Anastasia Lebedeva, an associate professor in the Department of Nutrition at the Russian University of Biotechnology, warned against excessive protein consumption, as it disrupts digestion and raises cholesterol levels.
According to her, protein has become a symbol of healthy eating and activity, widely promoted by fitness trainers, bloggers, and celebrities. However, this does not mean that protein-rich foods, including sweets, are safe.
The popularity of these products explains their widespread availability, ranging from specialized sports supplements to protein-rich dairy products and sweets sold in supermarkets.
Of course, high-quality animal protein found in meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products reduces the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. Regular consumption of animal protein also helps lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and raise HDL (good) cholesterol. However, producers often artificially increase protein content, which can pose health risks.
She says: "A regular yogurt container (about 150ml) contains approximately 5-8 grams of protein. Protein-enriched varieties offer a much larger amount of protein, up to 12-20 grams per container. The extra protein is obtained either by adding whey protein concentrate, casein protein, or other types of protein ingredients. Standard serving sizes assume that a person will consume the same amount of the functional product as they would in a regular container. But since a person may consume meat, milk, cheese, and other protein-rich foods throughout the day, regular consumption of protein-rich foods may lead to an increase in protein in the body."
It's worth noting that the average body's protein requirement is about 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight. For example, a person weighing 70 kilograms needs about 56 grams of protein daily. This amount can easily be met through a regular diet that includes various types of meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products.
She warns: "Excessive consumption of protein-rich sweets, from protein bars to high-protein dairy products, can negatively affect health. This is because excess protein puts a strain on the kidneys, hinders digestion, reduces calcium levels in bones, and may contribute to high cholesterol."
She adds: "Most people who do not engage in much physical activity, do not play professional sports, or do not suffer from any health problems, can easily obtain their protein needs through their usual food, and do not need special supplements such as protein bars or powders."
