The Benefits Of Protein Shakes | More Than Just Muscle
If you’re getting into your fitness, or are looking to conveniently boost your protein intake, then you’ve probably heard about protein shakes.
If you’re looking for info that’s a bit more backed up than the “bro science” you get from your gym buddies, then you’ve come to the right place. Let’s find out more about the benefits of protein shakes.
What Are Protein Shakes?
Protein shakes are made from protein powder, which is a dry, powdered supplement that can be derived from both animal or plant-based protein sources. It can be flavoured or unflavoured, and is most often mixed with water, milk, or another liquid as part of a protein shake or smoothie.
Protein powder can also be used in a variety of other ways - like baking or mixing into oatmeal or cereal.
Protein shakes are a way to supplement, which means to add to, your daily dietary intake of protein.
What Are The Benefits Of Protein Shakes?
Our bodies need protein for many daily tasks — boosting our immune system, sending messages throughout the body, growth and repair of cells and tissues.
1. Protein shakes can aid muscle growth
The main benefit of protein shakes is the fuel they provide to help build up muscle tissue after weight training (anabolism).
Our muscles are slowly breaking down when we push them to the limit with exercise, and “feeding” them protein helps them to rebuild and become stronger.
2. Protein can help you to lose weight
The muscle-building power of protein powders can also help those who want to lose weight.
Additionally, protein slows down the digestive process, which gives you a feeling of being full longer after you eat. This can
3. Taking protein before bed can speed up recovery.
We all want to avoid those post-workout DOMS and ensuring you’re getting enough protein can help with that. Protein helps to rebuild muscle after a workout by muscle protein synthesis, so that they’re ready to take on your next workout, and having a hit of protein before bed can improve this.
4. Protein Shakes Can Boost Your Metabolism
Because using protein shakes gives your muscles the fuel they need to build and repair, your body will
5. Protein Shakes Can Preserve Muscle Mass
Just like protein helps rebuild and repair muscle after a workout, it can help prevent the muscle loss that comes with the aging process. Research shows that older adults who consistently use protein supplements can
6. Protein Shakes are Convenient
Rather than roasting a whole chicken, or soaking your lentils overnight, how about simply adding powder to water and shaking it up? It’s easy to use at home, at work, or on the go.
Protein powder is a pure source of protein that’s also
Types of protein
Whey
Whey is a protein source that comes from the liquid that is leftover when using cow’s milk to make cheese. It is dried and processed to the powdered supplement form.
Concentrate
Whey concentrate is the most common type of whey protein supplement. It has less protein per gram than the isolate or hydrolysed forms due to less processing.
However, this also makes it a lower price point and still contains between 30-90% protein. It can still contain some carbs in the form of lactose (milk sugar), which may be a concern for those with lactose intolerance.
Isolate
Whey isolate is the next level of processing that refines the protein powder further. It contains upwards of 90% protein, and very little carbs or fat.
Hydrolysed
Hydrolysed whey protein takes the longer chains of peptides (protein) and breaks them into small chains of amino acids; the goal is to make this type of protein be absorbed more quickly and easily.
The amino acids are still effective in muscle repair and growth but are often used to limit the potential for allergic reactions to milk (like in baby formulas).
Hydrolysed whey contains between more than 75% protein content with little protein and fat.
Protein Blends
Protein blends are exactly what’s said on the tin — a blend of different types of nutrients and protein. If you’re looking to get a little more than usual from your protein shake, then they’re often topped up with extra nutrients. Here’s some examples of ours to give you an idea.
Total Protein Blend
Consuming a blend of proteins offers you the best benefits of each while also providing varied amino acids to maximise muscle building. Total Protein Blend packs an impressive 24g of protein per serving.
THE Whey
THE Whey+
THE Whey+ is the superman of protein powders. Not only is it packed with the benefits of whey protein, but it also contains ingredients that can improve muscle building and recovery through a phased release approach.
Weight Gainers
Vegan Protein
Myprotein’s
It can be difficult to find all of the essential amino acids in plant-based proteins, but this blend contains them all in a 22g protein serving.
For anyone who wants to avoid animal-based proteins, the Vegan Blend can boost your protein intake and help you feel confident that you’re fuelling your body properly.
You can also get vegan protein powders made from soy or pea protein — there's more choice than you think so that you can find the right one for you.
Casein
Casein is another protein powder made from milk proteins, but it’
While it seems obvious that you want quickly digesting protein after your workout, casein is a great option for later in the day — like before bed — when you want to fuel your muscles to repair and rebuild overnight.
Adding casein as part of your protein shake regimen can change the game, since our muscles take up to 24 hours to absorb protein after a workout.
Collagen
Collagen is one of the most abundant proteins in our body and makes up a good portion of our connective tissues (muscle, cartilage) as well as our hair, skin, and nails. Collagen in supplements is usually sourced from chicken or beef.
Myprotein’s
Take Home Message
While there are many types of protein powders on the market targeting different goals, the benefits of using protein shakes can be useful for anyone. Whether you choose any of the types of whey protein, casein, vegan sourced, or collagen, your
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Claire is a Registered Dietitian through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and a board-certified Health and Wellness Coach through the International Consortium for Health and Wellness Coaching. She has a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master’s degree in Clinical Dietetics and Nutrition from the University of Pittsburgh.
Talking and writing about food and fitness is at the heart of Claire’s ethos as she loves to use her experience to help others meet their health and wellness goals.
Claire is also a certified indoor cycling instructor and loves the mental and physical boost she gets from regular runs and yoga classes. When she’s not keeping fit herself, she’s cheering on her hometown’s sports teams in Pittsburgh, or cooking for her family in the kitchen.
Find out more about Claire’s experience here.
