Lower protein intake linked to weaker physical function in older adults

By AI, Created 6:01 AM UTC, May 29, 2026, /AGP/ – A large European aging study found that older adults who regularly ate less protein were more likely to develop weaker grip strength and greater difficulty with everyday tasks over time. The findings suggest that routine food choices may help shape mobility, independence and fall risk as people age.

Why it matters: - Lower protein intake may increase the risk of losing strength and independence as people age. - The findings matter because reduced mobility can raise the likelihood of falls, hospitalization and long-term care. - The study points to a low-cost, practical target for earlier nutrition interventions in older adults.

What happened: - Researchers analyzed data from more than 38,000 adults age 50 and older across 27 European countries. - The data came from the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe. - The study was published in Nutrients. - The work was led by Dr. Rizwan Qaisar, associate professor of muscle cell physiology at the University of Sharjah. - The research team included scientists from the University of Sharjah, Roskilde University, the University of Helsinki, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, and the Medical University of Vienna.

The details: - Participants were followed over several years, allowing researchers to compare eating habits with later changes in strength and daily functioning. - Lower intake of protein-rich foods such as eggs, legumes, fish and chicken was linked to greater odds of reduced muscle strength and more difficulty with everyday activities. - People with consistently low protein intake were more likely to report trouble walking short distances, climbing stairs, reaching overhead and shopping. - The analysis found an association between habitual protein intake and short-term changes in physical function. - The study also linked lower habitual protein intake with higher odds of low handgrip strength. - Functional limitations studied included walking 100 meters, stooping, kneeling, extending the arm above the shoulders and grocery shopping. - Common food sources highlighted in the study included milk, yogurt, eggs, legumes, fish and poultry.

Between the lines: - The study examined real-world eating patterns, not supplements or restrictive diets. - The findings suggest protein matters for more than athletic performance and may help preserve routine functioning in older age. - The protein-strength link was stronger in men, while women more often reported functional limitations in mobility-related tasks. - The authors said functional decline is multifactorial and involves musculoskeletal deterioration, neurological changes and nutritional deficiencies. - The results support the idea that simple dietary habits may help slow age-related physical decline.

What’s next: - The authors say identifying older adults with low protein intake could open the door to early, low-cost interventions. - Future efforts may focus on preserving mobility, independence and quality of life through routine dietary changes. - The study adds to ongoing research on sarcopenia and aging-related loss of function.

The bottom line: - Regular protein intake from everyday foods was associated with better physical function in older adults, while low intake tracked with a higher risk of weakness and daily activity limits.

Original study