Research
Macro partitioning
Higher dietary protein intake in athletes positively correlates with increased gut microbial diversity and specific taxa abundance, such as Akkermansia.
Increasing protein intake, particularly from sources like whey protein supplements common in athletic diets, may support a more diverse gut microbiome, including beneficial bacteria like Akkermansia. This is observed in high-performing athletes.
ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
Significantly, positive associations were noted between microbial diversity and protein intake... The athletes in the low body mass index (BMI) group had significantly higher proportions of the genus Akkermansia levels compared with the high BMI group.
Why this rating
Correlational data from an observational study; cannot prove causation between protein and diversity.
Source
Exercise and associated dietary extremes impact on gut microbial diversity
Siobhan F. Clarke et al. · Gut · 2014
DOI 10.1136/gutjnl-2013-306541
cross_sectional · n=86Cited 1,404×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
Related findings · Macro partitioning
- Total daily protein intake of 1.6 g/kg/day is sufficient for maximizing resistance training-induced muscle gains, with an upper confidence interval of 2.2 g/kg/day.Strong
- Resistance exercise training combined with sufficient dietary protein intake acts synergistically to maximize skeletal muscle hypertrophy, with protein intake saturating around 1.6 g/kg/day for general populations and potentially requiring 2.0-2.2 g/kg/day for resistance-trained individuals.Strong
- Trans fats should be completely eliminated from the diet, as they increase LDL cholesterol, decrease HDL cholesterol, and are directly associated with increased coronary risk.Strong
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →