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Overeating protein foods
Last reviewed: 08.07.2025

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Long-term and excessive consumption of any product is dangerous for the body. Recently, cases of protein intoxication have become more frequent, when improper nutrition with excess protein content leads to serious intoxication of the body.
The main reasons for overeating protein:
- Protein diets – this category includes the Dukan diet and the Kremlin diet. According to the diets, in the first few days it is necessary to eat only protein foods. Such a diet is dangerous for people with gastrointestinal diseases. Due to the unbalanced functioning of the digestive system, the process of digestion of food is slower and there is a risk of fermentation and putrefaction processes in the intestines, which lead to poisoning.
- Mushroom and seafood poisoning – when eating seafood, you need to be especially careful, as even a small portion can cause an allergic reaction. As for mushrooms, the environmental situation in the world turns wild mushrooms into dangerous products for consumption, the abuse of which causes serious consequences for the body.
- Protein – this food supplement is most often used by athletes for active muscle growth. Failure to follow the instructions of the drug and increased doses cause serious protein intoxication.
For other signs of overeating, read this article.
Overeating expired or improperly prepared protein products is dangerous for the body. Symptoms of protein intoxication:
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Diarrhea and flatulence.
- Urine is dark in color.
- Dizziness.
- Sharp pain in the intestinal area.
- Elevated body temperature.
To eliminate the painful condition, you need to take a laxative or induce vomiting. If your health does not improve, you should seek medical help to wash your stomach.
Overeating meat
An iron-rich product of animal origin is meat. It contains amino acids and proteins that the body needs for its normal functioning. The product reduces the effect of the hormone leptin, which affects metabolic processes. This is why overeating meat occurs.
Side effects of meat abuse:
- Unlike fats and carbohydrates, animal protein takes a long time to process, which causes an energy surplus, the appearance of fat deposits and weight gain.
- Apart from iron and amino acids, meat does not contain anything else, so if the diet consists only of meat dishes, it can lead to problems with the gastrointestinal tract.
- The lack of fiber leads to a long digestion of meat. Because of this, putrefactive processes begin in the intestines, which are accompanied by increased gas formation, abdominal pain, and belching.
- The protein that is part of meat is foreign to the human body, it suppresses healthy microflora. Because of this, dysbacteriosis develops, and in especially severe cases - oncological diseases.
- Meat acidifies the body, suppressing nitrogen-fixing bacteria and increasing the need for food. The product promotes the formation of uric acid, which can cause poisoning.
In addition to the above-mentioned "features" of excessive meat consumption, it should be taken into account that meat food causes heaviness in the stomach. Because of this, increased fatigue appears after eating and sleepiness begins. Regular gluttony of meat leads to the development of gout (salt deposits in the legs), atherosclerosis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis, multiple sclerosis. Meat eaters are also characterized by irascibility, irritability and an increased risk of colon cancer, mammary glands, and blood cancer.
Overeating raw eggs
Eggs are a product of animal origin with beneficial properties for the body. They contain many vitamins: group B, A, E, K, H, PP, D, as well as beta-carotene, choline and mineral elements. Chicken egg white contains all known amino acids, so it is easily digestible and nutritious. Eggs are fried, boiled, added to various dishes and even eaten raw.
Overeating raw eggs is especially dangerous to health. Eating disorders can lead to the following problems:
- The raw product is dangerous due to salmonellosis. To reduce the risk of this complication, eggs should be washed well and disinfected in a special solution. It is also better to eat them after preliminary heat treatment, that is, boiled or fried.
- Egg yolk contains high levels of cholesterol, which increases "bad" cholesterol in the blood. The safe maximum is 1 egg per day.
- When keeping chickens, many farmers support them with antibiotics to reduce the risk of developing various infections. Antibiotics pass from the bird into eggs and the human body. Abuse of the product suppresses healthy microflora and promotes the development of fungal diseases. There is also a decrease in the body's susceptibility to antibacterial drugs, which in case of illness forces the use of stronger medications.
- Another danger of raw eggs is the high concentration of nitrates, herbicides, heavy metals and other harmful substances. Toxins accumulate in the bodies of animals and are contained in eggs. Based on this, uncontrolled eating of eggs is a risk of intoxication.
