Nutrition
C · Interpret with cautionNew this roundIs more protein associated with stronger grip after menopause?
Original title: Higher protein intake and handgrip strength in postmenopausal women
What this means
Yes, but the association is small: women with a higher protein intake had slightly higher handgrip strength on average (SMD 0.15, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.20).
Pérez-López FR, Fernández-Alonso AM, Losa-Puig H, García-Alfaro P · 2026 · Menopause (vooruitpublicatie)
What does this rating mean?
Limited, mixed or hard-to-translate evidence. Useful as direction, not as a rule.
Findings
Seven studies totalling 8,922 postmenopausal women showed that higher protein intake is associated with higher handgrip strength (SMD 0.15, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.20, I² = 6%) compared with lower protein intake. The same group also showed a lower body mass index (SMD −0.43, 95% CI −0.68 to −0.18), although heterogeneity there was high (I² = 90%). No significant difference was found for age.
Who this applies to
Postmenopausal women.
Size of the research
Seven studies totalling 8,922 women.
What to keep in mind
This is an association, not proof of cause and effect: the underlying research is observational.
Practical conclusion for REZA
Handgrip strength is often used as a simple proxy for overall muscle strength. This research changes none of the existing agreements about protein intake, but it does support them in a group the library had little on.
View method and source
Methodology
Systematic review with meta-analysis of observational research
Limitations
This is observational research, appraised with the Newcastle-Ottawa scale: an association was found, not a causal relationship. The association is also small, and heterogeneity between studies was high for body mass index.
Original source
DOI: 10.1097/GME.0000000000002870 · PMID: 42709647
View on PubMed →