Our muscles love a good amount of protein, and they need it too. If you’re serious about your gym work, Whey Proteins are your best bet. But even if you’re just trying to adopt a healthier lifestyle, whey protein can help. It can supplement nine amino acids, usually found in milk, that are essential for our bodies.
Milk is considered the best source of protein. It’s made of two proteins: whey and casein. Whey is the magnificent byproduct of a process that transforms milk into another divine creation, cheese. Whey is filled with these amino acids that enable some of the most intricate anatomical functions.
Protein is among the most vital nutrients for human bodies to function correctly. A regular diet can fulfil the quota, but there can be various reasons for the inability to complete that requirement day-in and day-out, like food allergies, health hazards etc. Whatever the reason, whey protein can be the answer to all your problems.
Whey is a pretty common way for a lot of people to increase their intake of protein. It can be because of their exercise routines or their dedication to getting fit. If you want to build good muscle tone, and your mundane diet feels lacking, then whey proteins are the best way to achieve that.
With the modernisation of the fitness industry as a whole, it’s now much easier for the common public to get better training facilities and appropriate guidance. The gyms, the equipment- everything has played its part. And so has health supplements. They have the ability to build core strength, muscle mass and better endurance all in a much faster time frame.
But in the race of these different health supplements, the one that seems to be winning more and more as time progresses is Whey Protein. It is unquestionably the most popular supplement all over the world, among all fitness enthusiasts. Their lack of side effects or other damaging concerns is the simple reason behind their popularity.
One of the most used methods to push whey protein into a diet is protein shakes. They are a convenient way to gradually build muscle mass as you can carry those shakes easily, can make it tasty pretty easily, and can consume them anytime, whether it’s before a workout session, a post-workout cooling-off, or as an appetiser between meals. This way, you can consistently insert more protein into your diet without ever feeling some sort of overkill.
When you’re considering whey protein powders, everybody has different expectations and needs from it. It can successfully impact a few things in our bodies. According to experienced gym trainers and medical practitioners, it can serve a wide spectrum of purposes as well. But there’s always a question of selection. You should opt for protein powders according to your current body type and your target.
The Function Of Protein In The Human Body:
Protein is critical for human bodies and life overall. It plays an important role in physical growth and natural repair.
But there are many smaller and underlying functions of protein that make it an impossible-to-exclude in any healthy diet. Here are some of the most significant functions that protein impacts:
- Proteins are essential for growing and maintaining tissues in human bodies.
- Proteins boost the recovery from surgeries and deep injuries.
- Enzymes that orchestrate almost every biochemical reaction inside human bodies are types of proteins too.
- They help in better digestion and the production of energy and reduce the chances of blood clotting and the contraction of muscles.
- Proteins create hormones; thus, they can affect the whole unison of our bodies, including organs, cells etc. Some of these hormones are: ADH (antidiuretic hormone), ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone), Insulin, Glucagon etc.
- Some proteins provide strength and rigidity to muscle tissues and our cells like Collagen, Elastin, Keratin etc.
- They keep the acid levels and their concentration in check. This regulation helps maintain appropriate pH levels inside human bodies.
- Proteins also maintain our bodies’ fluid balance.
- Proteins are crucial for immunity building as all of them generate immunoglobulins and antibodies that protect us from diseases and infections.
- They transfer nutrients all over the human body through the bloodstream, and some kinds of proteins can also store these nutrients.
- Proteins can provide huge amounts of energy with a small quantity which is useful in maintaining the intake of calories when you’re doing heavy exercises or fasting.
The benefits of Whey Protein:
- Consuming whey protein is the quickest way to build muscle mass and strength. The combination of amino acids and protein works upon muscles much better than all the other sources of protein.
- Whey Protein satiates hunger pretty considerably. In terms of satiety, protein scores the most among macronutrients. Protein shoots up the amount of energy spent, along with maintaining your intake of calories. If you just eat 25% of your daily intake, your hunger and cravings for food can be reduced by 60%. A proper amount of exercise coupled with whey protein will free you up from those extra pounds and simultaneously strengthen your muscle mass. Your metabolism will get better, your cravings will reduce drastically, and lean muscle will be gradually built.
