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Protein – finding the right balance

In recent años, the global demand for high protein and protein-enriched products has risen and is expected to further intensify.1,2 Within the protein sector, plant-based protein sources have also received a lot of attention because they are recognised as being nutritious, more sustainable and environmentally friendly.3,4,5 

In this article, we will briefly discuss the role of protein, the recommended daily intake and the best food sources.

Main role & functions

Proteins are made up of chains of amino acids, which are commonly referred to as building blocks since the body has the ability to make proteins from them. To do so, it requires amino acids and calories from the diet. Of the 20 amino acids involved in protein synthesis, only 9 are considered essential because they are not produced endogenously and must therefore be obtained from the diet. Energy intake is also an important factor. You must consume sufficient calories for the ingested protein to be used for synthesis and for degradation of body protein to be prevented.6

Protein is a macronutrient. Like fat and carbohydrates, it is a source of calories (4 kcal per gram of protein) although it should not be used primarily for energy purposes. Proteins are known to be used for muscle synthesis. More broadly, they are necessary for the growth and maintenance of tissues, such as skin, membranes, muscles, organs, bones, etc. But there are many different proteins, each with a particular function in the body. Some modulate a range of physiological functions by acting as enzymes or hormones (e.g. insulin involved in glucose uptake), some have transport or storage functions (e.g. the protein ferritin involved in iron storage), some are involved in the immune system, and the list goes on.6,7

In the context of weight management, it is also interesting to note that dietary protein increases satiety through various pathways more so than carbohydrates and fat.7,8,9

Nutritional guidelines

Governments and international organisations have set minimum recommended daily allowances for protein, which vary slightly from region to region:

  • World (FAO/WHOa) and EU: 0.83 g of protein per kilogram of body weight (e.g. 54 g of protein for a 65 kg person)10,11
  • USA: 0.8 g of protein per kilogram of body weight, or a daily amount of 46 g for women or 56 g for men, and a target of 10-35% of the energy provided by protein7,12
  • Japan: 50 g for women, 60-65 g per day for men13
  • People’s Republic of China (PRC): 55 g for women, 65 g per day for men14
  • Republic of China (Taiwan): 1.1 g (or 1.2 g for the elderly) of protein per kilogram of body weight, or a daily amount of 60 g for women or 70 g for men.15

In addition, some experts suggest that older people and those on a vegetarian or vegan diet should consume more protein than the levels recommended for the general population.7,16 Other situations may warrant a higher protein intake, for example in individuals who exercise with the aim to increase or maintain muscle mass,17 or patients with specific conditions (e.g. trauma, severe burn injury) in which the breakdown of body proteins is increased.6

With regard to excess protein, there is currently insufficient evidence to set a maximum daily protein intake from food. The available findings are conflicting, including in the context of prevention and management of pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Some large-scale studies have reported an association between high protein intake (from animal sources in most cases) and a higher prevalence and risk of developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes,7 while others argue that increasing protein intake could be beneficial in reducing this risk.18

Animal proteins are considered to be high-quality since they contain all essential amino acids in sufficient amounts. With the exception of soy, plant protein sources generally lack one or more essential amino acids, often called limiting amino acids.

Food sources & tips

When you think of protein, you probably think of meat and poultry. This is a common notion which, although true, is very limiting. There are a range of foods that can provide significant amounts of protein in your diet, among which we can mention: meat and organ meats, poultry (e.g. chicken, turkey) and eggs, fish and seafood, dairy products, soy products (e.g. tofu, tempeh), legumes (e.g. alfalfa, beans, peas, lentils), nuts and seeds, and butters made from nuts and seeds (e.g. peanut butter, tahini), whole grains, processed meat substitutes (often made of soy, beans, lentils, etc.), and some edible algae (e.g. nori, spirulina).12,19

Innovation is also driving us towards the consumption of laboratory-grown meat and insects which, although culturally accepted in some parts of the world, may seem repellent to Western consumers.2,20

It is important to keep in mind that animal proteins are considered to be high-quality since they contain all essential amino acids in sufficient amounts. With the exception of soy, plant protein sources generally lack one or more essential amino acids, often called limiting amino acids.4,6

It is therefore advised to consume different ‘families’ of plant sources at the same meal to ensure a balanced intake of essential amino acids. For example, you could combine black beans and rice in a chili, tacos with a chickpea filling, or lentils and walnuts in a salad. This is particularly relevant for those following a vegan diet, where all animal sources (including eggs and dairy products) are removed from the diet.4,6

Labelling regulations

In addition to tables showing the nutrition composition of foods, nutrition claims are an effective way to help consumers make better choices. As with other nutrition claims, products bearing a claim referring to protein content must meet conditions set by the legislation applicable in the territory where they are sold, the major one being the minimum protein content.

