
Health Studies Hub
Your go-to source for daily breakdowns of the latest health, fitness, and nutrition research.
Meat Lowers Cancer Risk and Outmuscles Soy by 2x.
In a 2025 study from McMaster University, researchers analyzed nearly 16,000 adults from NHANES III to check if animal protein raises death risk from heart disease, cancer, or any cause. They found no link to higher mortality—animal protein even cut cancer death risk by a modest but significant amount. Plant protein showed no strong effects, but inflammatory diets with processed meats worsened outcomes.
High-Protein Breakfasts Ease Morning Anxiety.
In 2020, a scoping review by K. Ahern and team found that low protein intake and unstable blood sugar from high-carb diets worsened anxiety by 20-30%, as they disrupt serotonin production and spike stress hormones like cortisol. A 2016 study by K. M. Whitaker showed skipping breakfast raised cortisol levels in women by 15-25%, increasing morning stress and anxiety.
Extra High Protein with Training Burns Fat, Builds Strength.
In 2015, Jose Antonio and a team from Nova Southeastern University studied 48 healthy, trained adults (men and women). They split them into two groups: one ate a normal protein diet (1.04 g/lb/day), the other a high protein diet (1.54 g/lb/day) from foods like beef protein, while both did the same heavy weight training program for 8 weeks.
Higher Protein Intake Essential for Healthy Aging.
In 2025, Stephanie Harris and team from Case Western Reserve University reviewed studies on protein needs in older adults. They found protein metabolism changes with age, leading to muscle loss and weaker immunity. In the US, 30% of men and 50% of women over 71 eat too little protein due to gut issues, less appetite, tooth problems, money worries, and loneliness.
Whey Protein Boosts Muscle Growth with Exercise.
In 2025, Xiaorong Ji and team from Shanghai University of Sport reviewed 21 studies with 1,200+ healthy adults. They looked at how whey protein, taken with exercise like weight lifting or running, helps build muscle. The studies compared groups using whey (20-40g per dose) to those doing exercise alone or with other proteins, measuring muscle protein synthesis (how muscles repair and grow) and the AKT/mTOR pathway, a cell signal that turns on muscle building.
Dietary Supplements Enhance Strength and Speed in Athletes.
In 2025, Beiwang Deng and team from Guangzhou Sport University conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis to evaluate how dietary supplements, combined with conditioning training, affect athletes’ muscle strength, jump performance, sprint speed, and muscle mass.
Ozempic Sheds Fat But May Impact Heart and Lung Health.
In 2025, Zhenqi Liu and team from the University of Virginia reviewed studies on GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, focusing on their impact on cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), a key predictor of heart health and longevity. While these drugs drive significant weight loss, they also reduce fat-free mass (25-40% of total weight lost), including vital muscle, raising concerns about long-term health.
“Eat Your Protein And Lift Weights.”
“Eat Your Protein And Lift Weights. I'd say from a simple standpoint, those are the two most important things.” ~Danica Patrick