- According to some research, whey protein helps reduce blood pressure. Reducing junk, processed and oily foods from your diet and adding some whey protein instead will also be a great upturn in lifestyle that’ll ultimately benefit your long-term health.
- People with very low weight can gain some essential weight through the regulated use of whey protein. If somebody needs additional nutrients because of some chronic illness or some surgical procedure, whey protein can provide a good dose of nutrients quickly and effectively. Even those who have problems swallowing or chewing food can have reasonable amounts of protein daily just by sipping a whey protein shake.
Types of Whey Protein
Whey protein is protein at its most unadulterated and purest form. It absorbs super quickly, and therefore, the body gets reenergised at blazing fast speeds. No food has a higher concentration of protein than whey, and that wields the magic.
Though there are variations in the form of whey protein being sold in the market. Different approaches to achieve different purposes.
Whey Protein Concentrate: This concentrated form of whey protein has around 80% protein. It’s derived from processed whey that’s dried at low temperatures. It usually has more carbs and lipids than other varieties, and the absorption is quicker too. But keep in mind, if you’re lactose intolerant to a heavy degree, then this type of protein will be incompatible with you. The main point of difference between this variety is its lower price and a huge selection of brands.
Whey Protein Isolate: Isolate can have as much as 90% protein, and they’re processed through ultrafiltration or ion-exchange procedures. It’s low on carbs and lipids, and this kind of composition retains all the amino acids (BCAA). It’s used by professionals to dry their bodies, and it’s extensively used for recovery purposes after intense training schedules and effective growth in muscle mass.
Whey Protein Hydrolysate: The name says it all actually. Hydrolysate is produced by a protein synthesis system called hydrolysis that breaks down protein into smaller and discrete fragments containing various amino acids. That’s why it gets absorbed the best, and offers growth in muscle mass in the fastest period of time. It’s even more effective if you ingest it just before your workout and after it. It helps in weight loss too.
Whey Protein Blend: This blend variety is a mix of all the three basic forms of whey proteins mentioned above. Naturally, it culminates into a resourceful supplement that has significant value for all sorts of purposes. It provides instant energy, increases growth in muscles, and quickens recovery. But this variety is more suitable for professionals, athletes or someone who knows what they’re getting into. You need to have dedicated intense exercise sessions daily to be able to get the benefits of consuming this particular form of whey protein.
Best Whey Protein Brands
MuscleBlaze
MuscleBlaze is among the most reputed and trustworthy brands for whey protein powders. Their Biozyme Performance Whey Protein (Labdoor USA Certified) is unique due to its elevated absorption rate, which gives it 50% more absorption compared to the standard. Each serving has 25 gm of protein, and it’s made specifically for Indian body types. It comes in attractive and creative packaging and also has a pretty extensive collection of flavours available such as vanilla ice cream, double chocolate etc. But a point to be noted, it can cause indigestion for some people whose metabolism doesn't comply with whey.
Another product from them, MuscleBlaze Biozyme Whey Protein, is clinically tested thoroughly. It’s very low in fat and carbs, which makes the absorption rate very high. It’s been approved by international standards and can be considered one of the best options for building muscle mass. Only problem: many consumers don’t like its taste.
You can also look at MuscleBlaze Whey Gold Protein Isolate, which is tested internationally and certified by foreign institutions. It’s one of the most popular protein supplements available in India. Besides being low on carbs and fat, it’s also completely free from trans fats, which can add a few unwanted calories. It also helps in better digestion of protein. The one downside for some folks would be the high sugar level in the product.
Optimum Nutrition (ON) Gold Standard
This protein powder from Optimum Nutrition is a proper blend containing protein isolate and can help you increase lean mass in muscle. The darkly delicious chocolate flavour is rich in taste, but that doesn’t compromise its capability to heal muscles and build up your overall endurance level. Neither does the sweet vanilla ice cream flavour.
