Researchers have found that low intake of protein-rich foods can negatively impact physical function as we age, highlighting the important role protein plays in maintaining mobility and muscle strength in adulthood.
In a large aging cohort study published in the journal nutrientsresearchers report that regular dietary habits, especially the intake of protein-rich foods, can influence how well an individual moves and performs daily activities later in life.
The study was jointly conducted by an international team of researchers from the University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, Roskilde University in Denmark, the University of Helsinki in Finland, Shifa Tamer-e-Millat University in Pakistan, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University of Health Sciences in Saudi Arabia, and the Medical University of Vienna in Austria.
The research team, led by Dr. Rizwan Qaiser, Associate Professor of Muscle Cell Physiology at the University of Sharjah, analyzed data from more than 38,000 adults aged 50 and over from 27 European countries. This data is extracted from the Health, Aging and Retirement Survey in Europe. Participants were followed over several years, allowing researchers to compare changes in diet and physical fitness and daily functioning over time.
The results of this analysis led the researchers to believe that adults who frequently consume fewer protein-rich foods, such as eggs, legumes, fish, and poultry, are more likely to experience muscle weakness and difficulty with activities of daily living over time.
The results showed that people with consistently low protein intake were more likely to report problems managing daily tasks such as walking short distances, climbing stairs, reaching overhead, and shopping. These associations were particularly pronounced in older adults, and the patterns were somewhat different for men and women. ”
Dr. AS Rizwan Qaisar, Associate Professor of Muscle Cell Physiology, University of Sharjah
Inadequate protein intake and physical disorders
Scientists have linked functional impairments, such as a progressive decline in the ability to perform daily tasks such as climbing stairs, getting up from a chair, walking, and maintaining balance, to commonly associated consequences of aging.
“Simple movements like walking, standing, and carrying groceries require strength, balance, and coordination,” explains Dr. Kaiser. “When protein intake is low for long periods of time, the body struggles to maintain these systems, which can increase the risk of decreased function and loss of independence.”
The authors emphasize that these limitations not only reduce independence and quality of life, but also increase the risk of falls, hospitalization, and admission to long-term care facilities. “Functional decline is multifactorial, involving deterioration of the musculoskeletal system, neurological changes, and nutritional deficiencies,” the researchers said.
Importantly, this study looked at real-world dietary patterns, rather than supplements or dietary restrictions. The paper highlights how regular consumption of everyday foods such as milk, yoghurt, eggs, legumes, fish and poultry can support healthy aging.
The researchers emphasize the practical implications of their findings, given that eating habits can be modified. Identifying older adults with low protein intake may provide an opportunity for early and low-cost intervention aimed at maintaining mobility, independence, and overall quality of life.
“Functional decline and sarcopenia are major concerns associated with aging. Protein intake is known to influence muscle health, but the long-term effects on muscle strength and physical function across age and gender are not yet understood,” the researchers wrote. “We assessed whether lower protein intake correlates with the future development of handgrip strength loss (HGS) and physical disability in older adults.”
Protein intake and an active and independent lifestyle
As populations around the world continue to age, the authors suggest that paying attention to simple lifestyle factors, such as daily dietary choices, may help slow physical decline and support active, independent living for longer periods.
This large, multinational study of older European adults found that lower habitual protein intake was independently associated with higher odds of poorer grip strength and difficulty with mobility-related activities.
The association between protein intake and grip strength was stronger in men, whereas functional limitations such as walking 100 meters, bending over, kneeling, reaching arms above shoulder level, and grocery shopping were more commonly reported in women. “These findings demonstrate an association between habitual protein intake and short-term changes,” the authors noted.
Dr. Kayser emphasized that protein is not only important for athletes looking to build muscle. Rather, consistent intake from common dietary sources plays an important role in maintaining physical strength and the ability to perform daily activities, especially as we age.
“Taken together, this study shows that low habitual protein intake is likely to result in short-term muscle weakness and functional impairment in older European adults,” the authors conclude. “These findings suggest that habitual protein intake may contribute to maintaining physical function in aging populations.”
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Reference magazines:
Kaiser, R. Others. (2026). Low protein intake is associated with age- and sex-specific risk of functional disability in older adults: a SHARE-based study. nutrients. DOI: 10.3390/nu18071058. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/7/1058.
