Research
Energy balance
High-protein diets increase energy expenditure through diet-induced thermogenesis (DEE) and gluconeogenesis, with complete proteins (like casein) producing a higher thermogenic response than incomplete proteins (like gelatin).
Choose complete protein sources (meat, dairy, eggs, soy) over incomplete ones (gelatin) to maximize the calories you burn during digestion. Complete proteins also support muscle building better.
GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
Reported DEE values for separate nutrients are... 20 to 30 % for protein... Forty-two percent of the increase in energy expenditure after the high-protein carbohydrate-free diet was explained by the increase in gluconeogenesis... A well-balanced amino acid mixture produces a higher thermogenic response than does an amino acid mixture with a lower biological value
Why this rating
Based on respiration chamber studies cited in the review.
Source
Dietary protein – its role in satiety, energetics, weight loss and health
Margriet S. Westerterp‐Plantenga et al. · British Journal Of Nutrition · 2012
DOI 10.1017/s0007114512002589
narrative_reviewCited 437×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- A daily protein intake of 0.8–1.2 g/kg body weight during energy restriction sustains satiety, preserves fat-free mass, and prevents weight regain, with 1.2 g/kg being superior for improving body composition and resting energy expenditure.Good
- Satiety from protein is driven by elevated plasma amino acids, ketone body production (in low-carb contexts), and diet-induced thermogenesis, with specific proteins like whey and alpha-lactalbumin showing higher satiating efficacy due to their amino acid profiles.Good
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