Arnold Schwarzenegger always has a joke up his sleeve. Even while competing on stage, Arnie had time to make his fellow competitors laugh. The fitness icon once made an infamous joke about having schnapps with protein shakes to increase their effectiveness. However, now the 76-year-old highlighted a scientific study that actually increased protein synthesis in the body.

The former Mr. Universe explained that a long-standing claim says, “Your body can only digest 20 grams of protein.” However, Arnold Schwarzenegger explained that his view has been challenged over the years and is becoming increasingly difficult to defend. The former bodybuilding champion highlighted a study that provided the strongest challenge to the claim.

The more the merrier

Arnold Schwarzenegger wrote that the scientific study concluded that “your muscles can use a seemingly ‘limitless’ amount of protein after a workout.” The researchers made people consume “no protein, 25 grams of protein, or 100 grams of protein,” post-workout. Contrary to the 20-gram protein claim, scientists found that participants had no issues digesting 25 or 100 gm of protein.

In fact, eating 100 gm increased “protein synthesis (the ability to use protein) more than eating 25 grams,” Arnie wrote in his newsletter. Besides post-workout protein synthesis, the phenomenon remained elevated over 12 hours for those who consumed 100 gm of protein. Arnold Schwarzenegger explained that the study hints that how many meals a person eats matters less.

“Instead, eating enough protein matters most for achieving your goals,” wrote the 76-year-old fitness icon. The former President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition Chairman explained that a person can choose to have bigger or smaller meals and divide their protein intake accordingly. While the study focused on higher protein intake, Arnold Schwarzenegger had discussed minimum protein intake in the past.

Watch this story | From Ronnie Coleman to Arnold Schwarzenegger – Here Are Some the Famous Protein Shake Recipes

Arnold Schwarzenegger revealed the minimum requirement

While multiple studies have found that higher protein intake might not be an issue, everyone requires a minimum amount of the essential ingredient. Arnold Schwarzenegger wrote that research suggests that everyone needs a minimum of 1/2 gram of protein per pound of their goal body weight. Protein is the building block of muscle, and a deficiency would impact health.

Besides talking about the minimum required amount, Arnie also discussed protein quality. While many people talk about getting enough protein, they often do not mention the necessity of diverse sources. The 76-year-old recommended various animal sources like eggs, turkey, chicken, and more.

As research on protein continues to increase, more information about how the human body utilizes them is also being revealed. Meanwhile, people like Arnold Schwarzenegger are keeping people informed.

Read More | From Ronnie Coleman to Arnold Schwarzenegger – Here Are Some the Famous Protein Shake Recipes