Eating proteins with every meal ups muscle strength in golden years

If you want your grandparents to have healthy bones, then you may have to ask them to ave an egg or tablespoon of peanut butter with every meal, finds a study.

The findings indicated that eating protein throughout the day is only linked to improved mobility in men.

According to researchers, eating protein throughout the day could be the key to maintaining muscle strength in both sexes as they grow older.

An egg or tablespoon of peanut butter with every meal should be sufficient to boost a person's protein intake, according to experts.

Researchers from McGill University in Montreal analysed 827 men and 914 women aged between 67 and 84 over three years.

The study's participant's muscle strength was assessed by measuring their hand grip, as well as their arm and leg strength.

Their mobility was determined by their ability to stand up from a seated position and their walking speed.

Their protein intake was assessed by asking the participants what they ate over two 24-hour periods.

Study author Stephanie Chevalier said, "The important point is to create three meal occasions with sufficient protein to stimulate muscle building and greater strength, instead of just one."

Lona Sandon, assistant professor in clinical nutrition at the University of Texas Southwestern, who was not involved in the study, said: 'Muscle protein is constantly being broken down and built back up.'

This occurs at a faster rate in older people.

Professor Sandon added: 'Eating protein throughout the day seems to be a means to stay in a positive protein balance longer than just eating most of your protein for the day in the evening meal.'

The findings appear in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

-ANI