Effects of high protein diets on metabolic syndrome parameters

•High protein diets are commonly promoted to manage metabolic syndrome.•Results are complex with positive, detrimental and no effects being demonstrated.•The source of protein appears to play an important role in eliciting effects.

High protein diets are commonly promoted for the management of metabolic syndrome parameters. However, the current literature is complex with positive, detrimental and no effects being demonstrated. This conflicting evidence has prevented the development of concrete recommendations regarding the effectiveness and safety of high protein diets for managing metabolic syndrome. Furthermore, evidence that different dietary sources of protein have distinct metabolic effects has been obtained, but additional research is needed to extend and clarify the limited information currently available. In particular, future studies are required to determine whether specific protein sources can elicit effects at normal to moderately increased protein intake as a means of avoiding any potential risks associated with high protein diets.