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5 health risks from consuming too much protein, from heart disease to weight gain
Channel News Asia ^

Posted on 06/06/2026 3:41:25 PM PDT by nickcarraway

Many of us eat more protein than we need. We asked experts what can happen if people have too much of a good thing.

If you’ve browsed the packaged-food aisle of a grocery store lately, or scanned the updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans, you might think that when it comes to protein, more is better.

Packaged cereal, popcorn, pancake mix and coffee drinks are being infused with the nutrient. And the new inverted food pyramid, released by the US government in January, features protein prominently, with steak, chicken and cheese at the top. Research suggests that most US adults are eating far more protein than is needed for good health. And according to a 2025 survey of 3,000 US adults, 71 per cent said they were trying to eat more – up from 59 per cent in 2022.

Protein is an essential nutrient. But more is not necessarily better, said Bettina Mittendorfer, a professor of nutrition and exercise physiology at the University of Missouri School of Medicine. And in some cases, eating much more than what nutrition experts recommend can come with some risks.

(Excerpt) Read more at cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com ...


TOPICS: Health/Medicine; Science
KEYWORDS: donate; eatbugs; keto; ketogenic; protein

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1 posted on 06/06/2026 3:41:25 PM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway

be scared!


2 posted on 06/06/2026 3:41:55 PM PDT by TTFX
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To: nickcarraway

Why do leftists hate protein?


3 posted on 06/06/2026 3:44:51 PM PDT by reasonisfaith (What are the personal implications if the Resurrection of Christ is a true event in history?)
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To: nickcarraway

Protein is dangerous…unless it’s bug 🐜 🐛 protein. Then it’s good for you and the environment


4 posted on 06/06/2026 3:47:24 PM PDT by Jan_Sobieski (Sanctification)
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To: Jan_Sobieski

YOU VILL EAT ZEE BUGS!!


5 posted on 06/06/2026 3:48:03 PM PDT by This_Dude
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To: nickcarraway

Arnold’s Post-Workout RoutineThe “Rattler”: Arnold loves a German drink called a Radler (or Rattler). It is a mix of half lemonade and half beer. Protein Blend: He is also known to add a splash of tequila or schnapps into his post-workout protein shakes. He joked that he started doing this in the 1960s to help the protein reach his bloodstream fast. OK for Arnold, OK for me.


6 posted on 06/06/2026 3:48:32 PM PDT by kawhill (Dywedwch Wrthbym because + Add translation Welsh-English dictionary 'Tell Us')
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To: nickcarraway
Since I know FReepers want to eat right I offer the following important data:

Specific Protein Levels by Insect Type (per 100g):

High Protein Sources: Very large spiders contain up to 63g; dragonflies and true bugs (like aphids) range from 45g to 74g; wasps, bees, and ants range from 13g to 77g.

Moderate Protein Sources: Giant water bugs contain 19.8g; termite workers contain 14.2g–16.3g; crickets contain 12.9g–20g; and mealworm larvae contain 17.6g–22.4g.

Lower Protein Sources: Weevils contain 6.7g; silk worm pupae contain 9.6g; and caterpillars vary widely from 9.7g to 28.2g.

Now eat yer bugs!

7 posted on 06/06/2026 3:50:39 PM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: nickcarraway

Bookmark


8 posted on 06/06/2026 3:52:19 PM PDT by Mark (DONATE ONCE every 3 months-is that a big deal?)
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To: nickcarraway

my daughter has been on keto for 4 years. She’s 4ft.10 inches and went from 275 lbs to 118. She had surgery to remove the excess skin. She’s absolutely beautiful. She’s still eating protein and no carbs. Her cholesterol is good. I see now problem with this.


9 posted on 06/06/2026 3:53:40 PM PDT by lucky american (Had enough yet?)
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To: All

I drink beer because it has plenty of vitamin P.


10 posted on 06/06/2026 3:53:55 PM PDT by BipolarBob (Call my personal secretary, Jennie, at 867-5309.)
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To: nickcarraway

Geez.

50 grams a day is too much for the sedentary, 100 grams a day not enough for athletes...even the amateur variety.

If you lift weights regularly, 50 grams is so insufficient as to risk a hospital stay.


11 posted on 06/06/2026 3:54:35 PM PDT by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
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To: BipolarBob

“What’s the difference between a beer and a pea? Twenty minutes!” - Benny Hill


12 posted on 06/06/2026 3:54:44 PM PDT by dfwgator ("I am Charlie Kirk!")
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To: Billthedrill

https://biologyinsights.com/how-many-bugs-does-the-fda-allow-in-your-food/

The FDA allows a surprising number of insect fragments in everyday foods. Chocolate can contain up to 60 insect fragments per 100 grams before the FDA considers it contaminated. Peanut butter gets 30 fragments per 100 grams, and wheat flour is allowed up to 75 fragments per 50 grams. These limits are laid out in the FDA’s Food Defect Levels Handbook, which sets maximum thresholds for naturally occurring, unavoidable defects across dozens of common foods.


13 posted on 06/06/2026 3:56:52 PM PDT by PeterPrinciple (Thinking Caps are no longer being issued, but there must be a warehouse full of them somewhere)
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To: nickcarraway

Consuming excess red and processed meat could also increase the risk of cancer, especially colorectal cancer, Hensrud said.


could


14 posted on 06/06/2026 4:06:35 PM PDT by PeterPrinciple (Thinking Caps are no longer being issued, but there must be a warehouse full of them somewhere)
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To: Billthedrill
> High Protein Sources: Very large spiders contain up to 63g <

And sometimes much, much more. I found that out on my last trip to the desert.
Turns out I was the protein source here.

If it wasn’t for my car’s dash cam, I don’t think anyone would have believed me.

15 posted on 06/06/2026 4:09:22 PM PDT by Leaning Right
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To: Leaning Right

:-)


16 posted on 06/06/2026 4:11:35 PM PDT by LegendHasIt
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To: nickcarraway

It’s always something.
.


17 posted on 06/06/2026 4:12:14 PM PDT by CaptainK ("No matter how cynical you get, it is impossible to keep up” )
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To: nickcarraway

Protein is always good for you... You can’t get enough of it and the older you get, the more you need.


18 posted on 06/06/2026 4:14:00 PM PDT by jerod (Nazis were essentially Socialist in Hugo Boss uniforms... Get over it!)
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To: Leaning Right

Your dash cam must have a very long memory. Goes back to the 1950s! :)


19 posted on 06/06/2026 4:14:06 PM PDT by xp38
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To: nickcarraway

“Packaged cereal, popcorn, pancake mix and coffee drinks are being infused with the nutrient. And the new inverted food pyramid, released by the US government in January, features protein prominently, with steak, chicken and cheese at the top. Research suggests that most US adults are eating far more protein than is needed for good health. “

Morons. It’s not the protein in these that causes weight gain. It’s the carbs. Unless you’re a body builder or athlete you shouldn’t be eating this crap.


20 posted on 06/06/2026 4:28:41 PM PDT by HYPOCRACY (There is no gravity. The earth just sucks. )
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