Drinking supplements to boost the body’s performance during workouts has been a custom for athletes and gym buffs for years. You will see them holding bottles containing their supplement of choice before or after going to the gym. But perhaps one of the most popular workout supplements is the whey protein. Plenty of weightlifters and bodybuilders opt to take it because it contains a wide variety of essential amino acids.
Due to its popularity, a lot of researchers studied the benefits of whey protein in a person’s body. Here are some significant studies made about this supplement that could further encourage fitness enthusiasts to make it a part of their health regimen.
Whey Protein Provides Large Amounts Of High-Quality Protein
As the name suggests, the whey protein is the component of whey that contains the most protein. The high-quality protein contained in whey protein comes with all the important amino acids. According to a study published by the US National Institute of Health, it is also easy to digest and absorbed faster by the gut when stacked up with the other kinds of protein. Because of this, health experts consider whey protein as one of the best nutritious sources of protein.
You can find three different types of whey protein powder in the market today. The first and most affordable one is the concentrate whey protein (WPC), the whey protein isolate (WPI), and the whey protein hydrolysate (WPH). The WPC contains low levels of fat and carbohydrates, while WPI removed all the fat and lactose completely. WPH, on the other hand, already goes through the partial hydrolysis process for protein absorption, which is why most people refer to it as the “predigested” type of whey protein.
Whey Protein Encourages Muscle Growth
As people age, their muscle mass gradually declines. As a result, it will lead to fat gain and increases the risk of different types of chronic ailments. Fortunately, everyone can prevent, slow down, or reverse this unwanted body change by using a combination of strength training and proper diet, complete with consumption of protein supplements or high-protein foods.
According to health experts, whey protein can be one of the best sources of protein in the diet, since it has plenty of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) known as leucine. Because of this, it can be a useful nutrient source to avoid age-related muscle degradation. It can also help improve a person’s strength and physical appearance.
Whey Protein Can Lower Blood Pressure Levels
Hypertension or abnormally high blood pressure is one of the major causes of heart disease worldwide. This health condition can be fatal, but several studies are claiming that regular consumption of dairy products can lessen blood pressure. Researchers found out that there are angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACE-inhibitors) present in dairy products. They call the ACE-inhibitors in whey protein as lactokinesis. Based on these studies, it can also significantly lower the blood pressure level in several animal clinical trials.
Aside from these studies, other researchers also claimed that whey protein could help moderate blood sugar levels, lessen inflammation in different parts of the body, and help treat inflammatory bowel disease. It can also reportedly boost a person’s antioxidant defences and keep them satiated for a long time. As a result, the body will look and feel better with regular consumption of whey protein supplements.
Author Bio: Paul Sebastian is a blogger and writer. He loves to express his ideas and thoughts through his writings.