High Protein ' as bad for health as smoking'

HIGH-PROTEIN ‘AS BAD FOR HEALTH AS SMOKING’:

According to scientific study, published in March 2014, eating too much protein could be as dangerous as smoking for, middle-aged people. Research which tracked thousands of adults for nearly 20 years found that people who eat a diet rich in animal protein are four times more likely to die of cancer than someone with a low protein diet. The risk is nearly as high as the danger of developing cancer by smoking 20 cigarettes each day. Previous studies have shown a link between cancer and red meat, but it is the first time research has measured the risk of death caused by regularly eating too much protein. High-protein food plans, such as the Atkins diet, have become popular in recent years because of their dramatic weight-loss results. The new research from the University of Southern California suggests that such dieters may harm themselves in the long run.

The researchers define a “high-protein” diet as deriving at least 20 percent of daily calories from protein. They recommended consuming about 0.8g (0.03oz) of protein per kilogram of body weight every day in middle age. It means a person weighing nine stone should eat about 45-50g (1.6-1.7oz) of protein a day. A 300g (10.5oz) steak contains 77g (2.7oz) of protein. As well as red meat, dairy products high in protein are also dangerous, the researchers said. A 200ml (7fl oz.) glass of milk represents 12 percent of the recommended daily allowance, while a 40g (1.4oz) slice of cheese contains 20 percent.

Chicken, fish, pulses, vegetables, nuts and grains are healthier sources of protein. However, a chicken breast or salmon fillet still accounts for about 40 percent of recommended daily protein intake.