According to a study from Charles Perkins University in Sydney, the appetite for protein in humans is so strong and instinctive that we continue to eat until we get the protein we need, even though that means eating calories in excess that we don’t need.

Research published online in Obesity Surveys shows that further increases in protein diets could be a key factor in the global obesity epidemic, as people’s total energy consumption increases as the percentage of protein in your diet decreases.

Regardless of weight, age, or duration of the diet, research has shown for the first time that lowering the percentage of dietary protein leads to an increase in total energy intake, which contributes to overweight and obesity.

The study collected the results of 38 published experimental trials that measured unlimited energy intake in people on a variety of diets, also taking into account a wide range of age groups, Body Mass Index (BMI), and diet duration.

“We believe that regardless of your age or BMI, your appetite for protein is so strong that you will continue to eat until you reach enough protein that may mean that you are eating much more than you are eating. should “,

comments Dra. Alison Gosby is lead research author and postdoctoral fellow at the Charles Perkins Center at the University of Sydney. As diets shift towards a higher proportion of foods high in carbohydrates or fat, available protein decreases and, as a consequence, energy consumption increases.

“For example, when you drink low protein but high calorie soft drinks, your energy intake will increase as you have to keep eating to get the protein you need. Drinking soda for lunch adds a lot of calories, but you should still eat the same amount of food. “

“In our food environment, the urge to eat protein is terrible, as there are a lot of low protein foods that are consumed regularly,” says Dr. Gosby.

However, Dr. Gosby does not recommend increasing protein intake – most people consume enough protein but eat too much to get it – appetite awareness improves.According to your research, this can have a profound impact on the development of effective and healthy weight loss diets. food labeling policies, food production systems and regulatory frameworks.

“We’ve shown that when people try to lose weight, they have to look at macronutrients, not just calories. If you cut calories but do not take protein intake into account, you will remain hungry and your diet will not be successful. “

Dr. Gosby says the results could come from a new tool in the fight against overweight and obesity, which affects over 60% of adults and one in four children in Australia.

“We disapprove of high protein diets, which we generally find unstable, rather we encourage people to eat a balanced diet and eat healthy foods. Cooking our own meals instead of relying on high-energy, low-protein foods can make a huge difference in the amount of food we need to consume.