Dangers of Eating Too Much Protein

Excess protein in the body poses danger to the health of an individual. This is so because too  much protein in the body is related to several health conditions such as the following :

1) Weight gain

Excess protein is also usually stored as fat just like carbohydrate and fatty foods. This can lead to weight gain over time, especially if you consume too much protein just because you want to avoid carbohydrates. The point here is that your protein consumption should be moderate rather than excessive as this will make you gain weight on the long term.

A 2016 study found that weight gain was significantly associated with diets where protein replaced carbohydrates, but not when it replaced fat.

2) Mouth Odor

According to healthline.com, forty percent of participants in a 2003 registry reported bad breath. This is so because due to low carbohydrate consumption, the body has to make use of stored fat in the body as energy. This is achieved when the  body goes into a metabolic state called ketosis, which produces chemicals that causes bad  breaths. Unfortunately, brushing and flossing won’t get rid of the smell. According to healthline.com, You can double your water intake, brush your teeth more often, and chew gum to counter some of this effect.

3) Constipation

Forty-four percent of participants from the same 2003 study as above reported constipation. This is because high-protein diets that restrict carbohydrates are typically low in fiber.

4) Dehydration

Because the body flushes out excess nitrogen found in amino acids  ( a substance that is derived from protein)  with fluids and water. This can leave the body dehydrated even though you may not feel more thirsty than usual. According to healthline.com, a small 2002 study on athletes found that as protein intake increased, hydration levels decreased.

Increase your water intake to reduce this effect, especially if you’re an active person. Drink plenty of water throughout the day.

5) Kidney damage

According to eatthis.com, when you down a steak, chicken breast, or any other source of the muscle builder, you also take in nitrogen, which is naturally occurring in the amino acids that make up proteins. When you're consuming a normal amount of protein, you excrete the nitrogen—no harm, no foul. But when you eat a ton of the stuff, your kidneys have to go into overdrive to get rid of all the extra nitrogen, explains Cassie Bjork, RD, LD of Healthy Simple Life. "In the short run, this isn't harmful to most people. But if you're a long-time high-protein dieter, you could be increasing your risk for kidney damage," she warns.

According to healthline.com, following a high-protein diet for an extended period can increase your risk of kidney damage. Eating too much protein can also affect people who already have kidney disease. This is because of the excess nitrogen found in the amino acids that make up proteins.Your kidneys have to work harder to get rid of the extra nitrogen and waste products of protein metabolism.

The same 2002 study from above found that consuming high amounts of protein led to abnormal BUN (one measure of kidney function) and a more concentrated urine.

6) Increased cancer risk

High-meat based protein consumption have been linked to an increase in cancer. According to healthline.com, eating more meat is associated with colon, breast, and prostate cancer.

Studies have shown a decreased risk of cancer for people who don’t eat meat. Scientists believe this could be due, in part, to hormones, carcinogenic compounds, and fats found in meat.