A study carried out by researchers from the Canadian McMaster University has concluded that potatoes can be a source of high-quality protein that helps maintain muscles.
The researchers studied a group of women in their twenties who were on diets following the Recommended Daily Allowance (CDR) of 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of weight per day, i.e. about 60 grams of protein for the average woman.
A group of participants consumed additional potato protein in isolation, doubling their CDR intake to 1.6 g/kg/day. Meanwhile, a control group received a placebo.
The researchers found that the women who consumed the extra potato protein increased the rate at which their muscles produced new protein, while the group that consumed the placebo did not.
It is an interesting finding that the researchers did not expect. This discovery shows that the recommended daily allowance is inadequate to support muscle maintenance in young women. This is an extremely interesting find, given that it is a form of protein derived from vegetables, which is generally considered to be of lower quality than the protein of animal origin.
The world's demand for protein has increased dramatically in recent years and plant-based protein could serve to fill this gap. The findings, published in the journal Nutrients, provide evidence that the quality of plant proteins can support muscle wellness.
Source: elnacional.cat
