Health & BeautyLifestyle

What Is Protein Powder and How to Choose the Best One

August 24, 2021 — by Valeriya Vimon

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Nowadays it’s in trend to look and stay fit, and take good care of your body. People are becoming more self-conscious of how good quality nutritious food plays a major role in their overall mental and physical health. Therefore more and more people are leading a healthy lifestyle and are looking for products to give their bodies the proper strength and needed nutrients for optimal health.

The most popular wellness products currently are powdered proteins and supplements. That said, we’ll discuss the many benefits of using these products and give you an overview of the different types of powdered protein and supplements on the market. But first, let’s first discuss what protein powder is and how much protein intake is ideal for the human body.

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What Exactly Is Protein Powder?

Protein powder is generally made from one or more types of proteins extracted from a variety of sources. There are many different types of protein powders including dairy-based and plant-based. The ones that come from animal sources are usually made from cow’s milk, eggs, or casein. Plant-based powders on the other hand are also very popular and they come from foods like quinoa, pumpkin seeds, rice, and hemp.

During the processing, the naturally occurring carbohydrates, fats, and fibre are removed while many supplementary ingredients such as sugars, artificial flavouring, thickeners, vitamins, and minerals are added.

How Much Protein Consumption Does the Human Body Need Per Day?

The recommended dose for protein intake in adults with minimal physical activity is currently 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. However, protein requirements may increase based on your exercise routine and age. For instance, 1.4 to 2 grams per kilogram of body weight may be needed for building muscle mass when doing strength training. For people, over 65 years of age the recommended dosage is 1 to 1.2 grams per kilogram of body weight.

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How to Use Protein Powder and What Are Its Benefits?

Using protein powder supplements is fairly simple. You just mix the desired amount with water or another liquid such as milk or coconut water and make your favourite smoothie. It’s advisable to take your protein shake after a completed workout session because that’s when your body needs it the most. The amino acid contained in the powder will flood your bloodstream to initiate recovery and muscle growth.

The benefits of using protein powders are plenty. They are loaded with many nutrients, amino acids that your body needs to produce hormones, enzymes, and other chemicals. Gym lovers or people who exercise regularly, want to make sure that they’re consuming an adequate amount of protein in their diets. However, this sometimes isn’t enough and many people are looking out for good protein powder supplements that can assist them in their muscle recovery and soreness after intense intervals of workout training.

The Different Types of Protein Powders on the Market

Mixed Plant-Based Powder

Some protein powders contain a blend of different types of organic plant sources such as veggies, herbs, greens, grasses, berries, fruits, and sprouts. This type of powder contains all the essential vitamins such as B6 and C, iron, riboflavin, thiamin, and pantothenic acid. This mixed plant-based powder is a great antioxidant boost and weight management product, ideal for muscle recovery, building lean muscle, and a meal replacement shake.

Egg Protein Powder

Of all the foods, eggs have the highest protein levels. A single egg white contains up to 3.6 grams of proteins on average. Besides, it has no cholesterol and saturated fats, which makes it the purest and simplest organic protein you can take.

The Egg Protein powder helps people to build muscles faster, repairs and nourishes their bodies, and supports their metabolism. It’s the perfect drink when you are in a rush and looking for a quick and outrageously delicious drink. Besides, eggs are one of the best food for decreasing your appetite and keep you full for much longer.

Whey Protein Powder

The powdered whey protein concentrate is a low-carb option, specially designed for people who want to lose weight, boost their metabolism, and increase muscle tone. The ultra high-quality whey protein concentrate has the highest biological value, containing low levels of fat and carbs. This feature is known to promote lean muscle growth and fights and supports good cardiovascular health in people. This formula also supports weight management as protein fills you up and gives a feeling of satiety.

Soy Protein Powder

For vegetarians, vegans, and those who avoid dairy products, soybeans can serve as the major source of protein. The protein soy powder is rich in BCAAs and is a complete protein that may help with muscle recovery after strenuous workouts. This product contains a complete source of protein and supplements that may help lower your cholesterol, improve bone density and lower the risk of fractures in women who are past menopause.

Collagen Protein Powder

As a person gets older, collagen production decreases which may cause several health issues, including bone loss and joint problems, and the most feared ones, wrinkles and skin sagging. Therefore, many products that are claiming to fight these issues have emerged on the market.

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Among them, collagen enriched protein powder supplements are the most popular ones. This type of product contains collagen which is derived from cow proteins that serve as one of the major building blocks in skin, tendon, muscles, and blood vessel repair.  Its unflavoured formula dissolves easily and blends in perfectly with juices, smoothies, or any other hot or cold beverage drink of your choice.