Sports
Hidden Dangers in Protein-Packed Products
A Russian nutrition professor warns that overconsumption of protein-enriched foods can harm digestion, raise cholesterol, and strain the kidneys.
Consuming too much protein can disrupt digestion and elevate cholesterol levels, according to Anastasia Lebedeva, an associate professor in the nutrition department at the Russian University of Biotechnology. Her warning targets the growing trend of protein-fortified products, from yogurts to sweets, which are being marketed as healthy staples.
Protein has become a symbol of clean eating and vitality, heavily promoted by fitness coaches, bloggers, and celebrities, Lebedeva noted. However, she stressed that foods high in protein—including desserts—are not automatically safe for unrestricted consumption.
How Protein Gets Supercharged
The popularity of these items has led to their widespread availability, ranging from specialized sports supplements to dairy products and protein-enriched confections sold in major supermarkets. High-quality animal protein found in meat, fish, eggs, and dairy does reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke, and regular consumption helps lower bad LDL cholesterol while raising good HDL cholesterol. Yet manufacturers are artificially boosting protein content, which introduces new risks.
Lebedeva explained the scale of the issue: a standard yogurt pot (about 150 ml) contains roughly 5–8 grams of protein. Protein-rich versions deliver far more—12 to 20 grams per pot. This extra protein comes from added concentrated whey, casein, or other protein ingredients. Standard serving sizes assume a person will eat the same amount of the functional product as a regular one, but because people also consume meat, milk, cheese, and other protein sources throughout the day, regular intake of fortified foods can push total protein too high.
Daily Needs and Warning Signs
The average body requires about 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. For a person weighing 70 kilograms, that means roughly 56 grams per day—an amount easily met through a normal diet that includes various meats, fish, eggs, and dairy products.
Lebedeva cautioned that overindulging in protein-rich sweets—from protein bars to high-protein dairy—can harm health. Excess protein strains the kidneys, impairs digestion, reduces calcium in bones, and may contribute to higher cholesterol levels.
She added that most people who do not engage in heavy physical activity, professional sports, or have specific health conditions can meet their protein needs through ordinary food. They do not require special supplements such as protein bars or powders.