To reduce the risk of developing the above complications, it is better to consume eggs after preliminary heat treatment and no more than 1-2 pieces per day.
Overeating cottage cheese
Cottage cheese is a fermented milk product that is loved by both adults and children. It contains proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, amino acids and minerals. The product is made from natural milk by fermenting it. Depending on the fat content of the milk and the production method, there are several types of cottage cheese: fatty, low-fat, classic and fat-free. The product is used in many diets, it is approved for use in recovery from severe gastrointestinal diseases.
The daily norm of cottage cheese should not exceed 150-200 g. Eating more may lead to overeating, which negatively affects your well-being.
- Fatty cottage cheese increases cholesterol levels and can cause atherosclerosis and obesity.
- Due to the high protein content, fermented milk products can harm the kidneys.
- Cottage cheese can cause allergic reactions.
- Overeating low-fat products causes an exacerbation of gastrointestinal diseases.
- Eating stale cottage cheese is dangerous because it can cause poisoning, as E. coli bacteria develop very quickly in it.
In order for the consumption of cottage cheese to be only beneficial, you should adhere to the daily norm. The product can be combined with various fruits and berries, which significantly increases its usefulness for the body.
Overeating Oysters
Seafood is a source of protein, calcium, polyunsaturated acids, phosphatides and other elements necessary for the normal functioning of the body. Oysters are especially popular, the meat of the mollusks is easily digestible and has an unusual taste.
Excessive consumption of oysters is dangerous due to intoxication of the body. The disease develops when using unprocessed or stale product. As a rule, poisoning due to overeating is associated with the following factors:
- The product was improperly stored in a warehouse or store, the packaging was damaged, or the oysters' expiration date had expired.
- Salmonella contamination. The bacteria can live in any seafood, so when choosing shellfish, you should give preference to a trusted seller and a product in sealed packaging.
- Oysters are a source of protein, the abuse of which is dangerous due to protein overdose. Protein slows down the digestion process, triggering putrefaction and fermentation in the intestines.
At the same time, mollusks are a real sea filter, as they pass through themselves large volumes of sea water and living microorganisms. It is this type of nutrition that leads to the fact that oysters can contain phytotoxins, poisoning with which is dangerous for the body.
- PSP is a paralytic toxin that causes moderate intoxication. Painful symptoms develop 5-10 minutes after consuming the poisoned product. There is a burning sensation of the tongue, lips and gums, nausea and vomiting are possible. PSP causes muscle spasms, tachycardia, respiratory failure, paralysis. Without timely treatment, death may occur in 3-12 hours.
- ASP – domoic acid, is a component of diatomaceous algae. If this substance is contained in oysters, then after 2 days acute attacks of vomiting and diarrhea, abdominal pain appear. The painful condition rapidly increases, causing coordination disorders, convulsions, memory loss. A fatal outcome is also possible.
- DSP is okadaic acid, regular overeating of shellfish with this substance leads to cancer. Signs of poisoning appear a couple of hours after the attack of gluttony. There are abdominal pains, vomiting and diarrhea, sharp jumps in blood pressure, pain in the heart and the right hypochondrium.
But most often people experience the following symptoms of oyster poisoning:
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Headaches and dizziness.
- Increased weakness.
- Intestinal spasms, gas formation.
- Painful sensations in the stomach.
- Diarrhea.
- Dark urine.
Elevated body temperature. - Cramps.
- Allergic reactions of varying severity.
Another danger that comes with excessive love for oysters is halophilesis. This food infection occurs due to halophilic microorganisms that can reproduce in a salt environment. Mollusks act as carriers of these bacteria. In case of infection, nausea and intense headache, abdominal discomfort and acute diarrhea appear. If the infection is mild, recovery occurs within a few days. In severe cases, signs of intoxication can persist for more than two weeks.
At the first signs of overeating oysters, it is necessary to induce vomiting to cleanse the intestines of excess products. To do this, you can drink a large amount of water or press two fingers on the root of the tongue. If the condition does not improve after vomiting, then you should take adsorbents and seek medical help.