Researchers have found that consuming lower amounts of protein-rich foods may negatively affect physical functioning as people grow older, highlighting the important role protein plays in maintaining muscle strength, mobility, and independence in later life. In a study published in the journal Nutrients, an international team of researchers reported that everyday dietary habits, particularly the regular consumption of protein-rich foods, can influence how well people move and carry out daily activities as they age.
The study was conducted by 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 team analyzed data from more than 38,000 adults aged 50 and older across 27 European countries using information from the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe. Participants were followed over several years, allowing researchers to examine the relationship between long-term dietary patterns and changes in physical functioning.
The analysis found that adults who regularly consumed lower amounts of protein-rich foods, including eggs, legumes, fish, and poultry, were more likely to experience declines in muscle strength and increasing difficulty performing everyday tasks over time. According to Dr. Qaisar, individuals with consistently low protein intake were more likely to report challenges with activities such as walking short distances, climbing stairs, reaching overhead, and managing routine errands like grocery shopping. These associations were especially apparent among older adults, with some differences observed between men and women.
Functional impairments, including difficulties with walking, maintaining balance, rising from a chair, and climbing stairs, are common consequences of aging. However, the researchers suggest that inadequate protein intake may contribute to these declines. “Simple movements such as walking, standing up, or carrying groceries require muscle strength, balance, and coordination,” said Dr. Qaisar. “When protein intake is low over long periods, the body may struggle to maintain these systems, increasing the risk of functional decline and loss of independence.” The authors noted that declining physical function can reduce quality of life while increasing the risk of falls, hospitalization, and admission to long-term care facilities.
Rather than focusing on supplements or specialized diets, the study examined real-world eating habits and the role of commonly consumed foods such as milk, yogurt, eggs, legumes, fish, and poultry. Because dietary habits can be modified, the findings point to practical opportunities for promoting healthier aging. The researchers suggest that identifying older adults with low protein intake may allow for early, low-cost interventions aimed at preserving strength, mobility, and independence. They noted that while protein’s importance for muscle health is well established, its long-term effects on physical function across different age groups and between men and women have received relatively little attention.
As populations continue to age worldwide, the authors argue that simple lifestyle factors such as daily food choices may play an important role in supporting active and independent living. Their findings showed that lower habitual protein intake was associated with greater odds of reduced handgrip strength and mobility-related limitations among older adults. The relationship between protein intake and handgrip strength was stronger in men, while functional limitations such as difficulty walking 100 metres, stooping, kneeling, reaching above shoulder height, and shopping for groceries were reported more frequently among women. “Altogether, this study demonstrates that lower habitual protein intake is associated with a higher likelihood of short-term incident muscle weakness and functional difficulties among older European adults,” the authors concluded. “These findings suggest that habitual protein intake may play a contributory role in maintaining physical function in aging populations.”
More information: Rizwan Qaisar et al, Low Protein Intake Is Associated with the Risk of Functional Impairment in Older Adults in an Age- and Gender-Specific Manner: A SHARE-Based Study, Nutrients. DOI: 10.3390/nu18071058
Journal information: Nutrients Provided by University of Sharjah
