Top 5 Myths about Whey Protein

Courtesy of Flickr

Courtesy of Flickr

Sports nutrition supplements and shakes seem to have all sorts of myths about them. In fact, it can be hard to tell what’s fact and what’s fiction. Are these shakes actually good for you? Can they help you build muscle, or are they just a very expensive waste?

First, what is why protein? Basically, it’s a type of protein that is found in dairy products, including cottage cheese, skim milk, and yogurt. The whey protein found in these shakes comes in a powder, which is basically a dried form of the liquid. Whey protein is very quickly digested by the body, which is why many athletes and bodybuilders like it. The body can quickly make use of the amino acids to help the body recover after exercise.

So what myths are there about whey protein? Here are the most common.

  1. Diets high in protein are bad and can cause renal failure. A lot of people believe that high protein diets can be really bad for your kidneys. However, many scientific studies have shown this to be false. Of course, excessive amounts of anything can cause issues, but to really damage your body using protein, you would have to consume a large amount. The protein found in whey protein shakes, when combined with a healthy diet, is perfectly healthy.

  2. Whey protein will make you gain weight. While it’s true that many whey protein shakes are high in calories, this is due to the fact that you should take them before exercising so you have plenty of energy. You’ll burn off a good majority of these calories as you exercise. It’s also true that protein has half of the calories of fat, so diets high in protein and low in fat will actually help you lose weight.

  3. Whey protein products are very expensive. While it’s true that it might seem like you’re paying a lot of money, whey protein comes in large containers that will often last for a month or more. If you figure out the cost of each shake, you’ll realize you’re spending much less than you would on a coffee at Starbucks.

  4. Only athletes and bodybuilders need whey protein shakes. While it’s true that these two groups of people do use whey protein more than others, they’re not the only ones who can make use of these products. In fact, protein is one of the most important things for the body, and it’s very important for everyone to get a good amount of protein every day. Whey protein shakes can be especially helpful for those who aren’t able to eat regular meals since they’re very convenient.

  5. Whey protein does not taste good at all! This may have been true years ago, but nutrition has come a long way since then. Today, many whey protein shakes come in different flavours like chocolate, cookies and cream, vanilla, and even peanut butter chocolate. You’re sure to find a flavour you like, and who knows—instead of simply drinking it as a supplement, you might actually enjoy your whey protein shake as a drink!

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 at 10:14 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. Sports Top Blogs Health blogs Blog Directory

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