Benefits of Supplementing Protein

For decades, protein supplements have solely been consumed by athletes, bodybuilders, and those who indulge in heavy exercise routines. It might have been a sports supplement used to enhance muscles but, nowadays, a lot of health-conscious individuals are using protein shakes in their diets.

Protein supplements have various benefits and can be found in the form of powder, solid food, or fluid formulation. The supplements are preferred over traditional protein sources because of their availability and reduced preparation time. A large population is currently using these supplements for weight reduction and muscle toning. Other possible benefits of protein supplements include:

• Nutrition

Those who struggle to meet their daily protein requirements can use supplements as an alternative. Older adults, weight lifters, athletes, and those with chronic illnesses may require more protein intake. Researchers have found that athletes involved in strenuous exercise training can benefit from having around twice their daily recommended protein intake, ranging between 1.4 and 2.0 grams per kg of body weight.

• Muscle Gain

Protein supplements may help if you want to gain lean muscle. According to a research study done at Rice University, an adult who is looking to put on muscle needs to strength train several days a week and increase his protein intake from 0.40-0.60 g per pound of his body weight to 0.60-0.90 grams.

• Recovery After Exercise

In addition to muscle growth, protein supplements can help in repairing damaged tissues and muscles. During workouts, the body naturally directs amino acids and energy to support muscle contractions. After the workout, your muscles go through a recovery phase. Drinking a protein supplement after the workout can help soothe muscles that may have been damaged during the exercise.

The supplement can also help in speeding up the recovery of sore muscles by reducing muscle damage and enhancing muscle performance and protein synthesis.

• It Helps With Muscle Growth And Recovery

Taking protein supplements will not only build and strengthen your muscles, but it can also prevent muscle breakdown. Combining exercise and regular activity with high protein intake will promote muscle growth and strengthening.

High-quality protein supplements are rich in branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and contain essential amino acids. One of the BCAAs (Leucine) plays a crucial role in stimulating muscle growth and recovery after endurance and resistance training. As such, protein shakes, for instance, are very convenient for athletes who are always on-the-go.

• It Promotes Satiety And Boosts Metabolism

Proteins will make you feel fuller than fats and carbohydrates. This may be beneficial to athletes who are always fueling up their bodies for an extended period of time. The supplement’s ability to reduce hunger levels and appetite helps in the reduction of calorie intake, which is a key factor for those trying to achieve weight loss.

Along with the reduction of appetite, taking protein supplements boosts metabolism. Your body utilizes energy to digest and make use of nutrients in the food you consume. This is referred to as the Thermic Effect of Food (TEF), and protein’s thermic effect is greater than that of fats and carbohydrates. If you are looking to lose belly fat or want to get the ideal body composition, consider replacing carbs with protein.