Debunking the Most Common Myths About Protein Intake

In the world of social media, it is common to hear things from influencers who pose as doctors and professionals and come up with ideas that get viral and stick in everyone’s minds. Since social media rage is common, people forget to do their research and fall for misinformation. Here are some myths about protein intake debunked for you so you may make more informed decisions about your health.

Eating Too Much Protein Will Damage Your Kidneys

It is a common misconception that having too much protein can be bad for your health, especially your kidneys, which is wrong, as the function of the kidney is to filter out waste material, and healthy kidneys can do this task very efficiently. In fact, it has been proven that excessive protein does not interfere in the way of the filtering process of the kidneys and is not associated with renal disease. The protein absorption myth came about because the issue only occurs in the case that the kidney is already damaged. Then, it can turn into a problem. It is also said that protein can weaken bones, but that is not true either, as protein consumption supports bone health and maintains calcium levels in them.

Only Athletes Need High Protein Intake

People have the misconception that only athletes like bodybuilders need protein to expand their muscle mass, and such an idea is wrong because even though they do need more protein, it does not mean that non-athletes do not need it either. In fact, protein is very important for many bodily functions, as it helps preserve muscle mass, which is bound to decrease as we age. It helps maintain a healthy weight as it makes you feel full, so you do not feel hungry and munch on snacks, and it also causes faster absorption in the body, so food is digested at a faster pace.

Proteins in Plants Are Inferior to Other Proteins

Plant proteins may lack all types of required amino acids that are used in consumption, but they can provide you with the nourishment your body needs, and to achieve that, all you need to do is to have a good diet plan and consume the right amounts of plant-based foods to meet your protein requirements. Some plants, like soy, have proteins on their own. There are also many benefits of having plant-based proteins as they have low saturated fats, so they are good for your heart health, have many minerals and vitamins, and have fiber content that helps you with digestion.

Animal Proteins are Much Better

Both plant and animal proteins are good for your body, not just animal proteins, as both have their benefits, because while animal proteins have all the necessary amino acids and are found in meat, dairy, and eggs, plant amino acids have the necessary antioxidants, and both are needed for a balanced and healthy diet.

Having More Protein Means More Muscle Mass

It is a common misunderstanding that including more protein in your diet will mean that you will gain more muscle mass, especially for people who go to the gym and try to increase muscle mass, which is wrong because everything in the body works in collaboration with each other. So just eating protein will not do much benefit to it. You also need to incorporate the right amount of carbohydrates and fats so that the muscles can use up the protein to grow, as carbohydrates provide you with the energy to work out, while fats cause hormone production. You also need to take minerals and vitamins as they improve the overall health of the body. You can that in such a way that when you train your muscles by exerting a load on them, it creates micro tears in the muscles that proteins help repair. But without the right energy, how can you even do such extraneous exercises?

Conclusion

Do not unthinkingly follow TikTok influencers who promote the wrong ideas and do your research before following anyone’s advice. You should understand that protein is essential for your body, and whether you are an athlete, you go to the gym and are trying to gain muscle, or you are simply trying to stay fit, you need protein in your diet, and by knowing the right information, you can carefully make decisions that influence your overall health.