One of the first things that comes to our mind when thinking of sports nutrition supplements is protein powder. Often people have a wrong idea that these are probably exclusively for bodybuilders and athletes. However, it is not so. Protein powders are now taken by more or less anyone and everyone who engage themselves in exercises or other activity-based works.
However, you need to know about some of the significant aspects to purchase the best protein powder in India. So we are here to provide you with an ultimate guide that would help you buy the best protein powder that will suit all your needs. Let us now check out some of the most common questions that you might have regarding protein powders.
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What Is Protein Powder?
With hundreds or maybe even thousands of options out there, it can be indeed difficult to select the best protein powder for yourself. This is because everyone has unique goals, physiology, and preferences. So the companies manufacture several types of protein powders to suit everyone’s needs. First, however, you need to know about your needs and preferences and select one meticulously to avoid future health complications.
However, what do you mean exactly by protein powder? It is a powdered form of protein from plants, including soybeans, peas, rice, potatoes, or hemp. At the same time, protein also comprises casein or whey protein that we derive from eggs or milk.
In addition, the powders can include other ingredients like added sugars, artificial flavoring, thickeners, vitamins, and minerals. So you need to select one as per your needs.
Why Do We Need Protein Powders?
As discussed above, protein powder is a popular nutritional supplement. However, you may consult a dietician before purchasing any protein powder on your own, as they will be the best person to judge which is the best protein powder in India. Protein is a macronutrient that we all require. It helps form muscles, repair tissues, and make enzymes and hormones.
At the same time, the consumption of the protein powder also helps in the reduction of extra weight and tones the muscles. However, there are different types of protein powder, which might include dairy-based and plant-based. Therefore, the benefits might vary from the type of protein powder you choose. Let us now discuss choosing the best protein powders for yourself.
How Can You Choose the Best Protein Powder?
After knowing about all the benefits of this magical supplement, you are probably eager to know about how you can choose the best protein powder, right? Let us now discuss some of the significant points regarding it:
Which Protein Should You Choose?
Before you proceed with buying a protein powder, you need to know the answer to this question. As you know, there are so many protein powders available in the market that it has become tough for anyone to make the correct choice. However, you should pick one that best suits your needs and personal goal.
Even if you are looking to bulk up, build muscles, lose weight, or just get yourself into healthier shape, you need to select one which consists of a blend of all these. For instance, whey protein is the most commonly used protein supplement due to its easy digestibility, amino acid profile, and absorption rate.
Protein Quality
This is one of the essential aspects that you need to keep in mind while purchasing a pack of protein shake. Therefore, when it comes to assessing the quality of protein shakes, there’s a lot to talk about.
You must be knowing that proteins are made up of amino acids, so they can be put together in different ways to serve other purposes in the body. In total, your body uses 20 different amino acids, seven of which are non-essential amino acids. Also, your body can make four conditionally essential amino acids, but not always. So protein shakes can help you fulfill the protein deficiencies in your body.
Plant-Based Vs. Animal Protein
Proteins can be categorized into two types: plant-based and animal-based. So if we talk about animal-based proteins, they are of two kinds, milk-based and other animal protein sources.
Milk-Based Protein Powders
As the name suggests, it is made up of milk. So they are all complete sources of protein. If you are looking for protein shakes for post-workout sessions, you can choose whey protein. This is because it is of incredibly high quality, and it is also gets digested faster than other protein shakes. You might see whey proteins in concentrate, isolate, and hydrolyzed formulas.
Casein is also considered the best type of protein powder if you are taking it before your bed. This is because it takes some time to digest. At the same time, you can also choose protein shakes having milk protein blends that include both whey and casein. Again, this is because they both provide fast and slow-digesting protein.
Animal-Based Protein Powders
You can also choose animal-based protein powders for those who do not prefer milk-based protein powders. It includes egg-white protein, collagen. Meat-based powders are often derived from beef and other animal meat. So you can choose anyone as per your needs and preferences.
Plant-Based Protein Powders
Not all plant-based proteins are complete proteins. However, as long as you eat a varied diet, you’ll get all the required proteins that your body lack. For instance, Soy protein effectively promotes muscle growth, and it is often considered a complete protein.
Other plant-based proteins include pea, rice, and the blends of all these plant-based protein powders.
Summing it Up
So, as we conclude, we can say that protein shakes are highly essential for boosting your body’s immunity. It also strengthens your body from within and fulfills any kind of protein-related deficiencies.