Is Protein Powder Good or Bad for Health?

Protein Powders are not just meant for advanced athletes and hardcore bodybuilders.

These days, you can easily find a wide range of protein powders from some of the biggest names in the world of health and wellness at mainstream supermarkets and online stores.

Quick Summary

Protein powder can be good for health, supporting muscle growth and recovery, but excessive intake may lead to digestive issues and kidney strain.

What Protein Powder?

There is no standard formulation as far as the ingredients of protein powders are concerned.

However, a majority of protein powders that you see at the supermarkets and online stores are made from one or multiple sources of protein.

These protein sources are isolated from a portion of food and thereafter concentrated into a finely powdered and dry form.

Protein Powders may be made from either plant sources (such as quinoa, brown rice, split peas, and soy) or an animal source (dairy-derived casein/whey protein or eggs).

The Nutritional Breakdown of Protein Powder

For a healthy adult, the recommended dietary allowance of protein with a minimal level of physical activity is presently 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day.

However, protein requirements may differ from one individual to another based on their age and activity level.

You need to read the product label and find out the number of proteins that you can access with each serving.

Safety & Efficacy

Most protein powders are safe to consume, even when consumed for years at the recommended dosages.

However, you should remember that abuse or overdosing of everything is bad and protein powders are no exceptions.

Long-term abuse of protein powders at extremely high dosages should always be avoided.

Conclusion

Protein Powders have been popular for years as they help promote a nourished body.

Athletes, bodybuilders, and fitness enthusiasts appreciate them for a variety of reasons: improve sports performance, lose weight, gain muscle mass, and overall wellness.

However, it is important for everyone not to be carried away by countless choices ahead of you.

It is highly recommended that you must read the label carefully and study the safety and efficacy profiles of the product ingredients.

Also, you must consume protein shakes within 45-60 minutes of a workout to recover after exercise.

If weight management is your objective, you should consume a steady protein supply at each snack and meal to keep full. Make the right choices, stay safe and healthy!