Proteins are essential macronutrients that are found virtually everywhere in your body, including muscle, bones, skin, and nails. Body, tissue and cell regulation cannot happen without proteins. Proteins repair and make new cells, protect the body from viruses and bacteria, and ensure proper growth.
Protein has a far-reaching effect on your body. It plays a major role in fortifying your bones, amping up your brain activity, repairing damaged tissue, relieving muscle soreness, and curbing hunger. Upping the amount of protein you consume daily is the best evidence-backed method to improve muscle gains. It is your secret weapon when you’re trying to shed some flab, because protein galvanizes your metabolism. By incorporating more of it into your diet, you’re giving your immune system a leg-up. As a result, your bolstered immune response will shield you from contracting a virus or a disease.
On average, you need 20-30 grams of proteins per meal. However, according to the U.S Department of Agriculture, the total amount of protein a person needs varies with age, gender, and level of physical activity (4). So, the recommendations vary as follows:
Women: 5 – 5 ½ ounce equivalents (around 35 – 40 g) per day
Men: 5 ½ – 6 ½ ounce equivalents (around 40 – 45 g) per day
These assume light levels of physical activity, so people who are more active may require more. Another way to estimate protein needs is to multiply 0.8 – 1 g by the number of kg you weigh. So a 150 lb (68 kg) man might need 55 – 68 g of protein per day.
Most people in the U.S consume enough protein as such, yet the effects on your health from different sources of protein vary significantly. Some high-protein foods are harmful to you while others are quite beneficial.
Read More: Lean Meats For Weight Loss: Staying On Track With Your Fitness Goals Without Sacrificing Flavor
Most of the high-protein foods have positive effects on your body. However, multiple studies have shown red meat and processed meats to be detrimental to your health. For example, researchers from Harvard found the connections of consuming even a small amount of red meat to increased risks of heart disease, type-2 diabetes and death (1, 3). By contrast, replacing red meat with plant-based proteins had the opposite effect (5). This does not mean that you have to get rid of animal proteins altogether. Instead, choose high-protein foods from this selection of vegan and non-vegan healthy protein sources:
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To sum up, a healthy diet based on nutritious high-protein foods is generally beneficial to your body. A diversity of plant-based and animal-based protein sources are available for you to replace processed and unprocessed red meat. Moreover, protein is associated with weight loss (6) and might also help you lower blood pressure and fight diabetes (2). Just don’t overconsume it, because too much protein is completely useless for your body. Develop a balanced diet including all macroelements for best results.
After figuring out the amounts and sources of proteins that your diet should include, you might try to focus on your working out routines. A well-balanced diet sets a great start for a full body strengthening exercises.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!