Health Benefits of a High Protein Diet

Protein is a macronutrient which plays a crucial part in everyday life. It helps form muscle, produce hormones, strengthen skin and bones and transport nutrients. It’s so important, you may even think more protein equals a stronger you. It consists of  22 amino acids and including the nine amino acids which come from the food that we might consume. It also helps in production of cells, aiding and repairing of muscles, and growth of the body.
 
We have heard a lot of talk about protein and whether or not high consumption of protein is good for one or not. Many perceive that consumption of protein could be harmful. Today we will break that myth.

Benefits of High Protein Diet

1. Muscle Building

Muscles depend on protein for growth and repair. The amount of protein you consume directly affects the process of your growth and development. Adding a regular workout will fasten the process and you will be able to notice your progress much faster. Consuming protein rich meals like chicken, tofu, sprouts and soya will make the development more efficient.  Once muscle definition is improved, a daily adequate amount of protein will help prevent any muscle loss from occurring.

2. Metabolism booster and fat burner

Consumption of a high protein diet can help improve your sluggish metabolism. Slow metabolism can lead to weight gain, lethargic behaviour and slow or inadequate burning of calorie burning which get stored as fat. Another benefit of a high protein diet is that it tends to lower the glycemic index score. In simpler terms, it lowers the insulin and does not raise the blood sugar level.

3. Weight Loss

With a high protein diet your metabolism becomes more efficient which ultimately means reduction in calories and cravings. Of course, losing weight is just the beginning. Maintaining weight loss is a much greater challenge for most people. A modest increase in protein intake has been shown to help with weight maintenance. In one study, increasing protein from 15% to 18% of calories reduced weight regain by 50%.

4. Controls Cholesterol & Blood Pressure

High blood pressure and cholesterol can lead to various heart diseases, strokes, and chronic kidney disease. Studies show that consumption of protein can lower such risks. Cholesterol is a fatty substance made by the liver. HDL is considered as good cholesterol whereas LDL needs to be controlled. A protein rich diet helps with that. This is most likely because those on a high-protein diet are less likely to eat foods loaded with sugar and saturated fats.

 5. Good for your Bones

Most long-term studies indicate that protein, including animal protein, has major benefits for bone health. People who eat more protein tend to maintain bone mass better as they age and have a much lower risk of osteoporosis and fractures. This is especially important for women, who are at high risk of osteoporosis after menopause. Eating plenty of protein and staying active is a good way to help prevent that from happening.

 

CONCLUSION

Protein is vital to the body and is required for many different bodily functions. Everyone has different daily protein requirements depending on age, weight, and lifestyle. However, individuals on high-protein diets gain benefits such as weight loss, increased muscle mass, lower body fat percentages, and reduced chances of developing diabetes.