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. 2024 May 30;16(11):1697.
doi: 10.3390/nu16111697.

High-Protein Processed Foods: Impact on Diet, Nutritional Status, and Possible Effects on Health

Rosa M Ortega  1   2   3 , Nerea Arribas-López  1 , María Dolores Salas-González  1   2 , Aránzazu Aparicio  1   2   3 , Liliana Guadalupe González-Rodríguez  1   2 , Laura M Bermejo  1   2   3 , María Del Carmen Lozano-Estevan  1   2 , Esther Cuadrado-Soto  1   2 , Ana M López-Sobaler  1   2   3 , Viviana Loria-Kohen  1   2
Affiliations

High-Protein Processed Foods: Impact on Diet, Nutritional Status, and Possible Effects on Health

Rosa M Ortega et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Proteins are macronutrients with multiple health benefits, but excessive consumption can negatively affect health. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of a sample of high-protein processed foods (HPPFs), describe how their consumption affects dietary balance, and acquire knowledge of the consumption patterns of these products in a Spanish population. A sample of HPPFs available in supermarkets and on websites was collected. The contribution to recommended protein intakes was calculated using national and international references and considering the single consumption of the HPPFs and the product plus 150 g of meat. Furthermore, an online survey was conducted among a convenience sample. A total of 36 enriched protein products were evaluated. The percentage of proteins in these products ranges from 10 to 88%. The contribution of the protein recommended intake was within a range of 87.4-306.6% and 66.4-232.8% (women and men, respectively), only considering the additional proteins from 150 g of meat. One hundred thirty-nine participants completed the survey; 67.6% affirmed that they had consumed HPPFs, and half consumed them without following any consumption control. Since these products are accessible to everyone in supermarkets and protein intake is generally higher than the recommended limits, regulating the mass sale of HPPFs is essential to ensure they do not lead to protein overconsumption.

Keywords: health; high-protein processed foods; marketing trends; overconsumption.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Contribution to the Recommended Daily Intakes of proteins in women (%) (references [21,22]) considering the single consumption of the high-protein processed product and this product + 150 g of meat (mean and standard deviation of products grouped into seven categories: dairy, jellies, energy bars, snacks, breakfast cereals, breads, and creams).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Contribution to the Recommended Daily Intakes of proteins in men (%) (references [21,22]) considering the single consumption of the high-protein processed product and this product + 150 g of meat (mean and standard deviation of products grouped into seven categories: dairy, jellies, energy bars, snacks, breakfast cereals, breads, and creams).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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