What effect does dietary protein have on the body?

• A. Increases insulin
• B. Decreases insulin
• C. No effect on insulin
• D. Increases glucagon

Answer: (A)

When you eat dietary protein, amino acids signal the pancreas to release insulin. This insulin rise helps drive amino acids into tissues like muscle and promotes new protein synthesis, supporting the anabolic processes after a protein-containing meal. The increase is smaller than what you see with carbohydrates, but it’s enough to have a meaningful effect on protein building. Glucagon can also rise with protein to help maintain blood glucose, so both hormones may go up, but the primary effect tied to protein intake is an increase in insulin.