Every other day, a celebrity is twitting about the glowing skin and increase in energy they got simply by switching to a certain diet. We have the Keto, Paleo, Pescatarian, Macrobiotic, 80/20, Vegan, Vegetarian, Flexitarian, Mediterranean and the more obscure Whole30, Dukan, Dubrow, and so many more. We are not even including Atkins. The one thing most of these diets agree on is We Need Proteins.
BY GREEN BUTCHERY | 16 September 2021
The Importance of Protein
Judging from the numerous protein products out there, we can safely say most of us know it’s great for muscle building. There’s more to it than getting that IG-worthy ab though. We’ve listed a few here for a quick reference.
Increases Muscle Mass
Why do we need to build muscles? We need them to survive. Our strength comes from our muscles and how much they are used. The heart is the strongest muscle in our body and we need to keep that healthy.
Builds Bones, Cartilage and Skin
Yup, we need more than calcium for bones. Hair and nails are mostly comprised of protein.
Repairs Tissues
Our body uses protein to build and repair tissue. Studies have shown that eating more protein after an injury can help speed up recovery.
Boosts Metabolism and Increases Fat Burning
High protein intake has been shown to significantly boost metabolism and increases the number of calories we burn. Protein has the highest thermic effect when compared with other macronutrients. We are actually burning more calories to process the protein than we would with carbohydrates and fats.
Weight Management
So, we’ve got that desired weight. Yay! Now, we just need to maintain it. Protein breaks down slowly, which usually makes us feel fuller for longer! If we are fuller for longer, we are less likely to be tempted to snack or binge, packing on those extra unnecessary calories.
Hormone Regulation
Protein helps regulate growth hormones. It has the amino acids we need to build cells, especially during the transformation and development of cells during puberty.
Research has also shown that healthy protein can help reduce the risk of diseases and even premature death. Do check out the myths about protein here too.