Whey protein powder is one of the most famous dietary supplements that bodybuilders healthy eaters and exercise aficionados use.
So what has made this product very famous and how can you find the best whey protein product that would match your needs there are quite a number of factors that can help to guide you in your search.
Health benefits
Protein supplements are widely used by individuals who are trying to up their protein intake to build muscles improving their body composition maintaining muscles and also losing weight.
While there are several types of protein powder supplements such as pea protein and soy protein, the most favoured of all is whey protein, and there are reasons for this.
There is a couple of research that supports the use of whey protein in weight loss diet or in eating program specially designed for muscle builders.
For example, a specific study that compared soy protein supplements to whey protein supplements discovered when consumed 30 minutes before mealtime whey protein had a greater impact on appetite and calorie intake than its soy counterpart.
This discovery leads to improvements in the body composition and body weight of overweight and obese people.
In a second study, authors discovered that even though there is no significant evidence to support one source of protein over another source when it comes to weight loss programs, proteins derived from animals especially those from dairy product support better muscle sentences than those gotten from plant based product.
Finally, another research review that was published in nutrition and metabolism proved that most but not all the studies that have been carried out confirmed the obvious benefits of whey protein supplements immediately after and sometimes before or during resistance exercise to help with the enhancement of muscle growth as a response to resistance training in adults that are healthy.
Nevertheless, not all studies are in support of whey protein supplements. For instance, one study on healthy menopausal women discovers that the supplements had no role to play in the improvement of muscle mass or even physical function.
If we must make sense of the conflicting studies, it is vital to keep the limitations and scope of the research in mind.
Many of the studies carried out to evaluate whey protein supplementation are usually small, and most of the studies also investigate the benefits of this protein supplements on specific populations like senior men.
A couple of other studies are funded by the supplement of food companies, and some of the research is conducted on rodents.
The result of all of this is that you may begin to see that the benefits of whey protein powder are overstated in adverts for supplements or products found in stores.
Per a position statement which was published by the academy of nutrition and dietetics, american college of sports medicine, and dietitians of canada, ” when whole food protein sources are not convenient or available, then portable, third-party tested dietary supplements with high quality ingredients may serve as a practical alternative to help athletes meet their needs for protein.”
Are there any possible side effects?
Majority of people are not likely to suffer any serious side effects when they consume whey protein supplements. however whey protein supplement is derived from dairy and for this reason you may suffer some symptoms of lactose intolerance.
According to the american academy of allergy asthma and immunology, (though it is unlikely) it is quite possible to have a reaction to whey protein powder even if you haven’t had a reaction to milk in the past.
The side effect that people might most likely experience if they use whey supplement is the displacement of their normal healthy or unhealthy foods.
The meaning of this is that once you begin to consume protein in the form of supplements, it is less likely that you benefit from the micronutrients and nutrients that are contained in whole food sources of protein, such as the fibre in legumes and the vitamin d in milk.
You may also discover that an increase in your overall protein consumption may lead to a decrease in your micronutrients consumption – fat and carbohydrates.
While this may be of great benefit to your diet, it can also have an impact on it in less healthy ways. as a matter of fact one study revealed that whey protein supplements decreases the consumption of fruits in older adults.
Preparation and dosage
Getting the correct amount of protein in your diet is vital for your overall health. There are a variety of methods to determine your need for protein.
The guidelines for nutrition suggests that a healthy adult must consume between 10% to 35% of their daily calories from protein. That, of course, is a wide range. It may be helpful if you personalise your intake of protein based on your activity level and your weight.
A majority of us need about 0.4 to 0.5 grams of protein per pound of body weight every day. But if you engage in heavy exercise or your athletic, you may require more.
In fact, athletes require some way from 1.2 to 1.7 grams of protein per pound of their body weight every day. Generally, endurance athletes like cyclist and runners have no needs for protein compared to strength trained athletes like bodybuilders.
What you should look out for when purchasing your protein powder?
When you are shopping for the best whey protein product available there is a high chance that you will see different terms on the packages.
It is best that you know what each of these different terms mean if you must make smart and informed decisions about what protein supplements to purchase.
Whey protein powder should contain 11% of 15% protein. this kind of protein can be added during the manufacturing of some protein foods like protein bars and yoghurt.
Whey concentrate is usually 25% to 89% protein. whey isolate on the other hand is at least 90% protein and is mostly lactose free.
If you’re purchasing protein supplements to add to smoothies or to include in any home recipe, ensure to check the ingredient list written on the package to discover what kind of whey protein is in the product that you have purchased
Do not forget that taking a protein supplement alone is not enough to help you build muscles; you must engage in strength training exercises like weight lifting or squats.
If you find this helpful or you would like to add your opinions or suggestions, please do not hesitate to use the comment section below. We look forward, to interacting with you.
