Despite growing consumer enthusiasm for high-protein diets — fuelled by food marketing and updated US dietary guidelines that prominently feature animal proteins — nutrition experts caution that consuming far more protein than the body needs can carry significant health risks. Researchers say potential problems emerge when intake exceeds roughly 1.2 grams per kilogram of body weight per day, with heavy reliance on red and processed meats linked to elevated risks of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, colorectal cancer, and digestive issues including constipation caused by reduced fibre intake. Experts recommend balancing protein consumption with vegetables, whole grains, and plant-based or lean protein sources, and note that people with chronic kidney disease face particular dangers from high protein loads, which can accelerate the loss of kidney function.