Protein is an essential food group because it benefits your health and fitness. You have different options of protein sources, including; animal and plant protein. In addition, you have the option of investing in protein supplements to add to your protein intake.
Finding ways to add more proteins to our diet is essential to ensure that we are not missing out on the incredible benefits of this food group. Here are some benefits you can expect from increasing your protein intake.
Helps You Stay Full for Longer
An active lifestyle as an athlete usually leads to hunger, especially after burning calories. It is one of the primary reasons you’ll be tempted to snack immediately after a workout session. Unfortunately, with such a desire to eat something, your snack choices may not be the healthiest.
However, having more protein in your diet helps you stay fuller for longer and reduces the urgent need to eat something after a workout. In addition, it helps you stick to your nutrition to help you meet your fitness and health goals.
Provides Structure
The amino acids found in protein help boost our skin, hair, and bone health, making it essential to our body’s structure. In addition, some proteins provide cells and tissues with stiffness improving their structure and health.
These proteins include Keratin, Collagen, and Elastin. Each of these proteins plays a specific role in your body to help with your organ’s structure.
Keratin is mainly found in hair, skin, and nails. Collagen helps with bones, ligaments, skin, and tendons. Lastly, Elastin is more flexible than the rest and allows organs like the uterus to stretch and revert to their normal size.
Promotes Bladder Health
Protein helps improve the water intake in the body, and in return stimulates urination and volume. Good protein sources include eggs, tofu, fish, and chicken. However, cow’s milk is known to contain proteins that lead to a negative impact on some patients with multiple sclerosis and incontinence leading to trouble controlling urine and bowels.
Advisable to take lean protein that prevents bladder irritation, and when combined with steam and boiled food, thereby helps in maintaining urinary continence. In similar medical conditions, the intake of protein should be done only after consulting your health care professional.
Boosts Muscle Growth and Recovery
Protein features amino acids and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), which are our muscles’ building blocks. Therefore, increasing protein intake and adopting the right exercise strategy will help build muscle.
Animal proteins feature a BCAA called Leucine which helps promote muscle growth and recovery. However, plant protein is also a great option to boost muscle growth, especially on a vegan diet.
In addition, protein powder supplements that are easy to have on the go and carry to the gym are an incredible option. The best part is that there are different options, including whey and plant-based protein.
It is important to note that insufficient protein intake may lead to muscle loss. This is because your body will attempt to get the necessary amino acids by breaking down muscles. So, maintaining sufficient protein intake is essential.
This dentist in Upper East Side also adds that protein is necessary for stronger teeth. Protein contains phosphorus which is essential in building healthier teeth and jaw.
Protein Boosts Metabolism
Increasing protein intake is a great way to increase your body’s metabolism. Usually, eating more food temporarily increases our metabolism. This increase in metabolism is referred to as the thermic effect of food (TEF).
Protein results in a higher TEF compared to carbohydrates and fats, which helps to boost your metabolism significantly. An increase in metabolism can help in weight loss by getting rid of fat while maintaining muscle mass.
Helps Boost Oxygen in the Blood
Protein helps to increase oxygenated blood carried by a protein called hemoglobin. In addition, the hemoglobin in the red blood cells helps remove carbon dioxide by bringing it to the lungs for exhalation.
Studies also show a close relation between protein intake and a reduction in red blood cells, especially during training. So adding more protein sources to meals will help cases of anemia and other health issues.
Helps Boost Immune Health
Protein boosts the formation of antibodies to help fight infections and related diseases. When bacteria and viruses attack your body, its natural response is to tag them and release antibodies that will help to destroy them.
Once the antibodies are released, the bacteria and viruses die, preventing them from causing any diseases. So, adding protein to your diet will incredibly impact your health and improve your immunity.
What we eat impacts our immune system. So, investing in the nutritional quality of proteins and other food groups will help you meet your body’s nutrient needs and boost immunity.
Boost Energy in the body
Protein provides significant energy to allow for a successful and intense workout session. It features four calories per gram, the same as carbohydrates. However, your body will tend to use carbs and fats to fuel your energy and reserve the protein for other body functions.
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