Whey Protein Benefits

Written by Ben Carlisle

Last updated on: Sep 25, 2022

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Are you trying to build muscle? If so, you may be wondering if you should be adding whey protein to your diet. Whey protein has many benefits, including helping with muscle growth and weight loss. Whether you're looking to gain or lose weight, improve your athletic performance, or enhance your body shape, a protein supplement can be of great help.

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In this post, we'll take a closer look at the benefits of whey protein and how it can help you reach your fitness goals.

Benefits Of Whey Protein

Here are some of the top benefits of whey protein supplementation:

Accelerates Muscle Growth

When it comes to promoting rapid muscle growth, whey protein is one of the best supplements you can take. As a type of protein which is derived from milk, it contains all of the essential amino acids that your body needs to build muscle. Among the most valuable amino acids that boost muscle growth include leucine, isoleucine, and valine. Whey protein also has a high concentration of branch chain amino acids (BCAAs), which are known for their ability to stimulate protein synthesis (1). Some the best whey protein powder supplements also have protein contents as high as 90%.

In addition to its amino acid content, whey protein is also rich in other nutrients that are essential for muscle growth. For instance, it's a good source of magnesium, which is involved in over 300 different biochemical reactions in the body, including muscle contraction. It's also a good source of phosphorus, which helps to store and use energy in the cells, as well as potassium, which is essential for proper muscle function.

Another reason why whey protein is especially effective in promoting muscle growth is that it is easy to digest (2). This means that your muscles can start rebuilding and growing soon after you consume it, demonstrating quick results.

Provides Nutrition Boost

As a complete protein, Whey protein provides a nutritional boost that can help you reach your fitness goals (3). If you're too skinny and wish to gain weight in a short period, whey is an excellent way to help you do so. Combined with a weightlifting routine, whey can help you build muscle mass quickly.

Whey protein is also an excellent source of protein for vegetarians and people who are lactose intolerant. Vegetarians can get the benefits of whey by using a protein powder that is made from vegetable sources such as hemp or pea protein. And lactose intolerant people can choose options with very low lactose levels such as whey isolate.

Facilitates Weight Loss

If you're trying to lose weight, protein can be your best friend. That's because protein helps you feel fuller longer and provides your body with the necessary building blocks to create new muscle. One type of protein that's especially effective for weight loss is whey protein.

Whey protein is a complete protein, meaning it contains all of the essential amino acids your body needs to function properly. But how exactly does whey protein lets you lose weight?

First, whey protein helps you feel full. A study in the journal Nutrition & Metabolism found that participants who consumed whey protein before a meal ate fewer calories at that meal than those who did not consume whey protein (4). Another study conducted for 158 people revealed that whey users lost way more body fat while also preserving lean muscle than users of the control beverage (5).

Whey protein also helps you lose weight by preserving muscle mass. When you lose weight, you want to make sure that the weight you're losing is coming from fat, not muscle. Muscle is more metabolically active than fat, so it helps you burn more calories even at rest.

But if you don't consume enough protein, your body will break down muscle for energy, which can lead to a decrease in metabolism. A study in the journal Obesity found that participants who consumed whey protein lost more fat and preserved more muscle mass than those who didn't consume whey protein.

Wound Healing

Whey protein is a powerful nutrient that can help heal wounds. Amino acids, which have been discussed earlier, are also essential for the formation of new tissue and the repair of damaged tissue (6). Whey protein also contains immunoglobulins, which are antibodies that help fight infection.

There are many studies that have shown the healing benefits of whey protein. One study showed that whey protein improved wound healing in rats. The study found that whey protein increased the rate of collagen synthesis, which is essential for wound healing.

Another study looked at the effect of whey protein on human skin cells. The study found that whey protein stimulated the growth of new skin cells and the production of collagen (7). So, if you're determined to recover from a serious injury, whey protein is the way to go.

Known to Cure Type 2 Diabetes

If you are one of the millions of Americans struggling with type 2 diabetes, you may be feeling hopeless. But there is good news! A new study has shown that whey protein may be the key to curing this disease.

Though more research needs to be done, the current findings are very promising. In the study, participants who took whey protein supplements experienced higher insulin responses, leading to a significant decrease in their blood sugar levels (8). They also had better insulin sensitivity and reduced inflammation.

So if you are struggling with type 2 diabetes, be sure to ask your doctor about whey protein supplements. They just might be the key to curing your disease!

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Conclusion

Whey protein has been shown to have a variety of benefits for human health. It is especially important for athletes but can be beneficial for anyone. Some of the key benefits include building muscle mass, offering a nutritional boost, facilitating weight loss, healing wounds, and curing type 2 diabetes.

Whey protein is also easily absorbed by the body and has a high nutritional value. If you are looking for an easy way to improve your health, consider adding whey protein to your diet. We truly hope that the supplementation helps you achieve your desired health and improve your athletic performance.

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References

1. https://jissn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12970-017-0184-9

2. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259570207_Health_Benefits_of_Whey_Protein_A_Review

3. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/do-i-need-to-worry-about-eating-complete-proteins/

4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18469287/

5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2289832/

6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5499069/

7. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464615004570

8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16002802/


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