is one that provides adequate nutrition, supports your health goals, aligns with your values, and that you can maintain over the long term—whether that includes animal products or not.

Sources:

• National Institutes of Health – Plant-Based Diets and Cardiovascular Health
• PubMed Central – Vegetarian and Vegan Diets in Athletic Performance
• National Library of Medicine – Nutritional Considerations for Vegan Athletes
• PubMed Central – Meat Consumption and Health Outcomes
• NIH Office of Dietary Supplements – Vitamin B12 Fact Sheet
• National Institutes of Health – Plant-Based Diets and Chronic Disease Prevention
• British Nutrition Foundation – Dietary Guidelines