High-protein meal
High-protein meal has been studied in 3 papers since 2021: 3 trials in people. The newest paper, Aug 20, 2025: “Postprandial amino acid profiles in older and younger adults following high and normal protein ingestion”.
3 papers study it4 findingsUpdated
“Postprandial FGF21 concentrations steadily declined over 240 min in both age groups after HF and HP, but not after dextrose or HC ingestion.”
None of its findings points the other way.
- 2 independent labs in 2 countries
- Human trial3
What did studies of High-protein meal find?
3Studies of High-protein meal measured 3 outcomes; the most studied are postprandial amino acid concentrations (1 study), autophagy (1) and postprandial FGF21 concentration (1).
Postprandial amino acid concentrations
upin humans1
1 study
Postprandial amino acid concentrations
upin humans1
High-protein meal increases postprandial amino acid concentrations in humans (p < 0.05).
“markedly higher postprandial amino acid concentrations occurred in older adults after HP.”
Human trialafter high-protein meal ingestion
Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland)
Autophagy
no changein humans1
1 study
Autophagy
no changein humans1
High-protein meal has no effect on autophagy in humans.
“consumption of a high protein meal had no impact on autophagy, with no differences between overnight fasting and postprandial autophagic flux”
Human trial1 h post-consumption vs 12 h overnight fastperipheral blood mononuclear cells1 hn = 42
A high protein meal does not change autophagy in human blood
medRxivPreprint
Postprandial FGF21 concentration
downin humans1
1 study
Postprandial FGF21 concentration
downin humans1
High-protein meal decreases postprandial FGF21 concentration in humans.
“Postprandial FGF21 concentrations steadily declined over 240 min in both age groups after HF and HP, but not after dextrose or HC ingestion.”
Human trialafter meal ingestion in older and younger adultstest meal240 min
Postprandial dynamics and response of fibroblast growth factor 21 in older adults
Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland)
What is High-protein meal linked with?
1Studies link High-protein meal with 1 measure, most often branched-chain amino acids dynamics (1 study).
Branched-chain amino acids dynamics
mixedin humans1
1 study
Branched-chain amino acids dynamics
mixedin humans1
High-protein meal is associated with branched-chain amino acids dynamics in humans (all p < 0.05).
“Older adults exhibited altered branched-chain amino acids, proline, and tyrosine dynamics (all p < 0.05) after HP ingestion.”
Human trialafter high-protein meal ingestion
Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland)