From the heart of SALT LAKE CITY, a growing concern is emerging about the dietary habits of Americans. It appears that the average American is consuming more protein than necessary, while their fiber intake is falling short. This imbalance in diet could potentially lead to serious health issues.
As reported by Vox, Americans seem to have developed an “unusual fixation with protein,” consuming double the recommended dietary allowance. Astonishingly, “60% of U.S. adults are striving to incorporate even more protein into their diets.” This protein obsession could potentially heighten the risk of diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
GoodRX Health highlights the importance of protein in our diets, stating, “Protein deficiency can pose a serious health risk and is a common cause of malnutrition in other parts of the world. As a macronutrient, protein is essential in large quantities for proper growth, development, and overall health.”
However, the article also warns about the dangers of overconsumption. “An excess of protein in your diet can disrupt your macronutrient balance. Consuming high amounts of protein usually involves eating a lot of meat and dairy products, which are often high in saturated fat and low in fiber.”
The consequences of this can be an increase in bad cholesterol, leading to a higher risk of heart disease and cancer. On the flip side, “plant-based proteins (e.g., beans, grains, soy, nuts, and seeds) are lower in saturated fat, high in fiber, and rich in micronutrients like vitamin K and potassium (which Americans tend to lack),” according to the article.
The federal government’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025, suggest healthy protein foods include “lean meats, poultry and eggs; seafood, beans, peas, and lentils; and nuts, seeds, and soy products.”
The New York Times in 2016 explained, “People need sufficient protein in the diet because it supplies indispensable amino acids that our bodies cannot synthesize on their own. These amino acids are the essential building blocks used to make and maintain muscle, bone, skin, and other tissues, as well as a variety of vital hormones and enzymes.”
However, the Times article also points out that Americans are likely consuming too much protein. It’s relatively easy to meet the recommended daily protein intake — 56 grams for men and 46 grams for women — without resorting to protein drinks or powders, which many people do. The Times noted that a cup of chopped chicken has about 44 grams of protein, while a cup of tofu or a serving of Greek yogurt has 20 grams. Three eggs provide 18 grams.
Adding a protein bar or shake to this can easily lead to overconsumption unless you’re mindful of your intake.
The Dangers of Protein Overconsumption
About a decade ago, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that men consume nearly twice the amount of protein they need, averaging about 100 grams per day. The revised Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggested that men and teenage boys, in particular, should “reduce overall intake of protein foods” and eat more vegetables. While teenage girls and older adults may not get enough protein, most American adults are getting too much.
The Times article raised concerns that protein-rich foods don’t preserve muscle mass over time and a high-protein diet can lead to kidney disease for some. Some studies have suggested that too much protein can increase the risk of heart disease, cancer, and other problems.
“One study led by Valter Longo, the director of the Longevity Institute at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, followed a nationally representative sample of 6,381 adults. It found that those who ate a high-protein diet between the ages of 50 and 65 were four times more likely to die of cancer than those who consumed less protein,” according to the Times.
However, others argue that there’s not enough evidence to support this claim.
Scientific American highlighted another issue with excessive protein consumption in 2022. It reported that “protein-packed diets add excess nitrogen to the environment through urine, rivaling pollution from agricultural fertilizers.”
Even if it’s not harmful to human health, the article stated, ”This excess does pose a problem for the country’s waterways. The nation’s wastewater is laden with the leftovers from protein digestion: nitrogen compounds that can feed toxic algal blooms and pollute the air and drinking water. This source of nitrogen pollution even rivals that from fertilizers washed off of fields growing food crops, new research suggests.”
The Importance of Fiber
Eating Well emphasizes that fiber, although not a popular food topic, is crucial to our health. Fiber is found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds, in two forms — soluble and insoluble. Both are vital to our health.
The article stated that those who consume a lot of fiber have a lower risk of heart disease, cancer, Type 2 diabetes, and obesity. However, only 5% of Americans meet the recommendations for fiber intake.
Inadequate fiber intake can lead to chronic inflammation, which is linked to the aforementioned health issues. It can weaken the immune system, make weight management more difficult, and lead to constipation or diarrhea, hemorrhoids, an increased risk of colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and other ailments.
One way to balance both protein and fiber intake is to opt for plant-based proteins more often and reduce consumption of meat and dairy.
Health.com listed the following as symptoms of protein deficiency:
- Swelling;
- Changes to hair and skin, including hair loss and graying or dry, thin, or peeling skin;
- Frequent illness;
- Muscle loss and weakness;
- Decreased bone density;
- Stunted growth;
- Weight loss or gain;
- Anemia;
Another Dietary Concern
Protein and fiber aren’t the only dietary concerns for Americans.
Harvard researchers recently highlighted that Americans are also harming their health due to the consumption of ultra-processed foods. According to a recent post on Scienceblog.com, these foods make up the “bulk of the American diet” — and largely explain the obesity epidemic in America, with more than 40% of the population being obese, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the Harvard research, participants were randomly assigned to an ultra-processed or unprocessed diet for two weeks. Despite the two groups being matched for nutrients, the ultra-processed group consumed about 500 calories more per day than the other group, leading to weight and body fat gain. Those who consumed minimally processed foods “spontaneously lost weight and lost body fat.”
Americans consuming excessive protein and not enough fiber is a concerning health issue that needs attention. We must prioritize a balanced diet for overall well-being.
Agree Consuming excessive protein and not enough fiber can lead to various health issues such as digestive problems and increased risk of chronic diseases. It’s important to prioritize a balanced diet for a healthier future.