January 19, 2024, 10:17 am | Read time: 4 minutes
Women who focus on a high protein intake in their diet tend to stay healthier longer, according to a recent study. However, it’s not that simple: There seems to be something important to consider regarding the type and composition of protein sources. FITBOOK takes a closer look.
Proteins are important for muscle function, which, of course, includes the heart. It quickly becomes clear that a protein-rich diet can pay off in terms of physical health in the long run. Researchers at Boston’s Tufts Medical Center have specifically examined the impact of proteins on women’s health—with apparently impressive results.
Overview
Protein-rich diet keeps women healthier longer, study shows
A protein-rich diet in midlife can significantly contribute to women remaining healthy into older adulthood. This is according to the conclusion of a recently published study.1 These women are less likely to develop serious diseases such as cancer and type 2 diabetes and also maintain their cognitive abilities longer.
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Details of the study
The team led by study director Andres Ardisson Korat used data from the Nurses’ Health Study. This includes numerous studies examining the distribution and frequency of various diseases and, in this context, the influence of (lifestyle) factors—such as diet. The participants were women who worked in the U.S. healthcare sector between 1984 and 2016. The 48,000 participants considered were between 38 and 59 years old and physically and mentally healthy at the start of data collection.
The researchers used, among other things, the participants’ information about their eating habits for their evaluation. From how often and in what quantities they consumed certain fruits, vegetables, legumes, and grain products, Korat and his team calculated an average protein intake. They used the Harvard University Food Composition Database, which contains detailed information on the composition and nutrient content of foods.
The participant data was divided into women who remained healthy until the end of the study and those who developed chronic diseases or experienced a decline in memory and perception abilities. The researchers then compared their respective diets.
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Weighting of protein sources seems crucial
Among the participants who consumed relatively high amounts of plant-based proteins during the study period, the chances of a long, healthy life were highest, according to the evaluation. Additionally, women who frequently consumed animal protein still had fairly good health prospects. However, their risk of disease was about 6 percent higher compared to those who focused on plant-based diets.
The source of the protein consumed seems to be of importance, explains lead author Korat in a press release.2 It contributes most to good health and high life expectancy when the majority of the protein comes from plant sources, occasionally supplemented with smaller amounts of animal protein.
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Limitations of the study
The study relies on participants’ statements about their eating habits. These cannot be verified afterward—a general issue with studies examining the effects of diet on the body. FITBOOK has previously discussed this with nutritionist Uwe Knop. He believes that “people are not always honest in this area.” You can read the full article here.
Even if their statements were accurate, the researchers used a tool from 1984 to calculate the protein content of the listed foods—from vegetables and fruits to pasta and pizza. Given today’s scientific standards, the determined values may be outdated.
Finally, numerous participants in the Nurses’ Health Study were excluded from the analysis. This included not only women who already had one of the studied diseases at the start of the study and/or were over 59 years old. According to the study documentation, participants who listed too many different foods in the questionnaires and those who exceeded or fell below certain calorie limits defined by the researchers daily were also not considered.
A universally valid interpretation of the results is not possible due to these and other limitations of the study.