Protein consumption results in a higher thermic effect of food compared to carbohydrate or fat consumption, leading to increased postprandial energy expenditure.

Study: Brown fat-associated postprandial thermogenesis in humans: Different effects of isocaloric meals rich in carbohydrate, fat, and protein

Eating protein makes your body burn more calories digesting it than eating the same amount of carbs or fat—this study proved it by measuring exactly how many calories were burned after each type of meal.

Study: Postprandial Thermogenesis Is Increased 100% on a High-Protein, Low-Fat Diet versus a High-Carbohydrate, Low-Fat Diet in Healthy, Young Women

Eating protein makes your body work harder to digest it, so you burn more calories after a protein meal than after a carb meal — this study showed that calorie burn nearly doubled after eating protein.

Study: Thermic effect of feeding carbohydrate, fat, protein and mixed meal in lean and obese subjects.

Eating protein makes your body burn more calories during digestion than eating the same amount of fat, and this effect stays strong even in people who are overweight. It’s similar to carbs, but much better than fat.

Study: Thermic effect of feeding in man: increased plasma norepinephrine levels following glucose but not protein or fat consumption.

Eating protein makes your body work harder to digest it, burning more calories than when you eat the same amount of carbs or fat. This study confirms that.