The Claim
A high-protein, low-fat diet increases postprandial thermogenesis by approximately 100% compared to a high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet in healthy, young women aged 19–22, as measured 2.5 hours after meals.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
In healthy women aged 19–22, eating a high-protein, low-fat meal results in a 100% higher increase in energy expenditure after eating compared to eating a high-carbohydrate, low-fat meal, when measured 2.5 hours later.
See the scientific wording
A high-protein, low-fat diet increases postprandial thermogenesis by approximately 100% compared to a high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet in healthy, young women aged 19–22, as measured 2.5 hours after meals, suggesting a greater energy expenditure following eating.
When protein is eaten, the body breaks it down into amino acids, which are then processed in the liver to remove nitrogen waste. This process requires a lot of energy to convert toxic ammonia into urea, and building new proteins also uses energy. The heat generated from these energy-intensive steps raises body temperature and burns more calories after eating.
What the research says
1 studyThis study found that when young women ate a high-protein, low-fat meal, their bodies burned about twice as many calories afterward as when they ate a high-carb, low-fat meal. So yes, protein makes your body work harder to digest food.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.