This protein powder combines all the benefits of protein isolate, peptides and whey protein concentrate. It’s one of the best protein supplements in the market for weight loss, and it’s equally effective for all genders. So, whether it’s post-workout recovery or effective weight loss for a healthier physique, this product can help you fulfil all your targets.
Though it can cause bowel problems for very few people, the benefits and the taste is good enough for most. And for making their offering even more irresistible, this product is entirely free of gluten and has been clinically tested for banned substances. Not only that, it can provide 24 gm of top-class protein in every serving, 11 gm of EAAs and 5.5 gm of BCAAs- all of which are naturally occurring.
Bigmuscles Nutrition Premium Gold Whey Protein Isolate Blend
This is another great option for your whey protein isolate blend that can provide 25 gm of protein in each serving. The source of this product is the USA and it’s registered under FDA as well. There are two types of protein that can hit it out of the ballpark combined in this super-effective blend.
It has both WPI (Whey Protein Isolate) and WPC (Whey Protein Concentrate) in its pretty advanced formulation, and in any buyer’s guide you consult about protein supplements, you’ll see that both of these are regularly praised. The isolate is much purer and has lesser amounts of lactose and fat. And the concentrate is a minimally processed form that generally contains more lactose and fat content. The product ensures and guarantees 100% purity, and their skilful processing makes sure that most of the nutrients remain intact and in their best state.
Big muscles Nutrition has another performance-based blend as well named the Ultimate Blend. It’s targeted towards sporting professionals, fitness enthusiasts, bodybuilders etc, for much better muscle growth, better protection against breakdowns in muscles, and quicker recovery times.
They have another interesting perk in their packaging. You can test the authenticity of your particular package through a mobile app called LetsVerify. Just open the app and scan the barcode, and you’ll have proper verification right in your hands.
Take one serving of the protein powder (30 gm) with milk or water after your workout sessions. It’s best made in blenders or shaker bottles, though. Just give a couple of whizzes or shake it up for half a minute or so, and your concoction is ready.
It’s GMO-free too and gets rigorously tested by third-party institutions for top-notch quality. It’s also available in a few exquisite flavours, Belgian Chocolate being an obvious favourite.
AS-IT-IS Nutrition Whey Protein
This is another hugely famous protein supplement in India. This protein concentrate is the real deal if you’re searching for something low-fat. It’s lightly processed so that it can preserve all the nutrients and proteins. And you can rest assured about its purity and quality, as it’s certified by lab door. So, it’s all top-quality, through and through.
Every 30 gm serving has 24 gm protein, and it’s unflavored so that you can give it a personalised twirl in all the protein shakes. You can even mix it with any other beverage and be sure that it won’t produce any awkward taste. Rich in high-quality protein, this completely natural product is an efficient blend of isolate and all the right BCAA amino acids like valine, leucine and isoleucine.
Not only does it help in building muscle mass, but it also does all of that without pushing any extra sugar into your body. Also, the product is perfectly suitable for vegans. The only downside of this excellent all-around product is the price, which can feel a bit expensive. But, as they say, quality and price go hand-in-hand.
Abbzorb Whey Protein
Abbzorb is among the very best protein supplements in the market as far as sports nutrition is concerned. It’s quite popular among fitness enthusiasts, bodybuilders, athletes etc. This product can be put to use with so much versatility- helping in losing weight, developing muscle mass, improving athletic prowess and many other things.
Abbzorb uses concentrate and protein isolate that’s ultra-filtered, to say the least, imported from all over the globe to maintain the highest possible quality. And that blend provides very fast absorption capability. It has a best-in-class protein percentage, standing tall at 79% which makes it the leader of the whole industry in this regard. It also offers 26.22 gm of protein and 69 mg of digestive enzymes in every serving. Those enzymes help in rapid absorption. It has all the BCAA amino acids that are crucial for recovery purposes and growth in muscle mass. The product is completely devoid of soy protein, heavy metals, preservatives and any kind of added sugar (sucrose). It’s low in carbs and fat, which helps to build lean mass.
