Whey, The Superfood You Need For Your Body’s Protein Needs

Dec 05, 2024
News

Loaded with essential amino acids, whey protein offers numerous health benefits, particularly for muscle recovery and weight management

While all proteins are different from each other, and some, like whey, are way better!
This is the protein you get from whey—the liquid left behind after milk curdles when making cheese. It is a popular supplement among athletes who want to increase their lean muscle mass and those looking for an easy way to increase their daily protein intake.
Loaded with essential amino acids that get absorbed quickly, whey protein offers numerous health benefits, particularly for muscle recovery, weight management, and overall well-being. “Whey proteins are easily and quickly digested. These proteins are purified into different concentrations based on the end composition desired. The content of the whey protein may vary in carbohydrates, fat, immunoglobulins, lactose, and minerals,” Dr. Bijoy Deb, Senior Medical Advisor, MD (Integrative Medicine), DNP, CFN, CCGP (London), told Times Now.
According to Dr. Deb, essential amino acids that are whey proteins include three BCAAs, or branched-chain amino acids, viz., leucine, isoleucine, and valine, which are all present in whey proteins in a proper ratio and also contain subcomponents of microfractions that provide the benefits of elemental nitrogen and amino acids.
PDCAAS (protein digestibility corrected amino acid score) is used to evaluate protein quality. “The score is based on how well the human body can digest the particular protein and its amino acid requirements. Since whey proteins give all eight essential amino acids, they have a score of 1, which is the highest,” Dr. Deb added.

How is the whey protein important for muscle mass and strength in sportspersons?

Whey protein is the one that is most useful for sports nutrition, as it stands out due to its unique properties, making it ideal for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. Experts say it has a fast absorption rate, complete amino acid profile, and high leucine content, which offers multiple performance benefits. “It offers fast-digesting, high-quality protein that supports muscle growth, recovery, and overall athletic performance,” said Dr. Deb.
The versatility and proven benefits, like being easily digestible, release of energy, and faster recovery, also make it a go-to supplement for athletes across various disciplines.

How is whey protein consumed?

According to Dr. Deb, whey is divided into three categories:
  • Concentrated whey proteins
  • Isolated whey proteins
  • Hydrolysate whey proteins
While concentrated whey proteins can be consumed by everyone, isolated whey proteins are meant for lactose-intolerant people. Further, hydrolysed whey protein is a pre-digested protein and therefore they are meant for people who are unable to digest proteins.
Additional benefits of whey protein include increasing serotonin activity and promoting restful sleep. Whey proteins also help in enhancing energy levels and decreasing stress. They also help in keeping the metabolic rate high, reducing body fat, and building lean body mass. In addition to these, some of the top benefits of whey protein include immunity support, increased muscle mass, and boosting metabolism, thereby improving overall health.
Therefore, we can conclude that whey protein supplements are one of the ultimate sources of protein. It is clearly understood that whey protein supplements deliver tonnes of benefits for the overall maintenance of health and general well-being.
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