Among overweight women eating fewer calories, consuming beef protein or plant-based protein results in the same levels of fullness, food cravings, and later consumption of fats and carbohydrates.

Pro

Against

Mechanism

Synthesis from 1 study

How it works

When protein is digested, it releases amino acids that turn on the same fullness signals in the gut and brain, no matter if the protein came from beef or plants. These signals stop hunger and prevent extra eating of fat and carbs later.

Most probable mechanism

In Simple Terms

When protein is digested, it releases amino acids that activate the same gut and brain signals to stop hunger, no matter if the protein came from beef or plants. These signals make a person feel full and stop them from eating more fat or carbs later.

Causal chain

Dietary protein is hydrolyzed into free amino acids and small peptides in the gastrointestinal tract.

Verified by multiple studies

which leads to

Amino acids and peptides activate CCK and GLP-1 secretion from enteroendocrine cells in the duodenum and ileum.

Verified by multiple studies

which leads to

CCK and GLP-1 bind to vagal afferent receptors, transmitting satiety signals to the nucleus tractus solitarius in the brainstem.

Verified by multiple studies

which leads to

The brainstem integrates these signals with hypothalamic appetite centers, suppressing hunger and reducing motivation to consume additional calories from fat and carbohydrates.

Verified by multiple studies

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Community contributions welcome

Increased Protein Consumption during the Day from an Energy-Restricted Diet Augments Satiety but Does Not Reduce Daily Fat or Carbohydrate Intake on a Free-Living Test Day in Overweight Women.

Randomized Controlled Trial

Human

2017 Dec

Contradicting (0)

Community contributions welcome

No contradicting evidence found

Gold Standard Evidence Needed

According to GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this specific claim, ordered from strongest to weakest evidence.

Source Study

Increased Protein Consumption during the Day from an Energy-Restricted Diet Augments Satiety but Does Not Reduce Daily Fat or Carbohydrate Intake on a Free-Living Test Day in Overweight Women.

Score: 68

DOI: 10.3945/jn.117.255554

Similar Assertions

In overweight women eating fewer calories, increasing daily protein intake from 48 grams to 124 grams does not change how much fat and carbohydrate-rich food they eat later, even though they report feeling fuller and having fewer food cravings.

83%

In overweight women on a 1250 kcal/day diet, eating 124 grams of protein per day does not lead to lower overall calorie intake when they are allowed to eat freely afterward, even though they report feeling fuller and having fewer food cravings.

81%

In overweight women eating a 1250 kcal/day diet, increasing protein intake from 48 grams to 124 grams per day reduces hunger, desire to eat, prospective food consumption, and fast-food cravings, while increasing feelings of fullness, but does not change how much fat- and carbohydrate-rich food they eat afterward.

80%

Overweight women who eat 124 grams of protein per day while on a 1250-calorie diet experience lower hunger, less desire to eat, reduced thoughts about future food intake, and fewer cravings for fast food than those who eat 48 grams of protein per day on the same diet.

77%

Even small changes in how much protein is in a meal — not huge amounts — can help people feel fuller and eat less, whether they’re lean or obese.

72%