The Claim
In healthy older adults with sufficient total daily protein intake, consuming protein in multiple moderate doses (0.45 g/kg/meal) does not result in a greater muscle protein synthesis response than consuming a single large dose (0.9 g/kg).
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 older adults who consume enough protein each day, splitting protein intake into two smaller meals does not increase muscle protein synthesis more than consuming the same total amount in one larger meal.
See the scientific wording
The muscle protein synthesis response to dietary protein in healthy older adults is not enhanced by consuming protein in multiple moderate doses (0.45 g/kg/meal) compared to a single large dose (0.9 g/kg) when total daily intake is sufficient, suggesting that the anabolic ceiling per meal is not exceeded by larger single meals.
When a large amount of protein is consumed, muscle cells absorb amino acids rapidly, but their ability to activate protein building signals reaches a maximum quickly. After that point, more amino acids do not turn on more protein production, so splitting the same total amount into smaller meals does not make more muscle protein.
What the research says
1 studyIn older adults, eating all your protein in one big meal builds muscle just as well as spreading it out over smaller meals — your muscles don’t use extra protein from a big meal any better.
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.