For the claim ‘source of protein’, at least 12% of the energy value of the food must be provided by protein in the EU, whereas at least 10% of the nutrient reference value (NRV) for protein must be provided per 100 g of product (or 5% of the NRV per 100 ml) according to the Codex Alimentarius (FAO/WHOa), in Japan and in the PRC. Note that NRVs vary from one legislation to another (e.g. 81 g in Japan, 60 g in the PRC). And for the claim ‘high protein‘, at least 20% of the energy value of the food must be provided by protein in the EU, or at least 20% of the NRV for protein must be provided per 100 g (10% of the NRV per 100 ml) in Japan and the PRC.21,22,23,24

To ensure the utmost inclusivity and international harmonisation, Monde Selection has upheld the strictest conditions for its Nutrition Labels, namely:

  • Source of protein: the food must contain at least 8 g of protein per 100 g (or 4 g per 100 ml), which corresponds to 10% of the Japanese NRV for protein, and protein must provide at least 12% of the energy value of the food
  • High protein: the food must contain at least 16 g of protein per 100 g (or 8 g per 100 ml), and protein must provide at least 20% of the energy value of the food.

Conclusion

Protein is an essential nutrient that has a range of functions, including the synthesis and maintenance of tissues such as muscles. Recommended intakes do not vary much between genders in healthy adults, however, it may be justified to increase them in certain situations (e.g. exercise, illness, the elderly). A diversified diet, with or without animal products, can provide adequate amounts of protein. In the case of a plant-based diet, some advice may be useful, such as looking for products fortified with specific micronutrients (e.g. iron, vitamin B12) or natural sources of these micronutrients, and pairing different food sources of protein (e.g. legumes, whole grains, nuts and seeds) to achieve a balanced intake of the 9 essential amino acids. More practically, existing and emerging nutrition policies such as nutrition information panels, nutrition claims and front-of-pack labels can guide consumers towards specific foods, such as protein-rich foods, and encourage healthier diets.

Last update: September 2021

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References

a The Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization

1 Grand View Research. (2021). Protein Ingredients Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Plant Proteins, Animal/Dairy Proteins, Microbe-based Proteins, Insect Proteins), By Application, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 – 2028. Retrieved September 2021, from https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/protein-ingredients-market

2 Bowman S. A. (2020). A Vegetarian-Style Dietary Pattern Is Associated with Lower Energy, Saturated Fat, and Sodium Intakes; and Higher Whole Grains, Legumes, Nuts, and Soy Intakes by Adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 2013-2016. Nutrients, 12(9), p. 2668. doi:10.3390/nu12092668

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3 Ahnen, R. T., Jonnalagadda, S. S., & Slavin, J. L. (2019). Role of plant protein in nutrition, wellness, and health. Nutrition Reviews, 77(11), pp. 735–747. doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuz028

4 Melina, V., Craig, W., & Levin, S. (2016). Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Vegetarian Diets. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 116(12), pp. 1970–1980. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2016.09.025

5 Curtain, F., & Grafenauer, S. (2019). Plant-Based Meat Substitutes in the Flexitarian Age: An Audit of Products on Supermarket Shelves. Nutrients, 11(11), p. 2603. doi:10.3390/nu11112603

6 Yu, Y.-M., & Fukagawa, N. K. (2020). Chapter 2 – Protein and amino acids. In B. P. Marriott, D. F. Birt, V. A. Stallings, & A. A. Yates, Present Knowledge in Nutrition (Eleventh Edition) (pp. 15-35). Academic Press. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-66162-1.00002-0

7 Mittendorfer, B., Klein, S., & Fontana, L. (2020). A word of caution against excessive protein intake. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 16(1), pp. 59–66. doi:10.1038/s41574-019-0274-7

8 Hamdy, O., Ganda, O. P., Maryniuk, M., Gabbay, R. A., & Members of the Joslin Clinical Oversight Committee. (n.d.). CHAPTER 2. Clinical nutrition guideline for overweight and obese adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) or prediabetes, or those at high risk for developing T2D. The American Journal of Managed Care, 24(7), pp. SP226–SP231. Retrieved from https://www.ajmc.com/view/presentation-outlines-long-term-cv-risks-of-gestational-diabetes

9 Drummen, M., Tischmann, L., Gatta-Cherifi, B., Adam, T., & Westerterp-Plantenga, M. (2018). Dietary Protein and Energy Balance in Relation to Obesity and Co-morbidities. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 9(Art. 443). doi:10.3389/fendo.2018.00443

