Animal or vegetable protein, which one is better? A theory is circulating that animal protein can increase acidity in the body, which causes the body to draw calcium from the bones to compensate for neutralizing the acid. This condition causes people to believe that animal protein is not good for bones. While other theories state that vegetable protein is not as good as an animal protein because it cannot be absorbed by the body optimally.
There are many myths about protein circulating that could make people afraid to consume protein. Even though this protein is essential for building muscle mass, accelerating wound healing, and fighting disease, in order not to be consumed by myths, see the following article to learn more about animal and vegetable protein differences.
What happens if you only eat vegetable protein?
Protein that enters the body will be processed into amino acids to be metabolized. Unfortunately, most vegetable proteins have amino acids that are not as complete as animal proteins. For example, many plant protein sources contain only small amounts of the amino acids methionine, tryptophan, lysine, and isoleucine.
Vegetable protein sources such as nuts and seeds are considered incomplete protein sources because they usually do not have one of the essential amino acids the body needs.
In addition, unlike animal protein sources equipped with heme and non-heme iron, vegetable protein sources only contain non-heme iron. It should be noted that the body absorbs heme iron more easily than non-heme. This condition is why a vegetarian has a higher risk of developing iron deficiency anemia.
Other nutrients, such as vitamin B12 and zinc, are also not found in vegetable protein sources. A deficiency of vitamin B12 will put a person at risk of anemia, and the body is susceptible to disease. Likewise, when a person is deficient in zinc, the body will be more susceptible to disease and infection.
What happens if you only eat animal protein?
Animal proteins such as red meat, fish, eggs, and milk are complete protein sources because they contain all the essential amino acids the body needs.
We already know that animal protein contains heme iron which can be absorbed optimally by the body. Animal protein also contains non-heme iron components. The proportion of the two irons in animal protein is 40% heme iron and 60% non-heme iron.
So it can be said that animal protein wins in terms of completeness and absorption of iron. Iron is needed by the body to transport oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. So consuming this type of food can improve oxygen circulation and prevent the risk of anemia.
Even though animal protein has complete amino acids and better iron absorption, side effects must be watched. Several studies have shown a link between red meat consumption and increased heart disease, stroke, and death risk.
Especially red meat that has been processed or burned, the risk of causing disease is increasing. The reason is how to cook red meat by roasting it can cause the formation of carcinogens.
Which is better, vegetable or animal protein?
Both animal protein and vegetable protein have good benefits for health. On the one hand, animal protein is a food with high protein quality because it has better completeness of amino acids and nutrients. On the other hand, although vegetable protein does not have as high a protein quality as animal protein, it can still provide benefits in lowering cholesterol, blood pressure, and the risk of heart disease or stroke.
In order to get optimal benefits, you should still include meat that has yet to go through various processing processes and sufficient vegetable protein into your daily diet. With a balanced intake of animal and vegetable protein, the deficiency of amino acids from vegetable protein can be completed, and the dangers of processed meat can also be avoided.