In the past, protein-rich foods were primarily for amateur athletesFitness enthusiastsa topic. The hyped nutrient is said to increase the body's performance and promote muscle building. A team of researchers at the University of Illinois wanted to test whether a high-protein diet also had a positive effect on middle-aged people. The scientists hypothesized that increased protein intake will lead to the preservation of muscle mass in people over 40 years old. They were then surprised to discover that this was not the case.
Protein-rich foods and muscle building in people aged 40 and over
A total of 50 subjects aged between 50 and 58 years with a BMI (body mass index) between 23 and 32 took parton the studypart. They were divided into two groups. Participants had to train at least three times a week over 10 weeks. Half of them had a high-protein diet and consumed 15 g of protein daily through their diet. The other half ate as usual. The researchers measured various biomarkers before, during and after the study and checked for a connection between strength training and diet.
The scientists were surprised to find that the diet had no effect on muscle building. All subjects, regardless of their diet, gained muscle mass after 10 weeks. Accordingly, the researchers concluded that increased protein consumption does not guarantee training success in people over 40 years of age.
Protein-rich foods: When is too much protein harmful?
Proteins have long been hyped as a miracle cure for building muscle and losing weight. Numerous protein-rich recipes and weekly menus can be found online. But such a diet is not suitable for everyone. People with kidney disease in particular should definitely seek advice from their family doctor. Because when proteins are broken down in the body, urea is produced. These should be eliminated as quickly as possible. Therefore, it is very important to have healthy kidneys and drink plenty of water. Hobby athletes who rely on a protein-rich diet should therefore drink at least 2 liters of water daily.
