When it comes to protein, I’m pretty sure that every athlete, bodybuilder, and individual who exercises on a regular basis is aware of the fact that their body needs large amounts of this nutrient in order to be able to repair the torn muscle fibres and build muscle. However, many people don’t know which sources of protein to opt for as some professional bodybuilders and nutritionists claim that whole foods are superior to protein supplements (vegetables, for example, offer amino acids, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and heart-healthy fats unavailable in protein supplements), whereas others believe that protein supplements, especially whey protien powder ones, deserve to be included in bodybuilding diets. I did my research and found out that they are totally right. Here’s why that is so.
First of all, whey protein is derived from milk and is believed to be the highest quality source of protein available on the market. Whey protein has a high level of branched-chain amino acids which are immensely important to building muscle. Furthermore, whey protein has the highest bio-availability of all the available types of protein, which means that the human body will absorb and use the highest percentage of the total protein content.
Another great reason to opt for a quality whey protien powder is the fact that whey delivers the most isolated source of protein possible. For example, today’s whey protein concentrates (WPCs) contain as high as 80% protein with reduced amounts of lactose and fat. A high-quality whey concentrate also contains high levels of growth factors, such as IGF-1, TGF-β1, and TGF-β2, as well as other protein fractions of different molecular weights, including beta-lactoglobulin, alpha-lactalbumin, bovine serum albumin, and immunoglobulins. This explains why so many studies suggest that whey protein concentrates can significantly boost a person’s immune system.
Thanks to its fast absorption rate, whey protein is perfect for post workout shakes and meals. You can use whey protein powders by preparing delicious and more importantly nutritious post-workout shakes and smoothies with them as well as by adding them to your oatmeal/yogurt/cereal which doesn’t require much time. That, I believe, is one of the strongest reasons more and more people nowadays choose to supplement their normal intake of protein with whey protein powders.
So, if your goal is to build quality muscle but are too busy to prepare healthy, protein-packed meals ahead of time, you should definitely incorporate whey protein powders into your diet. Trust me, you won’t regret making this decision.
