Researchers from the University of Southern California have suggested that a high protein diet could be as damaging to our health as smoking a packet of 20 cigarettes per day. The study found that those with a high level of protein in their diet under the age of 65 had a significantly higher risk of dying from cancer than those who have a low protein diet.

The research was carried out on a total of 6,318 adults who were all over 50 years of age. The research indicated that those with high levels of protein in their diets were 74% more susceptible to early death from any cause than those with a low protein diet. The research also suggested that they were several times more likely to die from diabetes.

Dr Valter Longo, Professor of Biogerontology at the USC Davis School of Gerontology who authored the study has said “High levels of protein can be can be as bad for you as smoking. People should understand the distinction and be able to make the decision about what they eat. “Some proteins are better for you than others, for example plant-based proteins like beans. Vegans seem to do better in studies than those who eat animal based proteins. Red meat always comes out top as the worst and that’s probably due to its other components.”