GITNUXREPORT 2025

Protein Statistics

Protein is essential; sources include animal, plant, supplements, with various health benefits.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

The human body contains about 20% protein by weight

Statistic 2

Protein intake has been associated with increased satiety and reduced calorie intake, leading to weight management benefits

Statistic 3

The amino acid leucine plays a critical role in muscle protein synthesis, especially in post-exercise recovery

Statistic 4

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) make up about 35% of the essential amino acids in muscle proteins

Statistic 5

Increasing protein intake can help improve bone health by increasing calcium absorption, though excessive protein intake may lead to calcium loss

Statistic 6

Whey protein is a fast-digesting protein commonly used after workouts to promote muscle recovery

Statistic 7

A high-protein diet may promote weight loss by increasing satiety and reducing overall calorie intake, especially when combined with exercise

Statistic 8

Protein accounts for approximately 17% of the total body protein in the human body, which is essential for structural and functional purposes

Statistic 9

The amino acid histidine is essential for infants but semi-essential for adults, playing a role in growth and repair

Statistic 10

Collagen, a structural protein, makes up about 30% of total body protein and is important for skin, bones, and connective tissues

Statistic 11

Eating sufficient protein can help preserve muscle mass during aging, reducing the risk of sarcopenia

Statistic 12

The amino acid phenylalanine is an essential amino acid involved in the biosynthesis of neurotransmitters like dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine

Statistic 13

The global protein supplement market was valued at approximately $19 billion in 2021, and is projected to reach $30 billion by 2028

Statistic 14

Protein supplements are among the most popular dietary supplements globally, especially among athletes and bodybuilders

Statistic 15

Pea protein is gaining popularity as a plant-based protein alternative due to its favorable amino acid profile and allergen-free status

Statistic 16

The average adult should consume roughly 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily

Statistic 17

The World Health Organization recommends a daily protein intake of 0.66 grams per kilogram of body weight for adults

Statistic 18

The average American consumes approximately 100 grams of protein per day, which exceeds the recommended daily allowance for most adults

Statistic 19

The body can produce non-essential amino acids, but essential amino acids must come from the diet

Statistic 20

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein varies by age, sex, and activity level but generally is about 46 grams per day for women and 56 grams for men

Statistic 21

Consuming high-quality proteins from a variety of sources helps ensure adequate amino acid intake, especially for vegetarians and vegans

Statistic 22

An estimated 30% of the world's population consumes insufficient protein, particularly in developing countries, leading to malnutrition

Statistic 23

A vegan diet can provide adequate protein if carefully planned to include a variety of plant sources, such as legumes, grains, nuts, and seeds

Statistic 24

The average gym-goer consumes about 2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight in their diet to support muscle building, often exceeding recommended levels

Statistic 25

Eggs are considered one of the highest-quality protein sources with a biological value of 94

Statistic 26

Plant-based proteins generally have lower digestibility scores compared to animal proteins

Statistic 27

The protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) is used to evaluate protein quality, with eggs scoring a perfect 1.0

Statistic 28

The bioavailability of plant-based proteins is generally lower than that of animal proteins due to fiber and anti-nutritional factors

Statistic 29

The Maillard reaction during cooking can decrease protein digestibility, especially when foods are overcooked or processed at high temperatures

Statistic 30

The protein efficiency ratio (PER) is a measure of protein quality based on the weight gain of a test subject divided by its intake of a particular protein during a specified period

Statistic 31

Animal proteins such as beef, pork, and chicken provide all nine essential amino acids, classifying them as complete proteins

Statistic 32

The dairy protein casein makes up about 80% of the proteins in cow's milk

Statistic 33

The amino acid profile of soy protein is comparable to that of animal proteins, making it a good plant-based protein source

Statistic 34

The highest dietary sources of protein include meat, dairy, eggs, fish, and some plant-based sources like legumes and nuts

Statistic 35

Red meat is a dense source of protein, providing approximately 26 grams of protein per 100 grams serving

Statistic 36

Over 60% of the total protein consumed in Western diets comes from animal sources, primarily beef, poultry, and dairy

Statistic 37

Plant-based proteins often lack one or more essential amino acids but can be combined to form complete proteins, such as rice and beans

Statistic 38

The protein content of quinoa is approximately 14% by weight and is considered a complete protein plant source

Statistic 39

Insects such as crickets are considered a sustainable source of high-quality protein, with environmental impacts significantly lower than traditional livestock

Statistic 40

The world's most consumed protein supplement is whey protein, owing to its high digestibility and complete amino acid profile

Slide 1 of 40

Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

The human body contains about 20% protein by weight
The average adult should consume roughly 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily
Eggs are considered one of the highest-quality protein sources with a biological value of 94
Protein intake has been associated with increased satiety and reduced calorie intake, leading to weight management benefits
The global protein supplement market was valued at approximately $19 billion in 2021, and is projected to reach $30 billion by 2028
The amino acid leucine plays a critical role in muscle protein synthesis, especially in post-exercise recovery
Plant-based proteins generally have lower digestibility scores compared to animal proteins
The protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) is used to evaluate protein quality, with eggs scoring a perfect 1.0
The World Health Organization recommends a daily protein intake of 0.66 grams per kilogram of body weight for adults
Animal proteins such as beef, pork, and chicken provide all nine essential amino acids, classifying them as complete proteins
The dairy protein casein makes up about 80% of the proteins in cow's milk
Protein supplements are among the most popular dietary supplements globally, especially among athletes and bodybuilders
Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) make up about 35% of the essential amino acids in muscle proteins

Did you know that protein makes up about 20% of our body weight and plays a crucial role in everything from muscle recovery to weight management, fueling industries worth billions and sparking a global quest for the highest quality sources?

