What is the effect of energy expenditure when consuming protein compared to carbohydrates and fat?

When the body consumes protein, the energy expenditure is indeed higher compared to carbohydrates and fat. This phenomenon is known as the thermic effect of food (TEF), which refers to the energy required for digestion, absorption, and metabolism of nutrients.

Protein has a higher TEF than carbohydrates and fat, meaning that the body uses more energy to process protein than it does for the other macronutrients. Specifically, the thermic effect of protein can account for approximately 20-30% of the calories consumed from protein, compared to about 5-10% for carbohydrates and around 0-3% for fats. This increased energy expenditure is due to the complex structure of proteins, which necessitates more steps for digestion and metabolism, including breaking down amino acids and synthesizing new proteins.

Understanding the different thermic effects of these macronutrients is important for dietary planning, especially for those looking to manage weight or enhance body composition. Thus, the assertion that energy expenditure is higher for protein compared to carbohydrates and fat accurately reflects the body’s metabolic demands regarding these macronutrients.