Sep 14, 2023, 07:23 PM IST

10 dangerous side effects of too much protein

Shweta Singh

High protein intake can put excess strain on your kidneys, as they must work harder to filter out the waste products of protein metabolism. This can potentially lead to kidney damage or exacerbate existing kidney problems.

Kidney Strain

A diet high in protein may increase your water needs because protein metabolism produces waste products that need to be flushed out through urine. If you don't drink enough water, dehydration can occur.

Dehydration

Excessive protein consumption can lead to the leaching of calcium from your bones to buffer the acidic byproducts of protein metabolism, potentially increasing the risk of osteoporosis over time.

Osteoporosis

Very high protein diets may cause digestive discomfort, such as constipation, due to a lack of dietary fiber and an imbalance in nutrient intake.

Digestive Issues

Excessive protein intake can lead to imbalances in other nutrients, such as an inadequate intake of carbohydrates and essential fats, which are also necessary for overall health.

Nutrient Imbalance

Your liver is responsible for processing excess nitrogen from protein metabolism. A high-protein diet can strain the liver and potentially lead to liver damage over time.

Liver Damage

Some high-protein diets are also high in saturated fats and cholesterol, which can increase the risk of heart disease if consumed excessively.

Heart Disease Risk

Contrary to popular belief, excessive protein intake can contribute to weight gain, as the excess calories from protein can be stored as fat if not used for energy.

Weight Gain

A diet high in protein can lead to bad breath, as the breakdown of protein can produce ammonia and other foul-smelling compounds.

Bad Breath

Some studies have suggested a link between high-protein diets, particularly those rich in animal protein, and an increased risk of certain cancers, such as colorectal cancer.

Increased Cancer Risk