Whey protein
Image from: Marek Uliaszcommon
Many bodybuilders would have told you that they take supplements for their muscle growth. One of the supplements that many bodybuilders drink is whey protein. However, there are also many others that refuse to drink whey protein because they believe that protein powder is unnatural, and thus, would have side effects. So, how is whey protein actually made? Why do most bodybuilders prefer them rather than unprocessed meat that contains protein? And the most important question – do they have side effects to our body?
How is Whey Protein Made?
Whey protein is made out of milk. When casein protein is extracted from milk to make cheese, the remaining liquid substance of milk, whey, is preserved. Manufacturers then remove fat from whey and dry whey into powdery solid form, which is the whey protein that many bodybuilders drink.
Why is Whey Protein so Popular?
According to HIVE Health Media, the reason why whey protein is so popular to bodybuilders is because it is better in being digested and absorbed than proteins in meat. For bodybuilding, it is important to provide protein to the body within 30 minutes after workout because if not, the body would produce a stress hormone called cortisol that inhibits muscle growth. Therefore, although it is true that meat can provide proteins needed for muscle growth, whey protein is more effective because it is faster to be absorbed after workout. Below is a short video explaining why whey protein is faster to be absorbed:
Drawbacks of Whey Protein
The kidneys and the liver
Image by: National Institute of General Medical Sciences
The drawbacks according to Muscle Building Daily is the sweetener in whey protein powder and the stress of whey protein on the kidney and the liver. A lot of manufacturers add artificial sweetener in their whey protein products to provide a better flavor. Although artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, are approved by the health departments of a lot of countries, they are still controversial on their possible side effects on human health. In addition, ingesting too much protein can put stress on the organs that break down proteins, the kidney and the liver. As whey protein is very convenient to drink, a lot of people would unconsciously drink too much of it. In long term, this might lead to kidney and liver malfunctioning.
Whey Protein in a Nutshell
Any food can be harmful if you eat too much of them; the same applies to whey protein. Despite the artificial sweetener in whey protein and the possibility of getting kidney and liver problems, I do not think it is that much a big issue if people do not abuse it. After all, artificial sweeteners are also present in Coke Zero, and eating too much meat and eggs would still cause problems to the kidney and the liver in long term.
By Mervin Wong
