Protein powder has exploded in popularity in recent years, with advantages such as muscle building, fat reduction, and hunger management falling clearly under protein’s wide list of health benefits.
Bodybuilders and athletes appear to drink them down like water, so you might be thinking if you should include one in your workout regimen as well. However, it is not as simple as picking up the very first protein powder you see in the supplementary rack. Protein powders aren’t all the same, from whey to hemp, protein isolates to protein concentrates.
If you want to gain muscle, improve post-workout recovery, or reduce body fat, here’s your entire beginner’s guide to protein shakes – what substances to look for, what all the lingo means, and whether they’re truly required or not!
What Is Protein Powder VS Protein Shakes?
Usually, protein powders are basically powdered and condensed versions of the protein. They can be created from either plants or animals sources, and their contents and value vary greatly. Protein shakes are often mixed with milk or water to create a thick, velvety, milkshake-like smoothie.
Most people employ protein shakes for speed and convenience. Making a protein drink is a simple and effective method to increase your daily protein intake without spending additional time cooking over the stove.
What does Protein Powder Scoop Means?
First and foremost, let’s go through the fundamentals. Protein, along with fat and carbs, is one of three important macronutrients that your body needs to ‘do its job.’
Protein may be found in your skin, nails, hair, muscles, bones, and nearly every other tissue in your body. It is an essential nutrient that is crucial for the formation and repair of tissues, cells, and organs. It also transports vitamins, minerals, and oxygen throughout your body, delivering them to cells and tissues that require them.
Simply said, this is critical information. Whether you go to the gym or not, you must get enough of it to appear and function at your best.
Which Types of Protein Powder Is Best?
So you’ve considered grabbing a protein powder, but a simple stroll down the supplement store has you feeling like a lost dog. Isolate what, casein who… What exactly does ‘complete’ protein justify? Don’t panic, we’ve got you wrapped: here’s a short rundown of the popular types of protein powder:
Complete Vs Incomplete
Protein is composed of 20 tiny molecules known as amino acids. All of these 20 amino acids are required by your body to successfully create proteins. Without them, your bones and tissues may begin to deteriorate.
Amino acids are classified as ‘essential’ or ‘nonessential. Histidine, methionine, leucine, phenylalanine, isoleucine, threonine, tryptophan, lysine, and valine are essential amino acids that your body cannot produce, and must thus be obtained from the diet. Because non-essential amino acids may be generated by your body, ingesting them through food isn’t as necessary.
Protein powders originating from animals are usually complete. Some standard vegan protein powders, such as pea & hemp, are deficient. Plant protein powders, on the other hand, typically contain a combination of two or more plant proteins in order to supply all of the required amino acids in a single powder.
For example, Purition dairy-free vegan offers a unique protein combination of European pea, sunflower, pumpkin, and hemp protein. This plant protein blend has all nine necessary amino acids in a single meal.
Protein Concentrates Vs Protein Isolates
Proteins are composed of concentrates or isolates during processing to boost their protein content:
- Protein concentrates are the purest and hence the most affordable kind of protein. They generally have a protein content ranging from 25% to 80% by weight.
- Protein isolates are further purified to reduce carbs and lipids while increasing protein concentration. They often have a protein content of 90% or more by weight. Protein isolates have minimal to no lactose due to the further filtration.
Plant Based Protein Vs Whey Protein Vs Casein Protein Powder
Protein can be extracted from either plants or animals sources, therefore there is a protein powder for almost everyone. The three types of protein powders that are commonly available are:
- Plant based proteins also known as vegan protein, such as soy, hemp, pea, rice, and pumpkin, are sourced straight from plants. Most specific plant proteins are insufficient on their own but can be mixed with additional plant proteins to form a full mixture. Plant based proteins are often more easily digestible than dairy protein products.
- Whey protein is a complete protein acquired from milk that is a leftover of the cheesemaking process. Whey is a fast-releasing protein, which means that it can be utilized by the muscles very immediately for repair and development.
- Casein protein powder is a complete protein generated from milk that is produced as a byproduct of the cheese-making process. However, because it takes longer to process and metabolize than whey, it is regarded as a slow-releasing protein.
How To Use Protein Powder For Muscles Gaining & Other Benefits?
Protein powders, in their most basic form, may be combined with milk or water to make a quick and easy protein smoothie with little prep work. You may also add extras such as ice, fruit, and vegetables for an extra vitamin boost.
However, one of the most advantageous aspects of investing in high-quality protein powder is the product’s sheer adaptability. Protein powders may also be mixed into smoothies, added to morning oats, integrated into nutritious cakes and bakes, combined into protein balls, or added to pancakes.
According to the British Nutrition Foundation, the Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI) for protein in the UK is 0.75g of protein per kg of body weight. This comes to about…
- 51kg/8 stone → 38g protein
- 57kg/9 stone → 43g protein
- 63.5kg/10 stone → 48g protein
- 70kg/11 stone → 53g protein
- 76kg/12 stone → 57g protein
- 82.5kg/13 stone → 62g protein
Note: Kindly take note that any advice or instructions provided here are not intended for qualified medical advice from a professional healthcare provider. We advise you to consult your certified specialist for a better recommendation.