What role does protein play in the body?

Protein is essential for building and repairing tissues throughout the body. This macronutrient is a fundamental component of muscles, skin, organs, and the immune system. When you consume proteins, your body breaks them down into amino acids, which are then used to create new proteins that are critical for growth, tissue maintenance, and repair. This role is particularly significant in processes such as muscle recovery after exercise, healing wounds, and maintaining overall structural integrity in cells and tissues.

The other options address functions that may involve proteins but do not highlight their primary and most critical role. Energy storage and hormone production involve a variety of other macronutrients and substances. While fat metabolism and digestion do involve proteins, they are not the primary functions of proteins themselves. Insulation is more closely associated with fats, which provide thermal insulation to the body and are not a direct function of protein. Thus, the role of protein in building and repairing tissues stands out as its most crucial contribution to bodily functions.