Anyone who is interested in fitness and protein-rich nutrition will inevitably be confronted with various protein supplements sooner or later. Whey products are particularly common. What is it and why is it one of the most popular protein sources for athletes and fitness fans?
What is whey?
Whey protein is an incredible source of protein. Whey is English and means whey. Due to its high biological value of 104, the large amount of essential amino acids and its rapid absorption, it is one of the most effective proteins for athletes. On the one hand, it is ideal for building and maintaining muscle mass, but on the other hand, it can easily help with weight loss in a diet. Daminoc® offers an advanced new alternative. As a vegan protein powder that offers all ten essential aminocarboxylic acids in exact accordance with human needs, it significantly exceeds the biological value of whey and is suitable for every type of diet.
The whey protein is produced using special filtration processes. It is a by-product of cheese production and, alongside casein protein, is one of two types of protein that can be obtained from milk. It is filtered directly from the milk, separated from the casein and then dried. The quality and purity of the product depend heavily on the manufacturing process and the quality of the milk.
The whey protein is easily digestible and can be converted into the body’s own proteins almost immediately in the human body. The first amino acids enter the blood just 30 minutes after ingestion.
What types of whey are there?
There are three types of whey protein:
| whey protein concentrate | The whey concentrate is relatively cheap, but also contains the highest proportion of fat and lactose. Compared to the other two forms of protein, it also has a slightly lower protein content and is unsuitable for people with lactose intolerance due to the milk sugar it contains. |
| Whey-Protein-Isolat | Whey isolate is whey in its purest form with a higher biological value. Additional filtration further increases the protein content, while fat and lactose are almost completely filtered out. Usually more than 90% of the weight of this whey isolate is pure protein, and it is usually a bit more expensive than the concentrate. |
| Whey-Protein-Hydrolysat | Whey hydrolysate is the most expensive form of whey protein. The hydrolysis process breaks it down into smaller components, making it much easier and faster for the body to absorb and pass on to the muscles. It is practically “pre-digested”. Because it is easily tolerated, it is often recommended for people with sensitive stomachs.Wozu brauche ich Whey? |
Protein powder and similar supplements are mostly used by athletes and bodybuilders to increase their protein intake and thereby promote muscle building and support recovery after training. The amino acids they contain boost protein synthesis and provide the muscles with additional energy.
Whey protein for muscle building
Whey protein supplements can help enormously with building and maintaining muscle mass. They contain all essential amino acids and therefore provide your body with the protein building blocks it needs. Whey protein shakes are particularly effective immediately after training. This time window of around 30 to 40 minutes is the so-called “open window”. During this time, your body can absorb and metabolize nutrients particularly well.
Whey Protein for Weight Loss
Whey protein powder can also help with weight loss. On the one hand, maintaining muscle mass plays a role here too, since during a calorie deficit the body not only breaks down fat, but also muscle. A protein-rich diet can counteract this. On the other hand, proteins also prolong the feeling of satiety and speed up the metabolism, which can also help with weight loss.
Is whey dangerous?
In principle, the consumption of whey protein supplements is neither dangerous nor harmful. However, some people may notice slight discomfort. For example, whey protein powder is an ideal source of protein, but its relatively short residence time in the stomach can lead to some difficulties in further digestion. Because the barely digested whey proteins quickly reach the intestines, discomfort such as flatulence or other digestive problems can easily occur.
The lactose contained in the cheaper whey products can also cause similar symptoms and is therefore not suitable for people who are lactose intolerant. In addition, regular whey consumption can also put a strain on our skin. People with existing skin problems such as acne in particular should think twice about whether whey should be their protein powder of choice. As with all nutritional supplements, excessive consumption of protein supplements can quickly lead to a very one-sided diet.
Whey protein is an ideal source of protein, but apart from that it hardly contains any other important nutrients. This means that while it is convenient and easy to meet your daily protein needs, you should not forget to eat a healthy and balanced diet. High amounts of protein over a long period of time can also have a negative effect on individual organs such as the liver and kidneys, as they have to somehow metabolize the unnaturally high doses and their waste products.
Conclusion
Whey protein powder is one of the most effective ways to consume protein. Its complete amino acid profile makes it the ideal way to optimally cover your daily protein requirements. It also contains little fat and carbohydrates, which not only makes it good for building muscle, but also helps you achieve the desired results more quickly when dieting. However, it is important to remember that protein shakes and the like are only an addition to a balanced and healthy diet and cannot and should not replace a meal. As the name suggests, they are food SUPPLEMENTS.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Ist Whey vegan?
No. Since whey protein is obtained from milk, it is an animal product and therefore not vegan.