Which nutrient is essential for muscle repair after exercise?

Protein is essential for muscle repair after exercise because it provides the building blocks known as amino acids that the body uses to repair and rebuild muscle tissue. After physical activity, especially resistance training, muscle fibers experience small tears. To recover and grow stronger, the body requires an adequate supply of amino acids to facilitate this repair process.

While carbohydrates are important for replenishing glycogen stores and energy levels after exercise, and fats are essential for various bodily functions including hormone production and energy, they do not directly contribute to muscle repair in the same way that protein does. Vitamins play crucial roles in numerous metabolic processes and can support overall health and recovery, but they do not serve the direct function of repairing muscle tissue. Thus, protein stands out as the vital nutrient specifically needed for muscle repair and recovery post-exercise.