They add protein powder to coffee and drink it! It spread like a jet: 'It gives the first signal in the kidneys and heart'
Betül Yasemin Keskin / Milliyet.com.tr - Social media is the scene of a new crazy trend every day. Moreover, these trends are so effective that they completely shape our daily lives from health to clothing, from shopping to eating habits. Although conscious users weigh what is good for them and what is not, not everyone is so lucky in this regard. Now, a new one has been added to these social media crazes that have taken the world by storm: 'Proffee' .
This trend, which takes its name from the combination of the words protein and coffee , suggests that adding protein powder to plain coffee and consuming it provides a formula that is both healthy and satiating. However, is this mixture really as innocent as it seems? We asked an expert about this popular drink, which has been debated for months.
THEY ALSO ADD SWEETENER TO IT
Proffee , one of the most striking trends of the recent period, is shared with different recipes by each user on social media. Those who consume Proffee argue that this mixture supports muscle building and, combined with the antioxidant effect of coffee, provides energy and accelerates metabolism. This drink, whose main ingredients are black coffee and protein powder, has become popular especially for those who cannot meet their daily protein needs with food . This trend, which emerged on TikTok , initially emerged with the aim of increasing protein intake and turning coffee into a more balanced drink. However, over time, the complexion of the situation has changed.
Today, visuals have taken precedence over content in recipes shared on social media. Users have started adding not only protein powder but also various sweeteners and flavors to coffee. As such, this beverage , once marketed as healthy, has begun to turn into a sugar overload. This brings with it the following question: Is Proffee really healthy? While the use of protein powder is still a matter of debate, is it really right to mix it with coffee? We spoke to Nephrology Specialist Prof. Dr. Gökhan Temiz about all these questions.
IT MAY BE PLACING A LOAD ON THE KIDNEY
Prof. Dr. Temiz, who began his explanations by giving answers to unanswered questions about protein powder, said, " Since proteins are the building blocks of our body, their most well-known benefit is that they contribute to the increase and strengthening of muscle mass by triggering muscle protein synthesis. It reduces muscle pain especially after training and accelerates the recovery process. In addition, it can increase the feeling of satiety, especially in people on a diet, thanks to its satiating effect, and this can help reduce excessive carbohydrate consumption during weight loss or weight control processes. As a result of muscle gain, it can also positively affect bone health and reduce the possibility of muscle loss and fractures that may develop as a result in the elderly. However, on the other hand, it can negatively affect kidney health by increasing the workload of the kidney or by increasing stone formation, especially in patients with a predisposition."
Prof. Dr. Gökhan Temiz said, "The potential effects of combining protein powder and coffee on the kidneys can have both positive and negative aspects, depending on the amount of ingredients it contains and the person's current kidney health ." Prof. Dr. Temiz stated that Proffee is not expected to have a direct negative effect on the kidneys in the short term in healthy individuals, and said, " On the contrary, it can provide benefits in certain situations. For example, the protein in Proffee can help preserve muscle mass and repair after training. Adequate protein intake is very important for athletes during exercise periods, but in our age, the very fast pace of life can sometimes lead to dietary imbalances and inadequate or deficient nutrition ."
Emphasizing that adequate protein intake is important for general health, especially for athletes without kidney disease and even for elderly individuals, Prof. Dr. Temiz reminded that preserving muscle mass can reduce the risk of sarcopenia, which can be seen in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), but protein intake in those with chronic kidney disease should be managed carefully, especially in patients with a low kidney filtering rate called GFR, which is a protein leak.
'HIGH PROTEIN MAY PROGRESS CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE'
In addition, Prof. Dr. Temiz emphasized that the polyphenols and other bioactive components found in coffee can support general organ health, including the kidneys, to a certain extent by reducing cellular damage thanks to their antioxidant properties, and said, " However, in addition to all this, excessive and excessive protein intake can create an increased filtering load on the kidneys. While healthy kidneys can generally tolerate this increased load, long-term and excessively high protein intake can contribute to a progressive decline in kidney function, especially if there is underlying kidney damage. In individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD), high protein intake can accelerate the progression of the disease ." He emphasized the importance of the subject.
Prof. Dr. Temiz summarized the long-term damage that combining protein powder and coffee will cause to the body as follows: "Kidney problems may occur due to excessive protein intake, and cardiovascular problems such as hypertension and arrhythmia may be observed due to the stimulating effect of caffeine."
It is believed that a well-balanced glass of Proffee is a practical way to start the day strong, especially for those who do not have time for breakfast or prefer to exercise in the morning, in terms of both mental clarity and physical endurance. Prof. Dr. Temiz commented on this situation by saying, "I think the main problem today is that something that is trendy is consumed in an exaggerated way. As I mentioned above, Proffee can be enjoyable if consumed in certain amounts and by people whose health is suitable for it, but it should not be forgotten that even too much water is harmful to our body ."
SOME PEOPLE ADD LEMON TO COFFEE AND SOME PEOPLE ADD COCONUT TO COFFEE
Moreover, it is not just protein powder that is added to coffee. There are also recipes on social media where foods such as lemon and coconut are added to coffee. So is it right to consume these mixtures, which are thought to be more effective especially when consumed on an empty stomach? Prof. Dr. Temiz concluded his words by saying, " Adding foods such as lemon and coconut to coffee can never replace a healthy meal. Consuming coffee on an empty stomach, especially right after waking up in the morning, can lead to fluctuations in blood sugar, increased cortisol levels, increased stomach acidity and conditions such as insulin resistance. Since coffee itself contains oxalate, it can facilitate the development of kidney stones if consumed excessively or in individuals who are prone to it."
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