Health Benefits of Whey Protein Powder – Protein Shakes for Athletes

Reviewed by: | Author: Manoja Kalakanti

Gym and kitchen are the right choices if you want to create the better version of yourself. Even if everything is going right, sometimes you may not achieve the desired result. To see any real benefit a pre-workout shake around half an hour before you start the workout session would be very effective. A simple addition of whey protein is possibly enough to improve the quality of your life. We all know that protein is considered as one of the body’s main building blocks of nutrients that is essential for muscle, bone, skin and other tissues. Drinking this right shake is just the potential way of consuming health benefits.

benefits of whey protien

Content Index

Why Protein Shakes?

So what makes most of the body builders to take a protein shake? They help in maximizing the body muscles, in the production of hormones, nucleic acids, enzymes, and other immune system components. Choose a protein shake that is not completely protein based. A shake with high protein and low carbs is not ideal as it leaves you more at risk of muscle damage. Adequate amount of protein is required to generate biochemical substances like cardiovascular function, muscle contraction, growth and healing.

whey protein
Image: optimumnutrition.com

Without enough protein, body cannot make up every cell, tissue and organ that structures the body. Drink the right shake to get pumped, primed and push yourself little harder. At the same time don’t expect your shake to do all work either. Your progress is driven entirely by your work out.

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Types of Proteins Present in Protein Shakes

There are different types of protein shakes that contain different types of protein in varying amounts. They are as follows:

Whey: Whey protein is considered as the best choice and is a good dietary supplement for milk. It is quickly absorbed by your body and is said to be effective when taken pre-workout/ post workout.

Types of Protein shakes in market
Image: fahadmaniar.com

Casein: Casein is the main protein found in milk. It is a slow absorbing protein and is stored in body for longer time. This works out well and is a good supplement for meal replacements or can be taken before going to bed.

Soy: Soy protein is mostly recommended for women and is a good plant- based source of protein. It is easily digestible like any other sources of protein and is better known for its antioxidant capabilities. It is a good supplement for meal replacements.

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Benefits of Whey Protein Powder

Of all different types of protein shakes, whey protein has become a favorite supplement for those who are seeking a good physique by putting on some muscle. Before proceeding to the benefits of whey protein, let us know what whey protein is. Whey protein is a liquid byproduct of cheese production that is sold as dietary supplements in protein powders and shakes. Whey protein contains all the essential amino acids and is the best alternative for those who are lactose intolerant. Besides just being an alternative to milk, whey protein has many therapeutic properties that could help treat and reduce the risk of many diseases.

benefits of whey protein
Image: wheyisolate.co.uk

Whey protein has anti- inflammatory and anti cancer properties which serve as an effective supplementary treatment for diabetes and heart risks. It can be considered as a weight loss regime among people suffering from HIV (AIDS).

Types of Whey Protein:

Whey protein primarily comes in 3 types. They are as follows:

  • Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC): WPC contains high levels of bioactive compounds, carbohydrates that contain lactose and low levels of fat content. The percentage of whey protein in WPC depends on how concentrated it is.
  • Whey Protein Isolate (WPI): WPI has a higher percentage of protein by weight over 90 percent as they are further processed to remove entire fat and lactose content present in it.
  • Whey Protein Hydrosylate (WPH): WPH is considered as a predigested form of whey protein as it has already undergone partial hydrolysis. A process necessary to absorb body protein is termed as partial hydrolysis. WPH does not require as much digestion as required by the other two types of protein. It improves body’s insulin providing substantial muscle power.

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Health Benefits of Whey Protein Powder

There are several benefits associated with the whey protein consumption and is the best way to ensure enough protein, when used as a part of balanced and nutrient rich diet. Here are some of the possible health benefits of whey protein shake:

benefits of whey protein powder
Image: bestproteinpowdersreview.com

Lowers Blood Pressure and Reduces Risk of Cardiovascular Disease:

Researchers through experiments found that beverages that were supplemented with whey protein reduced the risk of elevated blood pressure and also certain heart diseases and strokes.

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Strengthen Up Mass and Muscle:

Always gym alone does not play a role in strengthening your muscle gain. Men who consume whey have greater chances of increase in the fat free mass and muscle strength. This is achieved more if you consume whey before one hour before or after the workout.

Anti- Cancer Properties:

Whey protein resulted promising benefits in the treatment of cancer with the use of whey protein concentrate and glutathione modulation.

Lose Fat and Build Muscle:

We might have reduced calorie intake with a hope to shed some fat out of the body. If you are consuming whey shedding fat should not be a herculean task.

Lose Fat and Build Muscle Whey
Image: eliteimpactlabs.com

Consuming whey help you in losing a significant amount of body fat i.e., 6.1 percent in total and better preserved their muscles. Opt for whey protein bar if you have an urge to snack on a whey protein.

Reduces the Risk of Asthma:

It has a good impact of health benefits not only in adults but also in children. Whey protein could improve immune response in children with Asthma. Researchers proved that children suffering from asthma when supplemented with whey protein for about one month showed improvised cytokine response.

Suppress Your Appetite:

Whey protein could help you in reducing your hunger and thus prevent you from a developing a Duog Heffernan like physique. Eating whey reduces the amount of production of ghrelin, a hormone that invokes your brain saying that you are hungry. So drinking whey protein makes you lucky enough to find a slimmer waistline soon.

Cut Down Your Cholesterol Levels:

There was an enormous decrease in the levels of cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. Taking a specialized whey fraction that includes prolibra, bioactive peptides, and leucin significantly reduced bad fat and in the significant weight loss. It helped in the greater preservation of lean muscles which is not that well preserved when opted for other protein beverages.

Whey Fights Cancer
Image: mensfitness.com

Fight Cancer:

Cancer is the disease that touched almost roots of all the families. One way to reduce the risk of cancer is to undergo regular screenings if your family runs a specific type of cancer. The other alternative is that whey protein may be used to help in fight against some of the cancers including colon and prostate cancers.

Cope With Your Stress:

Experts found that those who consumed whey protein are out of depression and mental stress and seemed to be in a better mood than those who did not. This is because experiencing likely changes in the brain serotonin after having a whey protein shake.

Improved Immune System:

Those men who involved in strenuous aerobic activity affected their nervous, gastrointestinal and nervous systems. This impact has been created due to the greater reduction in the levels of glutathione. Supplementing with whey protein there could be lesser chances of reduction in the glutathione.

Time to say goodbye to other common cold beverages and opt for a better whey protein shake that offer a number of other positive health benefits too. Beast motivation is always the best motivation!

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