Eating too much protein could backfire, experts warn after longevity review

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2026 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by LSEG. Instead of restricting foods, dietitian Tanya Freirich recommends building a balanced plate with vegetables, protein and starch, and swapping some animal protein for beans, lentils, nuts or seeds to support better health. A recent scientific review challenged the idea that consuming more protein necessarily leads to better health, suggesting that the optimal amount depends on factors such as age, activity level and overall health. After reviewing more than 350 studies, researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison concluded that while higher protein intake can support muscle growth and other health benefits, consuming more than the body needs may offer little advantage. In fact, it could even reduce longevity in some sedentary adults, particularly when protein comes from certain sources or amino acid profiles, they concluded. LIVING LONGER COULD