Out of all types of protein powder, whey protein is considered to be the best to build muscle mass, since it contains all of the nine essential amino acids needed for the optimal health of your body. Specifically, leucine is involved in stimulating the growth of muscle cells.
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Why is whey protein better than other protein sources?
Whey protein is milk-based and is the quickest to digest in your body. Moreover, it is easy to absorb, as well. Many studies conclude that whey protein powders are significantly better than other sources, such as soy, beef, casein or bean protein.
The main reason for that is that some of the other protein sources have lower levels of the essential amino acids, especially leucine, which promotes protein synthesis in your muscles and is considered one of the most important amino acids that take part in muscle growth and recovery.
Whey protein also promotes a feeling of fullness in your body and lowers your appetite levels, which can be of great help when you’re trying to cut down on your daily dose of calories.
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What other protein sources are there?
Casein protein is much slower to digest and is a better choice when consumed before bedtime because it keeps your body fueled throughout the night. Whereas whey protein is better consumed before or after a workout, or between meals. If you are on a fasting diet, or simply like to consume protein between meals, casein is a great choice.
A whey-casein blend exists, which is a solid combination of fast and slow-digesting proteins. That is a combination of good anabolic (thanks to the Whey protein) and catabolic (Casein) effects. That makes the blend great both for post-workout consumption, as well as good to drink before bed to prevent catabolic state.
There are some other alternatives to whey and casein protein powders, such as egg, pea or hemp protein. They are, however, proven to be less efficient in terms of amino acid content and absorption rate. Egg protein is only second to whey protein in terms of being the highest in leucine, which plays the largest role in muscle growth.
FAQs about consuming protein
Is it better to consume protein through protein shakes or food?
Protein powder is merely a supplement product and is meant to be used as an addition to a healthy diet. Always try to consume the larger portion of your protein through food.
Drinking a protein shake after an intense workout is a great way to fuel your muscles right away, as it is uncomfortable to carry around eggs or meat. Protein powder can also be a great addition when you are close to achieving your daily goal but still need a little surge.
Is protein powder damaging our kidneys?
For healthy people, there is no scientific evidence that moderate use of protein powder could damage the kidneys. On the other hand, if you have an existing kidney issue, you should check in with a licensed medical practitioner and consult with them whether it is a good idea to add protein powder to your diet.
What protein powder can you add to eggs?
If you want to further increase the protein content of your scrambled eggs, you can consider adding half a scoop of collagen protein powder or unflavored whey to your meal. Those two types would most likely not even change the taste of your dish, but almost double the protein at the same time.
User comment about muscles and protein
How Protein Builds Muscle
Protein builds muscle. It is important to know that we can not build lean muscles if we do not have enough protein in our diet. There are so many studies that have been done that show us how important protein is to your body. Protein is the building block for the muscles.
We need protein in order to make sure that our body has the proper amount of energy to perform the way that we need it to, whether it’s to grow and repair our muscles, or to fuel our body for intense workouts.
Protein for when you’re working out
Protein also helps keep your blood sugar level stable. If you are working out and you’re doing it regularly, you are putting a lot of stress on your body, especially when you are working out hard and you are not eating correctly. If your body is stressed out, it can produce insulin which causes damage to your muscles. The last thing that you want is to have damaged muscles.
This can lead to a lot of different problems, including high blood pressure, obesity, fatigue and even more serious diseases such as cancer. That is why you need to eat plenty of protein to ensure that you are able to workout properly without having a lot of problems with your body and your health.
Protein gives you more energy
Protein also helps you to have energy throughout the day. When you are working out, your body is working overtime and it is always burning energy. You can help to prevent yourself from gaining weight by eating lots of protein.
If you do not get enough energy throughout the day, you might want to take a supplement that will give you enough energy so that you can stay focused and active.
If you are an athlete, you might want to take a whey protein instead of the normal whey protein. They have the same properties of whey but have had a better taste and added some extra benefits for athletes as well.