Inserting proteins into every meal is an important strategy for increasing satiety, helping with the weight loss process, and promoting muscle mass gain. However, consuming this nutrient in excess throughout the day can pose risks to cardiovascular health.
The discovery comes from a study published on Monday (19) in the scientific journal Nature Metabolism and developed by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh, in the United States. According to research, having 22% of calories consumed daily being made up of proteins can increase the risk of atherosclerosis or even worsen the condition in those who are already diagnosed.
Atherosclerosis is characterized by the accumulation of fatty plaques and cholesterol in the artery walls, which restricts blood flow and can lead to heart attack and stroke.
How was the study carried out?
To reach the findings, the researchers used clinical studies on humans and experiments involving mice. The human studies had a total of 23 participants and were divided into two configurations, both involving two liquid meals (one with standard protein and one with high protein) spaced one to two weeks apart.
The first study setup involved 14 participants. In it, the standard meal contained 10% of total calories made up of proteins, 17% of fats and 73% of carbohydrates. The high-protein meal contained 50% of calories from protein, 17% from fat, and 33% from carbohydrates.
The second part of the study involved nine participants and aimed to imitate a scenario closer to reality. Therefore, the standard meal contained 15% of total calories from proteins, 35% from fat and 50% from carbohydrates. The high-protein meal had 22% of total calories made up of protein, 30% fat and 48% carbohydrates.
During research, scientists observed that leucine, an essential amino acid (that is, one that must be consumed through food), can contribute to the development and worsening of atherosclerosis when consumed in excess.
This abundance is achieved in high-protein meals, with more than 25 grams of the nutrient per meal or 22% of total calories being made up of protein. According to the authors, high levels of leucine activated a pathway in immune cells associated with atherosclerosis.
Regarding the study carried out with rats, the researchers created diets for the rodents with protein content that mimicked an average (15%) and high (22%) protein intake by a North American adult. According to the study, mice that consumed a high protein content per meal were also more likely to develop atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
The study authors concluded that high protein intake can contribute to heart disease and suggest that high-protein diets be followed with professional supervision and within dietary guidelines.
According to the WHO (World Health Organization), daily protein intake should be 0.8 grams to 1 gram per kilogram of body weight, for people who do not practice physical activities. For those who are more physically active, the amount can vary from 1 to 2 grams per kilo daily, depending on the activity performed.
Source: CNN Brasil
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