Protein source linked to death risk in Iranian adults
Each extra 10 grams of daily total protein was linked to higher death risk, with a hazard ratio—a relative risk measure—of 1.02.
Our read
Populations- Studied:
- Cohort study of 43,050 adults aged 40-75 years, mean 15.05 years
- What changed:
- All-cause mortality was lower with higher plant protein intake (HR for 10 g intake 0.97, 95% CI 0.95-1.00)
- In the record:
- The 35th paper on animal protein with results in people; 86 on record in all. Its result on mortality agrees with 1 of 5 other findings on record; 3 point the other way and 1 found no change.
Editor of record: Boris Djordjevic · AgingResearch.News
Among 43,050 adults aged 40–75 in Golestan Province, Iran, a prospective observational cohort study examined protein intake and death risk. Participants had no cardiovascular disease or cancer at enrollment. Researchers assessed diet through questionnaires at enrollment and tracked deaths annually for a mean of 15.05 years, recording 9,309 deaths.
Higher total and animal protein intakes were linked to higher overall death risk. Both were also linked to higher cardiovascular death risk, while plant protein was linked to lower overall death risk. Statistical models also linked replacing total or animal protein with carbohydrates or fat to lower overall and cardiovascular death risks.
Why it matters
Dietary protein is essential for health. The authors suggested that a balanced mix of animal and plant protein may support longevity.
Caveats
Diet was self-reported at enrollment, and people eating different protein sources may also have differed in unmeasured health or lifestyle factors. Participants were aged 40–75 at enrollment and had no cardiovascular disease or cancer, limiting relevance to people outside that population.
From the paper
- Participants
We analysed data from 43,050 individuals (24,799 females and 18,251 males; 34,059 rural and 8,991 urban) with a mean follow-up period of 15.05 years.
- Follow-up
We analysed data from 43,050 individuals (24,799 females and 18,251 males; 34,059 rural and 8,991 urban) with a mean follow-up period of 15.05 years.
- Result
Total protein intake was associated with higher all-cause mortality (HR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01–1.03) and CVD mortality (HR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00–1.03) but not cancer mortality in the total population.
Quoted word for word from the full text on PubMed Central.
The paper
University of Tehran; National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute
BMC Public Health, Jun 15, 2026, Open access
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