10 Joint FAO/WHO/UNU Expert Consultation on Protein and Amino Acid Requirements in Human Nutrition. (2007). Protein and amino acid requirements in human nutrition : report of a joint FAO/WHO/UNU expert consultation. Geneva. Retrieved from https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/43411?search-result=true&query=Protein+and+amino+acid+requirements&scope=&rpp=10&sort_by=score&order=desc

11 European Food Safety Authority. (2012). Scientific Opinion on Dietary Reference Values for protein. EFSA Journal, 10(2), p. 2557. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2012.2557

12 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2020). Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025. 9th Edition. Retrieved July 2021, from https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/resources/2020-2025-dietary-guidelines-online-materials

13 Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Government of Japan. (2020). Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese (2020): Report of the Study Group on the Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese People (日本人の食事摂取基準(2020 年版): 「日本人の食事摂取基準」策定検討会報告書). Retrieved from https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/newpage_08517.html

14 National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China. (2017). Dietary Reference Intakes for Chinese Residents, Part 1: Macronutrients (中国居民膳食营养素参考摄入量第1部分:宏量营养素). Retrieved from http://www.nhc.gov.cn/wjw/yingyang/201710/fdade20feb8144ba921b412944ffb779.shtml

15 Health Promotion Administration, Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare. (2020). Dietary Reference Intakes Eighth Edition: Macronutrients Protein and lipid chapter (draft) revision (「國人膳食營養素參考攝取量」第八版-巨量營養素: 蛋白質及脂質章節(草案)增修訂 線上說明會之重點紀要). Retrieved September 2021, from https://health99.hpa.gov.tw/

16 Agnoli, C., Baroni, L., Bertini, I., Ciappellano, S., Fabbri, A., Papa, M., Pellegrini, N., Sbarbati, R., Scarino, M. L., Siani, V., & Sieri, S. (2017). Position paper on vegetarian diets from the working group of the Italian Society of Human Nutrition. Nutrition, Metabolism, and Cardiovascular Diseases, 27(12), pp. 1037–1052. doi:10.1016/j.numecd.2017.10.020

17 Jäger, R., Kerksick, C. M., Campbell, B. I., Cribb, P. J., Wells, S. D., Skwiat, T. M., Purpura, M., Ziegenfuss, T. N., Ferrando, A. A., Arent, S. M., Smith-Ryan, A. E., Stout, J. R., Arciero, P. J., Ormsbee, M. J., Taylor, L. W., … Antonio, J. (2017). International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: protein and exercise. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 14(Art. 20). doi:10.1186/s12970-017-0177-8

18 Evert, A. B., Dennison, M., Gardner, C. D., Garvey, W. T., Lau, K., MacLeod, J., Mitri, J., Pereira, R. F., Rawlings, K., Robinson, S., Saslow, L., Uelmen, S., Urbanski, P. B., & Yancy, W. S. (2019). Nutrition Therapy for Adults With Diabetes or Prediabetes: A Consensus Report. Diabetes Care, 42(5), pp. 731–754. doi:10.2337/dci19-0014

19 Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire de l’alimentation, de l’environnement et du travail (Anses), France. (2020). Ciqual – Table de composition nutritionnelle des aliments: Protéines, N x 6.25 (g/100 g). Retrieved September 2021, from https://ciqual.anses.fr/

20 European Consumer Organisation (BEUC). (2020). One bite at a time: Consumers and the transition to sustainable food. Brussels: BEUC. Retrieved from https://www.beuc.eu/publications/most-eu-consumers-open-eat-more-sustainably-face-hurdles-new-survey-shows/html

21 European Parliament & Council of the European Union. (2006). Regulation (EC) n°1924/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods (consolidated version: 2014). Official Journal of the European Union, L 404, 9-25.

22 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations & World Health Organization. (1997). CAC/GL 23-1997: Guidelines for use of nutrition and health claims (last updated: 2013). Codex Alimentarius, pp. 1-8. Retrieved from http://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/codex-texts/guidelines/en/

23 Consumer Affairs Agency of Japan. (2013). Food Labelling Act (Act n°70) (食品表示法 (平成二十五年法律第七十号)) (last updated: 2019). Retrieved from https://elaws.e-gov.go.jp/document?lawid=427M60000002010

24 Ministry of Health of the People’s Republic of China. (2011). National Standards of the People’s Republic of China GB 28050-2011: Standard for nutrition labelling of prepackaged foods (食品安全国家标准 预包装食品营养标签通则).

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