Body Function and Health Benefits

The human body contains about 20% protein by weight
Protein intake has been associated with increased satiety and reduced calorie intake, leading to weight management benefits
The amino acid leucine plays a critical role in muscle protein synthesis, especially in post-exercise recovery
Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) make up about 35% of the essential amino acids in muscle proteins
Increasing protein intake can help improve bone health by increasing calcium absorption, though excessive protein intake may lead to calcium loss
Whey protein is a fast-digesting protein commonly used after workouts to promote muscle recovery
A high-protein diet may promote weight loss by increasing satiety and reducing overall calorie intake, especially when combined with exercise
Protein accounts for approximately 17% of the total body protein in the human body, which is essential for structural and functional purposes
The amino acid histidine is essential for infants but semi-essential for adults, playing a role in growth and repair
Collagen, a structural protein, makes up about 30% of total body protein and is important for skin, bones, and connective tissues
Eating sufficient protein can help preserve muscle mass during aging, reducing the risk of sarcopenia
The amino acid phenylalanine is an essential amino acid involved in the biosynthesis of neurotransmitters like dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine

Body Function and Health Benefits Interpretation

While proteins constitute a substantial 20% of our body weight and serve as vital structural and functional components—ranging from collagen making up 30% of body protein to amino acids like leucine boosting muscle recovery—their intake, much like a double-edged sword, can enhance weight management and bone health when balanced properly, yet excess may tip into calcium loss or metabolic imbalance, underscoring the delicate harmony our bodies maintain with these molecular workhorses.

Market Trends and Industry Data

The global protein supplement market was valued at approximately $19 billion in 2021, and is projected to reach $30 billion by 2028
Protein supplements are among the most popular dietary supplements globally, especially among athletes and bodybuilders
Pea protein is gaining popularity as a plant-based protein alternative due to its favorable amino acid profile and allergen-free status

Market Trends and Industry Data Interpretation

With the global protein supplement market surging toward $30 billion by 2028, it's clear that as more consumers seek plant-based and high-quality options like pea protein, the era of protein powders is not just a trend but a substantial shift in how we fuel our bodies—making the case that muscle and conscience are increasingly intertwined.

Nutrition and Dietary Recommendations

The average adult should consume roughly 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily
The World Health Organization recommends a daily protein intake of 0.66 grams per kilogram of body weight for adults
The average American consumes approximately 100 grams of protein per day, which exceeds the recommended daily allowance for most adults
The body can produce non-essential amino acids, but essential amino acids must come from the diet
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein varies by age, sex, and activity level but generally is about 46 grams per day for women and 56 grams for men
Consuming high-quality proteins from a variety of sources helps ensure adequate amino acid intake, especially for vegetarians and vegans
An estimated 30% of the world's population consumes insufficient protein, particularly in developing countries, leading to malnutrition
A vegan diet can provide adequate protein if carefully planned to include a variety of plant sources, such as legumes, grains, nuts, and seeds
The average gym-goer consumes about 2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight in their diet to support muscle building, often exceeding recommended levels

Nutrition and Dietary Recommendations Interpretation

While most Americans gladly surpass their daily protein needs with a protein shake or two, the world’s undernourished still struggle for enough amino acids, highlighting that sometimes, too much of a good thing—like our average 100 grams daily—can be a protein paradox in the quest for health.

Protein Quality and Digestibility

Eggs are considered one of the highest-quality protein sources with a biological value of 94
Plant-based proteins generally have lower digestibility scores compared to animal proteins
The protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) is used to evaluate protein quality, with eggs scoring a perfect 1.0
The bioavailability of plant-based proteins is generally lower than that of animal proteins due to fiber and anti-nutritional factors
The Maillard reaction during cooking can decrease protein digestibility, especially when foods are overcooked or processed at high temperatures
The protein efficiency ratio (PER) is a measure of protein quality based on the weight gain of a test subject divided by its intake of a particular protein during a specified period

Protein Quality and Digestibility Interpretation

While eggs boast near-perfect PDCAAS scores and a bioavailability advantage over plant proteins marred by fiber and anti-nutrients, overcooking can diminish their nutritional edge, reminding us that even the highest-quality protein needs careful handling to truly deliver on its promise.

Protein Sources and Types

Animal proteins such as beef, pork, and chicken provide all nine essential amino acids, classifying them as complete proteins
The dairy protein casein makes up about 80% of the proteins in cow's milk
The amino acid profile of soy protein is comparable to that of animal proteins, making it a good plant-based protein source
The highest dietary sources of protein include meat, dairy, eggs, fish, and some plant-based sources like legumes and nuts
Red meat is a dense source of protein, providing approximately 26 grams of protein per 100 grams serving
Over 60% of the total protein consumed in Western diets comes from animal sources, primarily beef, poultry, and dairy
Plant-based proteins often lack one or more essential amino acids but can be combined to form complete proteins, such as rice and beans
The protein content of quinoa is approximately 14% by weight and is considered a complete protein plant source
Insects such as crickets are considered a sustainable source of high-quality protein, with environmental impacts significantly lower than traditional livestock
The world's most consumed protein supplement is whey protein, owing to its high digestibility and complete amino acid profile

Protein Sources and Types Interpretation

While animal proteins like beef, dairy, and eggs dominate Western diets with their complete amino acid profiles and dense yields—making them the go-to sources—plant-based options such as soy and quinoa offer sustainable, albeit sometimes incomplete, alternatives that can be combined to meet nutritional needs, and even insects are stepping into the spotlight as eco-friendly high-protein contenders, reminding us that the quest for the perfect protein is perhaps as much about sustainability and innovation as it is about biology.