This study compared a typical bodybuilder’s diet (~1g/lb protein) with a diet even higher in protein (~1.5g/lb). Both groups underwent an 8-week training program and had similar gains in muscle mass. However, the high protein group lost significantly more fat mass even while taking in about 400-500 more calories per day. Similar studies have been performed with less intense training protocols and didn’t get as significant of results. The takeaway is that you have to eat a high protein diet AND train incredibly hard to reduce body fat and build muscle at the same time.
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▪️ Source: Antonio, J., Ellerbroek, A., Silver, T., Orris, S., Scheiner, M., Gonzalez, A., & Peacock, C. A. (2015). A high protein diet (3.4 g/kg/d) combined with a heavy resistance training program improves body composition in healthy trained men and women–a follow-up investigation. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 12(1), 39.