Many people are interested in knowing about the best protein powder. If you are one of them, then you need to put less faith in the package labels. When it comes to the most excellent supplements, you can take, protein is at the top of the chart, but you have to be sure that you are consuming high-quality protein powder.
This piece is going to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of whey protein and plant protein. Yes, there are two types, so you have to be very careful about which one to choose.
Difference Between Whey and Plant Protein
For those of you who are wondering about what separates whey protein from the one derived from plants, it all has to do with the origins and essential amino acids’ content. When it comes to the source, whey protein stems from dairy, and that implies that if you are a vegetarian or someone allergic to dairy products, this is not the right pick for you. But, whey protein isolate is a much better option for those who are lactose intolerant.
The liquid which gets left behind after curdling and straining milk is referred to as ‘whey.’
But other than this, it is an amazing source of first-class protein. Then we have the plant-based protein that is sourced from plants rich in protein. These include chickpeas, lentils, hemp, peas, pumpkin, brown rice, potato, and soy.
Now we talk about why there is even a comparison between these two forms of protein. Your body can synthesize several amino acids without external help. However, some nine amino acids that the body cannot produce are referred to as the essential amino acids.
Since your body cannot produce them, you will have to include them in your diet. Any meal with all these nine essential amino acids is said to be a complete protein, and the definition is self-explanatory.
Whey protein tops the chart of popularity among the protein powders as it has all the essential amino acids. However, you need to be watchful about the precise type of whey protein you go for, as some can have lower protein content than advertised. You should also know that only a handful of plant sources are termed as complete proteins if you are searching for plant protein powder.
Which Helps More with Muscle Gain?
For those who want an improvement with muscle bulk, protein is the essential ingredient here. So it makes sense to supplement with protein powders. However, it is the content of the protein that will help you with muscle gain. Your body splits the protein into amino acids, which are then used for muscle gain.
However, you need to know that if your body lacks essential amino acids, its processes may not be able to utilize the amino acids properly to build your muscle tissue. So, even though whey and plant protein can help build muscle tissue, you have to select the appropriate protein that has all the essential amino acids, or else you will not achieve the goals.
Whey Protein Powder
On this, whey is a complete amino acid source and has more than average to a high content of virtually all the essential amino acids. Hence, it assists your muscle, optimizes loss of fat, and improves recovery. When choosing, whey protein isolates are better options rather than concentrates. It contains all nine essential amino acids. Now, that’s important!
Plant-based Protein Powder
If you are a vegan, it will not be easy for you to find many options that are complete proteins. This is because many vegetarian protein sources do not have a lot of ‘pure protein.’ To sum it up, quinoa can be high in protein, but the same grain has many carbohydrates. Peanuts have protein, but they have a relatively high level of fat.
Many of the sources of plant-based proteins do not all contain every single essential amino acid. Brown rice protein or plain rice protein is the most frequently cited source of plant protein, but it is not a complete protein.
Concluding Thoughts
Always remember that your body requires protein to survive. It is an important element in your diet as it helps in managing weight, speeding up the metabolism, and boosting immunity.
Plant-based protein is easily digestible, whereas whey protein has all nine essential amino acids. Moreover, the latter contains pure protein. If we consider all the factors, whey is a better option for those who are not lactose intolerant. In case you are allergic to lactose, you have the option of choosing whey protein isolate.
Now you can make the best pick as per your personal preference and need.
