Eating too much protein raises the risk of heart disease.
Too much protein puts the heart in peril
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered that consuming more than a fifth of calories from protein activates cells that clog up the arteries with plaque - a substance that damages the vessels and disrupts blood flow, leading to an increased danger of strokes and heart attacks.
High-protein diets have soared in popularity with the rise of gym culture in recent times but cardiologist Dr. Babak Razani has cautioned against "dialing up" intake of foods such as meat and eggs.
The study's senior author said: "Our study shows that dialing up your protein intake in pursuit of better metabolic health is not a panacea. You could be doing real damage to your arteries.
"Our hope is that this research starts a conversation about ways of modifying diets in a precise manner that can influence body function at a molecular level and dampen disease risks."