“When protein consumption outpaces physiologic protein demands, excess amino acids are degraded in the human body and nitrogen is excreted and released to the environment, mainly in the form of urea,” researchers at the University of California, Davis explained.

Elevated nitrogen levels in water can lead to eutrophication, or excessive nutrient richness, which contributes to high plant life growth and decreased animal life, due to a lack of oxygen. Excess nitrogen can also contribute to toxic algal blooms and have negative effects on drinking water supplies.