Amount of Huel required for weight gain seems to involve excessive protein

[triquetra011]

@Sputnik

On carcinogenicity: this study is one that Wikipedia links to. It posits that there is a link between protein intake, or muscle mass, and mortality and long life. The mechanism of that link appears to be IGF-1. This emerging research is what Tim Ferriss has called the ‘Faustian bargain’: either you can be physically fit, toned, and have healthy muscle mass; or you can fast, eat less protein (and less of everything else) reduce your IGF-1 and live a longer life.

This is newish research, but even if it’s true, the increased carcinogenicity is mild compared to other causes. You are probably more likely to get cancer from standing too close to your microwave. Everything in life has its risks: the feeling of physical fitness, the endorphins, the increased muscle mass, increased strength, increased sense of well-being, all outweighs whatever small risks they might entail, for me at least.

I remember this study, thumbs up for linking to it. If I recall correctly, the correlation between the negative effects and protein intake was greatly reduced or eliminated in case of non-animal protein. One of the reasons why I am happy that Huel is vegan. Tim Ferriss seems to be overly pessimistic - we can have our cake and eat it… unless, as Tim, you are a carnist ;).

It is also worth noting that diet high in carbohydrates seems to come with its own set of problems (e.g. please see this thread). I would be interested to see if some of the carbohydrates in Huel could be safely replaced with more protein and fats.