Protein is a combination of amino acids that aid in the structure, function, and regulation of tissues, cells, and organs. They play a lot of different roles in the body, mainly supporting muscle growth and recovery, working to repair damaged tissue, forming antibodies for your immune system, and making enzymes to help drive reactions in your body.
Higher protein intake is critical for exercisers and dieters to help build, repair, and preserve muscle, especially when trying to lose weight.
For someone trying to lean down, protein can be very beneficial for a few reasons. First, as mentioned, protein helps spare muscle mass. It’s also very thermogenic, meaning your body burns extra calories to process and digest it.
In addition, protein may help keep you full, inhibiting hunger better than the other macros.