Which post-workout protein shake is best?

Relaxnews
Monday 22 August 2011 19:00 EDT
Comments
(Andresr)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Experts say guzzling a post-workout protein shake can help muscle recovery and growth, but what type of protein is better, whey or casein?

Announced last week, a Canadian study involving protein supplements and resistance training reveals that whey protein may be your best bet.

"A whey protein shake would probably be better than a casein protein shake," says researcher Daniel W.D. West of McMaster University in Ontario in a release. The rationale? While both proteins are found in milk, casein is digested slower than whey, and after a workout, the body responds best to a fast-acting protein, noted the researchers.

Another new study from the US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine that was also announced last week reveals that protein supplements that include higher concentrations of the amino acid leucine work better than those with lower concentrations. In the study, active-duty military personnel drank a high-protein beverage (10 grams of protein) that contained either 1.87 grams of leucine or 3.5 grams of leucine while riding a stationary bicycle. 

"It appears more leucine is beneficial in the context of muscle recovery," says researcher Stefan M. Pasiakos, PhD, a research physiologist involved in the study.

Both studies are published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

How much protein should you drink? Experts recommend not overdoing it and sticking to around 20 grams of protein or less after your workout.

"Some protein for repair is good but not [an] excess," advised Felicia Stoler, a nutritionist and exercise physiologist in an interview with WebMD. "I always have to caution about protein. People think they need way more than they do."

Make your own protein shake at home: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-8qQbsWRI4

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in