Animal Protein-Rich Diets Raise Mortality Risk

A diet rich in animal protein is associated with greater mortality risk than a diet favoring plant-based protein, according to the results of a recent study.

Previous research into the effects of protein intake on mortality risk has yielded conflicting evidence, according to the researchers.

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They conducted a prospective, population-based study investigating how protein sources impacted risk of disease death in 2641 Finnish men, aged 42 to 60 at baseline (1984 to 1989). Protein intake was estimated using 4-day dietary records, and the national Causes of Death Register was used to collect data on disease deaths.

Over an average follow-up period of 22.3 years, 1225 disease deaths occurred. The researchers found that higher intake of total protein and animal protein had borderline statistically significant associations with increased mortality risk (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.17 for total protein and 1.13 for animal protein in the highest vs lowest quartile).

A higher animal-to-plant protein ratio (extreme-quartile aHR 1.23) and higher meat intake (extreme-quartile aHR 1.23) were also associated with increased mortality. The association between total protein and mortality was more evident among those with a history of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or cancer compared with those without.

Of note, intake of fish, eggs, dairy, and plant protein were not associated with mortality.

“Higher ratio of animal to plant protein in diet and higher meat intake were associated with increased mortality risk. Higher total protein intake appeared to be associated with mortality mainly among those with a predisposing disease,” the researchers concluded.

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Virtanen HEK, Voutilainen S, Koskinen TT, et al. Dietary proteins and protein sources and risk of death: the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study [published online April 9, 2019]. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.  https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/nqz025