Myprotein Impact Whey Protein Powder
This product is undoubtedly among the best protein supplements that specialize in building muscles. It has a very low amount of calories, and it’s rich in protein that’ll serve all your targets. It’s gluten-free and completely vegetarian. Each serving provides 21 gm of high-quality protein and only contains 1 gm of carbs and 1.9 gm of fat. Naturally, this protein powder is a good choice for muscle recovery and steady growth. It has a pretty distinct flavour, that just has the right amount of sweetness without anything excessive. But keep in mind, it has caused nausea in some people, and if you draw that kind of reaction, then, unfortunately, it’s not for you.
Dymatize Nutrition ISO 100 Whey Protein Isolate Powder
This protein powder based on protein isolate is a great option for maintaining a lean and mean body and developing muscle mass. Because of its high protein percentage, it’s pretty great for consistency in any training routine. Every serving provides 24 gm protein, and the product is pretty low on lactose. The most interesting aspect of this product is its surprisingly big collection of delicious flavours though; it’s 11 in total. The only little problem known about this powder is that it doesn't mix well easily. So, give it a mighty shake, and you’ll be alright.
Herbalife H24
Herbalife is immensely popular in India for their high-quality health products that focus on physical wellbeing, and weight loss programs, among many other things. Their H24 protein supplement is no exception. It’s been recommended by consumers for relieving muscle fatigue and gradually rebuilding muscle mass.
This product combines whey protein with essential minerals and vitamins and provides just the right amount of carbs and fat; it becomes more than an everyday protein supplement and transforms into an all-around health aid. It’s clinically tested for banned substances, so you can consume it without any worries. The product has no artificial flavour as well. The taste is all about its components, pure and natural.
Pentasure HP Banana Vanilla Whey Protein
This product is special for its unique flavour. But that’s not all at all. It is a great blend of BCAA amino acids, alpha-lipoic acid and top-class protein that can help in building up and recovery of muscles. It’s completely vegetarian and formulated for people who regularly engage in long workout sessions. The composition is free from any kind of gluten, cholesterol and trans fat. It doesn’t have any sugar added to the mix, too, which makes it perfectly suitable for diabetic patients.
Patanjali Nutrela Weight Gain Soya Whey Protein
Patanjali is one of the biggest and most trusted natural brands in India. Their 100% vegetarian whey protein is a homogenised and ultra-filtered blend of WPI, WPC, vitamins and enzymes that helps in quick absorption. It’s affordable for the athletes of rural India and most of the population. Thus, athletes from lower-income families can fulfil their daily quota of protein.
It provides 3834 kcal in every serving, absorbs pretty easily and gives a massive boost to weight gain if you’re looking for a better physique. In every serving, it contains 80% protein, 12 natural minerals, 11 vitamins that are bio-fermented and extra-ordinarily, and 17 natural herbs.
Nutrabay Pure Whey Protein Concentrate
This protein concentrate faces very little processing, so most of the nutrients keep intact in their original form. Its rich protein and low carbs help gain muscle mass faster. It provides 23.4 gm and 5.3 gm of BCAA in every serving. It’s free of gluten and all the banned substances. Another perk of Nutrabay protein concentrate is its compatibility with all sorts of keto diets.
Dr Morepen Muscle Food Raw Whey Protein
Dr Morepen is another renowned brand in India, and they have a loyal customer base here. It’s commonly used for strength training and recovery. Their whey protein is made even better by blending the supplement with multiple enzymes. The absorption is fast, the digestion is easy, and it works whether your body is in a muscle-building stage or in an anabolic state.
It provides 24 gm of protein, 11.7 gm EAA and 5.5 gm BCAA in every serving. The blend has 14 natural minerals and 12 beneficial vitamins that are filled with antioxidants and ease up any kind of inflammation. It also has amylase, cellulase, lactase, protease, and lipase, and all of these make the absorption more efficient and much quicker.
