Training and nutrition go hand in hand, of that we can agree that there is no doubt. More than anything it is done in order to lead a healthy life and of course, get good results in your hours in the gym. However, there are many ways to nourish your body, worse when it comes to gaining muscle mass there is one that is the most “adequate”. It is about ingesting protein shakes either pre and post exercise.
The reason why protein shakes are so popular or mentioned in the fitness community. It is mainly due to how practical it is to feed you with them, since they are drinks (sometimes assorted with some powdered protein supplement). Our body and, especially muscles, manage to absorb more quickly and efficiently the protein they need. So, in the end they are not only a delicious nutritional supplement, but also an excellent way to supply the protein we need to gain muscle mass.
That is why we consider it appropriate to write an entry where all the information you need to know about protein shakes is shared. As well as answering some questions along the way, related to the same topic.
You may also be interested in reading our article on “Muscletech: Risks, Uses and How to Take Muscletech”.
What do protein shakes do?
We will start this post by dealing with the fastest and easiest question to answer. As the name suggests, these nutritional shakes are prepared taking as a focus the acquisition of protein for those who consume it. For this they are prepared using foods rich in this component and are usually accompanied by milk and banana (or banana).
Athletes or anyone who is performing an exercise routine focused on increasing muscle mass. They seek to consume this type of drinks in order to strengthen their muscles, gain endurance, energy and of course improve their performance or appearance.
When should protein shakes be taken?
It is best to drink them about 20 or 30 minutes after training. Since it is at that moment that our body is better able to absorb proteins. Thus, achieving a better assimilation of them and avoiding any type of stomach pain.
There are those who take two protein shakes per day, this is perfectly acceptable and if you intend to do that. The recommendation is that the first shake is taken in the morning, early in the day as breakfast or complement to it. And the second can be in pre or post exercise, being always recommended the post (In pre it is better to ingest some type of energy drink).
Surely you will love reading our entry on “How to Do Protein Diet”.
How long does it take for protein shakes to take effect?
If you ingest the protein outside of that “metabolic gap” you get after your workout, this nutritional component will be circulating through your body. Being more specific in the muscles, during the next 24 hours.
Of course, it is always advisable to do it after exercising for the simple fact that your muscles will be “stretched”. And protein is better used at that time because you nourish the muscle at the time that most demands the assumption of nutrients and protein.
What happens if I exceed the amount of protein I should eat?
Like everything in life, in excess it turns out to be harmful, and believe it or not with protein there is no exception. Abusing protein shakes can cause a number of cardiovascular diseases or disorders. The main reason is because proteins are usually found in animals, and therefore are accompanied by saturated fats. Which damages our arteries due to the increase in cholesterol.
It is advisable to keep track of how much protein we should eat, based on our weight and performing a simple mathematical operation. You see, to know how much protein your body needs, you must multiply your weight by 0.8g. The result will be the right amount of protein you should eat per day.
Now, if your thing is to want to increase muscle mass, you must perform the same mathematical operation. Only this time the number to multiply will be 1.6g. That is the amount of protein you should eat daily to be able to perceive an increase in your mass.
How do I know how much protein a food or protein shakes have?
The information on how much protein the protein shakes you consume will be found on the product packaging. Being more specific in the nutrition facts table, the same goes for foods. Everyone has that table of nutritional information; our recommendation is that you stop to review it in order to keep a better food control.