There are potential benefitsTrusted Source to a high-protein diet for otherwise healthy people. However, it’s important to understand the health concerns related to excess protein in the body, especially if you follow an excessively high-protein diet for an extended period.

👉Weight gain.

Excess protein consumed is usually stored as fat, while the surplus of amino acids is excreted. This can lead to weight gain over time, especially if you consume too many calories while trying to increase your protein intake.

👉Bad breath.

Eating large amounts of protein can lead to bad breath, especially if you restrict your carbohydrate intake.

In an older registry, 40 percent of participants reported bad breath. This could be in part because your body goes into a metabolic state called ketosis, which produces chemicals that give off an unpleasant fruity smell.

👉Constipation.

High-protein diets that restrict carbohydrates are typically low in fiber.

Increasing your water and fiber intake can help prevent constipation. Tracking your bowel movements may be helpful.

👉Diarrhea.

Eating too much dairy or processed food, coupled with a lack of fiber, can cause diarrhea. This is especially true if you’re lactose-intolerant or consume protein sources such as fried meat, fish, and poultry.

👉Dehydration.

Your body flushes out excess nitrogen with fluids and water. This can leave you dehydrated even though you may not feel more thirsty than usual.

👉Calcium loss .

Diets that are high in protein and meat may cause calcium loss. This is sometimes associated with osteoporosis and poor bone health.

👉Kidney damage.

While no major studies  link high protein intake to kidney damage in healthy individuals, excess protein can cause damage in people with preexisting kidney disease.

This is because of the excess nitrogen found in the amino acids that make up proteins. Damaged kidneys have to work harder to get rid of the extra nitrogen and waste products of protein metabolism.

👉Heart disease.

Eating lots of red meat and full-fat dairy foods as part of a high-protein diet may lead to heart disease. This could be related to higher intakes of saturated fat and cholesterol and thus increased chance of heart disease.

Sources - healthline.com

Photo credits - https://doctor.n