Protein foods, such as drinks, yogurts and protein bars, are increasingly considered practical options for intermediate meals, as a morning or afternoon snack. Often, these products are sold as healthy “snack” options for everyday life, but a new study has shown that this may not be true.
The work, published this month in the scientific journal Nutrientsanalyzed the content and healthiness of protein foods. To do this, researchers evaluated 4,325 processed foods of 12 different types. About 13% of them displayed protein claims on their packaging.
The highest proportion of foods considered protein was observed among plant-based meat products (68.2%), followed by bars (35.3%) and yogurt or dairy dessert substitutes (21.3%).
Additionally, approximately 60.4% of the foods analyzed had fortified proteins, with the highest rate being seen in plant-based bars and meats (90%). On the other hand, milk substitutes and yogurt substitutes or dairy desserts had the lowest fortification rates (7.9% and 3.3%, respectively).
Plant proteins were added more frequently to fortified items (41.7%) than animal proteins (25.9%). The most commonly added plant protein was gluten, followed by milk and soy proteins.
Protein products were considered “less healthy”
The study evaluated the nutritional quality of foods considered protein based on a nutritional profile model developed by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), of the World Health Organization (WHO).
The work revealed that around 90.8% of protein foods are classified as “less healthy” and more than 50% have a high fat and sodium content. Additionally, one in four items was high in free sugar and saturated fat, and one in five items had sweeteners.
In addition, when compared with foods without protein claims, protein foods presented 17% more “less healthy” items. The proportions of foods with high amounts of fat, sodium or sweeteners were also higher among foods with protein.
Conversely, the proportions of foods with high amounts of free sugar or saturated fat were lower among food items with protein claims.
Given the findings, the study authors consider the consumption of protein foods “represents an additional risk to our health that should never be justified by the presence of extra protein”. “This is particularly serious because consumers are often not aware of this risk and instead perceive these foods as healthy,” they say.
Additionally, researchers advise that consumers check the nutritional declaration and ingredients list of protein foods to make healthy choices.
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This content was originally published in Are protein drinks and bars healthy? Study responds on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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