When you have hundreds of options available on the market, you can feel a little bit overwhelmed and unable to decide what protein powder is best for you. Proteins are very important in a healthy diet and that is why the amount of protein powders available on the market increased in the last couple of years. As more people become aware of the importance of the proteins, more options become available. It’s a natural thing, but that does not make the process of choosing the right type of protein powder an easy one.
The most common protein powders are made of whey and soy. Both whey and soy powders are known for stimulating muscle growth, rebuilding cells and tissues, helping with enzyme functions and improving the health of skin, hair and nails, but not both of these proteins are great for everyone.
Whey Protein Powder
The Benefits Of Whey Protein Powder
Not only one of the most common protein powder on the market, but also one of the cheapest, whey protein powder is a dairy-based product that helps repair muscles after a strength training session, increases muscle size and strength and suppresses appetite. Besides the benefits athletes and gym enthusiast are looking for in a protein powder, whey protein powder is also considered great for reducing the risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes, and to prevent the manifestation of inherited allergies.
The Side Effects Of Whey Protein Powder
Being a dairy-based product, whey protein powder is definitely not recommended for people who suffer from lactose intolerance. Consumed by these people, whey protein powder can cause bloating, gas, stomach cramps, tiredness, headaches, irritability, weakness and low energy.
Soy Protein Powder
The Benefits Of Soy Protein Powder
Often consumed by vegetarians and vegans, soy is a great source of protein. The soy protein powder contains all essential amino-acids and that makes it great for athletes and people who like challenging training sessions because it stimulates muscle growth.
Some research studies say that soy has the potential to reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease, while others link soy consumption with breast cancer and other estrogen related problems.
The Side Effects Of Soy Protein Powder
As we already mentioned, soy protein powder and soy in general raise some health concerns that cannot be ignored. High levels of estrogen can lead to many health problems for women and for men it can cause a decrease in testosterone.
If soy protein powder is the only option for you, make sure you consume it in moderation and do not combine it with a soy based diet. Also, it is important to choose a soy protein powder that is labeled as soy protein isolate. This means the powder contains more protein and less fat and cholesterol.
Another important thing that should be mentioned is that these protein powders are only supplements that are used to increase muscle strength and resistance, but they do not have the proper effects if people do not have a healthy diet that includes lots of proteins from meat, eggs and vegetables that are highly nutritious.