A new research review is raising concerns about how much protein many adults are eating, especially those who are not exercising regularly. According to the findings, the surge in protein-focused foods may be encouraging intake that goes beyond what many sedentary people actually need.
The review, which examined more than 350 scientific studies and was published Friday, suggests that cutting protein could help slow aging for most adults who are not active on a regular basis. The warning stands in contrast to the strong marketing push behind high-protein snacks, meals and grocery products.
Researchers say the issue is not that protein is unhealthy in general, but that more is not always better. For people who are largely inactive, regularly eating extra protein may offer little benefit and could even work against healthy aging, based on the broader body of evidence reviewed.
The findings add to a growing debate over modern nutrition trends that promote protein-heavy eating for nearly everyone. While people who exercise consistently may have different needs, this review suggests many Americans with sedentary lifestyles may want to rethink whether all those added protein products are helping at all.
