Eating protein alone won’t necessarily build muscle. Protein is essential for muscle growth, but it needs to be combined with strength training and a healthy diet to really make a difference. Eating more protein can help you gain muscle mass, but it won’t do the job on its own. To build muscle, you need to create a calorie surplus and exercise regularly. Eating enough protein will help your body repair and build muscle after your workouts, but it’s not the only factor in muscle growth.