Should You Take Whey Protein Powder?
It may appear that mixing protein powder into a glass of milk or a smoothie is easy to improve your health. Protein is necessary for muscle growth and maintenance, bone strength, and other bodily activities. In addition, many elderly persons don’t eat enough protein due to a loss of appetite.
However, a chocolate or vanilla protein powder scoop may have health concerns. Below are a few of the health concerns listed that you should consider before using whey protein powder.
What Is Whey Protein?
Casein and whey protein are the most common types of protein found in milk. During the manufacture of cheese from milk, a combination of proteins is extracted from whey. Whey protein is the name for this protein blend.
During cheese manufacture, the fatty material in milk coagulates, separating the whey, which is generally found in the liquid part of milk, as a by-product. For a long time, cheesemakers discarded this whey, but that is no longer the case. Whey protein is now well-known for its nutritional properties.
Whey protein powder is generally flavoured with other ingredients because it doesn’t taste particularly good. If you’re thinking about buying whey protein powder, check sure it’s free of added sugar.
Its protein composition may readily supplement 25-50 g of your daily protein need. It’s a simple method for fitness buffs, weight-loss aspirants, and anyone who doesn’t get enough protein-rich foods to get it. You can’t afford to miss out on this source of protein if you’ve tried flavoured whey protein. You may use it as a food supplement or add it to protein bars and drinks.
The majority of people easily digest whey protein. Others with lactose intolerance or allergies, on the other hand, may need to be cautious.
Side Effects of Whey Protein Powder
1. Digestive Problems
The majority of the adverse effects of whey protein are connected to digestion. Some people have difficulty digesting whey protein, resulting in bloating, gas, stomach cramps, and diarrhoea.
However, lactose intolerance is the cause of most of these adverse effects. Whey protein’s primary carb is lactose. Lactose intolerance is caused by a lack of the enzyme lactase, which your body requires to digest lactose.
Furthermore, lactose intolerance is quite widespread, affecting up to 75% of individuals globally. If you’re lactose sensitive, consider whey protein isolate powder instead.
2. Kidney Issues
Whey protein should not be consumed if you have renal problems. It has the potential to exacerbate your renal difficulties. It can also result in kidney stones.
It is suggested that you take appropriate dietary fibre and fluids as part of your diet to counteract this adverse effect.
3. Liver Problems
If someone eats whey protein without exercising regularly, it might cause liver damage over time. While it is known to stimulate muscle synthesis, consuming it without exercising might have a pretty different effect and undesirable effects. In that situation, the protein is processed by the liver, which might cause liver damage over time.
4. Osteoporosis
The link between protein consumption and bone health has sparked considerable debate. Excessive protein intake may lead calcium to leak from the bones, increasing the risk of osteoporosis, marked by hollow and brittle bones. This theory was based on previous research that indicated that consuming more protein makes urine more corrosive.
As a result, additional calcium would be released from bones to function as a buffer and balance the acidic effects. However, a more recent study has discovered that the body counteracts calcium loss by boosting calcium absorption from the intestines.
Wrapping Up
Excessive whey protein powder consumption can cause a variety of adverse effects. Some of these negative effects include putting too much strain on the kidneys and liver and causing damage to these organs. While consuming whey protein, one must remember to stay hydrated. As a result, drink lots of water when consuming whey protein.
