Interest in dietary protein for improving health outcomes has significantly increased over the past two decades. A recent study published in Frontiers in Endocrinology reviews the effects of dietary protein on energy intake, appetite, and postprandial glycemia. Study: Impacts of dietary animal and plant protein on weight and glycemic control in health, obesity, and type 2 diabetes: friend or foe? Image Credit: nadianb / Shutterstock.

com The acute effects of protein intake Current evidence suggests that high-protein diets facilitate weight loss, attenuate weight gain, and improve glycemic control. Protein also reduces postprandial glycemia and suppresses energy intake, which may be attributed to its capacity to stimulate gastrointestinal (GI) hormones and postabsorptive mechanisms. The ability of protein consumption to reduce hunger and induce satiety in healthy and obese individuals is dose-dependent.

One meta-analysis found reductions in hunger food consumption, desire to eat, and an increase in fullness that was accompanied by reduced postprandial glycemic levels. These effects of increased protein consumption may only be sustained for six to 12 months. Comparisons of preloads containing milk proteins like casein or whey, turkey, egg, tuna, or soy proteins have revealed that the whey protein had the most profound effects, whereas other studies reported that whey protein was less satiating than others.

Nevertheless, milk proteins are more potent in reducing blood glucose tha.