Eating high-protein foods is so good for you, it’s like quitting smoking, study finds

The dietary benefits of eating the right amount of protein are well known, but new research indicates just how big of an impact different kinds of protein-rich food sources can have on our health.

According to a study by the University of East Anglia in the UK, the high levels of certain amino acids in some foods can boost cardiovascular health in ways comparable to making major changes to your lifestyle, such as getting more exercise or even quitting smoking.

“Results from previous studies have provided evidence that increased dietary protein may be associated with lower blood pressure,” said Amy Jennings, lead author, in a statement. “We wanted to know whether protein from animal sources or plant-based sources was more beneficial – so we drilled down and looked at the different amino acids found in both meat and vegetables.”

The researchers analysed seven different amino acids – arginine, cysteine, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, leucine, and tyrosine – investigating how each affected the cardiovascular health of women with a healthy BMI.

Read more: http://www.sciencealert.com/eating-high-protein-foods-is-so-good-for-you-it-s-like-quitting-smoking-study-finds