A year-long study of the eating habits of 9341 Australians has shown growing evidence that highly processed and refined foods are the main cause of rising obesity rates in Western countries. The new study, based on a national survey on nutrition and physical activity conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), further supports the “protein leverage hypothesis”. The protein leverage hypothesis posits that people eat too much fat and carbohydrates because the body has a strong need for protein, which the body prefers over anything else. Because many modern diets consist of highly processed and refined foods that are low in protein, people are forced to eat more energy-dense foods until protein needs are met. Proteins are the building blocks of life: Every cell in the body contains proteins, which are used to repair cells or make new ones. It is estimated that the human body requires more than a million forms of protein to function properly. Protein sources include meat, milk, fish, eggs, soy, beans, legumes, and some grains such as wheat germ and quinoa.
This article is reprinted from: https://www.solidot.org/story?sid=73327
This site is for inclusion only, and the copyright belongs to the original author.