SOS Nutrition Muscular Max Men Whey Protein Powder
This supplement is created with unadulterated whey and selected digestive enzymes. Just glancing at the ingredients used, you’ll understand that it’s quietly efficient for muscle recovery.
It provides 25 gm of protein in every serving but adds very few calories and has no sugar added. The blend also has Calcium, Iron, Vitamin C and D.
Habbit Active Whey Blend Protein Powder
This protein powder is blended according to a unique, organic formula that includes Grade-A whey. The supplement is light in nature, pretty easy for consumption but still fulfils all the nutritional needs. It also develops muscle mass and improves immunity, stamina and energy. This protein powder is completely organic which reinforces physical growth and overall development. It’s a perfect choice for those who do exercise regularly, runners and joggers.
Foodstrong Daily Whey Protein Mango Shake
Foodstrong whey protein is special in its own right. Firstly, the flavour, Mango Shake, is mindblowing. But it’s not just the taste; the formulation is distinctive in every aspect too. The blend comprises premium whey protein that’s derived from the milk of only grass-fed cows, green tea and turmeric. So, the quality is much higher than many other products in the competition. This fast-absorbing protein powder’s packaging is very innovative as well. You’ll receive a bottle that will contain 16 individual sachets. Just mix and drink. Each sachet is equal to one serving, and every one of them will provide 23.93 gm of protein. The supplement is also free from gluten and added sugar.
IN2 Isolate Whey Protein
This is another very popular whey protein brand in India. Every serving provides 25 gm of whey protein, 5.5 gm of BCAA and 4 gm of Glutamine. The composition of amino acids, fast absorption and quite high BV makes it considerably capable of muscle growth and repair. It also implements cold micro-filtration that enhances its mixability, digestibility and absorption.
GNC Pro Performance Whey Protein
This performance-centric supplement is a top-notch macronutrient protein aid that can give your aching muscles all the relief in the world or can build your muscle mass up from scratch. This whey protein is free of sugar and gluten and can be counted among the best whey proteins that boost growth in muscles. It’s top-quality, a pure protein that can be consumed by vegetarians. Every serving has 24 gm protein, and 5.5 gm BCAA, including all nine essential amino acids. Additionally, this protein supplement can fulfil 30% of the daily recommended intake of Calcium.
Labrada Whey Protein
Labrada is a highly reputed brand, and their protein supplement is quite high in BCAA (Branched-Chain Amino Acids) like valine, isoleucine, leucine etc.
BCAAs amount to 1/3rd of all the muscle protein in our bodies, and therefore the human body needs more of it consistently if it goes through exercises. Naturally, it means much more to athletes whose life and career depend on their peak physicality. Also, BCAAs are essential to protect the muscles. Strenuous activities can make them shrink in size and lose their power. And this protein powder provides that in abundance. Every serving provides 26 gm protein, 3.7 gm carbs, 143.1 kcal calories and, interestingly, 74.75 mg salt.
Ultimate Nutrition Iso Sensation 93
This top-notch isolate protein supplement obtains its special taste from sweet whey, which is the first membrane filtered, and then gets spray dried by indirect heating. In their relentless pursuit to create a product that’ll be effortlessly top-quality as well as different from all the basic products in the market, Ultimate Nutrition has created something really innovative.
Only 100% ISO-certified cold whey isolates are used for this supplement, and they can be consumed by vegetarians as well. The formulation also contains 4-Hydroxyisoleucine, D-Pinitols, and Alpha-lipoic acid.
Nature's Best Isopure Protein Powder
This product is designed to easily increase your protein intake and parallel bring down the carbs you normally have in your diet. They have two variations: Zero Carb and Low Carb. Both of them have zero added sugar. Both of these varieties provide 25 gm of pure top-notch protein isolate, 119 calories, and 300 mg of Sodium in every serving with added minerals and vitamins that boost your physical capabilities and rejuvenation. The Zero Carb variety offers glutamine (both added and in naturally occurring capacity), lactose, and gluten, and it’s completely filler-free. You can also pick and choose your favourite flavour from their nice little collection. The product is compatible with vegetarians as well.
