Protein shakes have become increasingly popular over the past few years, this has become more prevalent amongst people wanting to maintain their fitness and athletes. The great thing about protein shakes is that they offer a quick and convenient way to increase protein intake, which is essential for muscle growth, repair and maintenance. Below we will investigate some of the advantages of protein shakes.
- Easy to Digest
One of the primary benefits of protein shakes is that the ingredients that they are comprised of are easy to absorb. The better the quality of ingredient the faster this occurs. Whole food sources of protein, such as meat and beans can take hours to digest. Good quality protein powders have the proteins digested and absorbed in a very short timeframe. The speed of absorption is important when utilising protein shakes as a sports supplement to maximise any potential gains from exercise.
- Convenient
Protein shakes are incredibly convenient, this is more for 93 Green Premium 5, which is not only an easily mixed powder, but also comes in a single serve sachet (extra speed and convenience). This makes protein shakes an ideal choice for people on the go and who are time poor. The time it takes to prepare and cook a meal to get a boost of protein in your diet is far longer than it takes to empty a sachet of Premium 5 into the shaker with 200ml of water and then shake for 30 seconds. The convenience can also go down as far as deciding on the form of protein that you use, whether it be dairy based (like our Premium 5 protein shake), vegan (we are in the throes of developing a vegan 4 product) or gluten free, which our products are too.
- Supports Muscle Growth and Repair
Protein is essential for muscle growth and repair. As you exercise, your muscles begin to ‘breakdown’ and therefore a good balance of amino acids is required for the rebuild (hence the mantra on our packaging of Perform, Recover, Rebuild).
- Can Help With Weightloss
Protein shakes can be beneficial in weightloss. Protein has been proven to be more satiating (making you feel less hungry and suppressing appetite) than carbohydrates or fats, which means it can help you feel full for longer. This action of proteins can help reduce cravings and prevent overeating which over time can lead to weightloss. In addition, protein shakes tend to be lower in calories than whole food sources of protein, which can also contribute to weightloss.
- Improves Athletic Performance
Protein shakes can improve athletic performance. When you exercise, you need energy, and protein is needed to support this energy production. By consuming protein before or after exercise you provide the body with the protein needed to sustain this energy production. Also, having plenty of protein available reduces the muscle soreness and damage associated with exercise and will improve athletic performance and reduce the risk of injury.
- Versatile
Protein shakes are incredibly versatile. They can be made with additional ingredients such as fruit, vegetables and nut butters, or whatever takes your fancy to produce protein and nutrient rich smoothies which enhance flavour and nutrient content to your specific needs. With this you can experiment with different ingredients to find the best balance for your palate and nutritional requirements.
- Cost Effective
Finally, protein shakes provide a more cost-effective way of increasing your protein intake. Whilst some high-quality protein powders are slightly more expensive, their nutritional content is far more cost effective than the whole food comparison. Protein powders are more shelf stable and longer lasting than fresh meat.