Researchers have found that consuming lower amounts of protein-rich foods may negatively affect physical functioning as people grow older, underscoring the vital function protein plays in preserving mobility and muscle strength in adulthood. In a large aging cohort study published in the journal Nutrients, the researchers report that regular dietary habits, particularly the consumption of protein-rich foods, can influence how well individuals move and perform daily activities later in life.
The study was jointly conducted by an international team of researchers from the University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, Roskilde University in Denmark, the University of Helsinki in Finland, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University in Pakistan, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences in Saudi Arabia, and the Medical University of Vienna in Austria.
Led by Dr. Rizwan Qaisar, associate professor of muscle cell physiology at the University of Sharjah, the research team analyzed data from more than 38,000 adults aged fifty and above from 27 European countries. The data were drawn from the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe. Participants were followed over several years, allowing researchers to compare their long-term eating habits with changes in physical strength and daily functioning.
