The Many Health Benefits of Protein

Protein. That’s what it’s all about here at Oobli. We talk a lot about how protein is critical and vital to our bodies as, quite literally, the building blocks of life. While our mission here is to deliver healthy sweetness through sweet proteins, hypersweet plant proteins that we use to sweeten our Oobli chocolates and will be used in other brands’ products in the near future.

Proteins are really just bundles of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. And our bodies love proteins. In fact, proteins make up about 42% of the dry weight of our bodies. We are hyper efficient at metabolizing proteins, so using protein as a sweetener means it’s all upside from a health perspective. No blood sugar or insulin rises, and no effect on the gut microbiome…

The Health Benefits of Protein

Aside from protein-sweetened treats here at Oobli, increasing your protein intake can provide numerous benefits for your body. Here are 10 reasons to up your protein intake and what it can do for your health.

1. Supports Muscle Growth and Repair

• Protein provides the amino acids necessary to build and repair muscle tissue.This is particularly beneficial for athletes, those recovering from injuries, or individuals engaging in resistance training.

2. Helps with Weight Management

• Protein-rich meals help you feel fuller for longer, reducing overall calorie intake, and more protein can boost metabolism. The thermic effect of food (TEF) is higher for protein, meaning your body burns more calories digesting and metabolizing protein compared to fats and carbohydrates.

3. Improves Bone Health

• Adequate protein intake is associated with better bone density and a reduced risk of osteoporosis, particularly in older adults, and dairy can be especially beneficial if you tolerate it. 

4. Supports Immune Function

• Many components of the immune system, such as antibodies and immune cells, are composed of proteins. Consuming enough protein helps maintain a robust immune response.

5. Promotes Healthy Skin, Hair, and Nails

• Protein provides essential building blocks like keratin and collagen, which are vital for maintaining healthy and strong skin, hair, and nails and more. These types of protein also supply glycine, which can help balance out the effects of eating a diet heavy in lean animal protein. 

6. Enhances Recovery

• Protein can help repair damaged tissues and speeds up recovery after exercise, surgery, or injury.

7. Helps Maintain Healthy Hormones

• Proteins are essential for producing and regulating hormones that control various bodily functions, including growth, mood, and metabolism.

8. Supports Enzyme Production

• Proteins are required for synthesizing enzymes, which are crucial for healthy digestion and other metabolic processes.

9. Preserves and Supports Lean Body Mass

• During weight loss, a higher protein intake can help preserve muscle mass while promoting fat loss. Lean body mass has been associated with longevity and better health. 

10. Stabilizes Blood Sugar Levels

• Protein slows down the absorption of glucose, which helps stabilize blood sugar levels and prevent spikes and crashes in energy. This is one reason why Oobli sweet proteins are such a game-changer vs sugar or alternative sweeteners. 

Choose high-quality protein sources, such as:

• Lean meats, poultry, and fish

• Eggs

• Dairy products (e.g., yogurt, milk, cheese)

• Plant-based options (e.g., beans, lentils, tofu, tempeh, quinoa, nuts, and seeds)

• Protein powders can be added for higher-protein needs, including whey, egg white, and plant protein powders like pea, rice and pumpkin seed protein. 

Protein needs vary by age and activity levels, but in general, getting adequate protein is mostly upside. And when you're looking for a sweet treat, try Oobli chocolate, the worlds first and only protein-sweetened chocolate!