Why is whey protein so popular among the youth?

Today’s world is one where everyone is health conscious and taking good care of their body. The goal nowadays is to have a fit body, a suitable weight and a fresh mind. This is why today, whey protein the miracle protein supplement of this era. Are you someone who wants to know more about it too? Well, you’ve come to the right place! Let’s tell you all about what whey protein is and why it is so popular with the youths today.

What exactly is whey and whey protein?

Milk consists of 2 types of proteins- namely, whey (20%) and casein (80%). Whey is the more watery portion while casein is the fatty part. Sometimes, when you open up a container of yoghurt, you will see whitish liquid floating on top. Did you know that that is actually whey?

Whey protein is a mixture of proteins that have been isolated from whey. It is rich in amino acids, which are the building block of proteins. In fact, it contains all the amino acids that the human body cannot synthesize and needs to acquire from food (i.e. – the essential amino acids). In addition, whey protein also contains other useful nutrients such as lactoferrin, beta-lactoglobulin, alpha-lactalbumin and immunoglobulins. It is a good idea for you to take whey protein, since it can add about 25-50 grams of protein to your daily diet. This is essential for youths, especially growing teens. You could also add it to your healthy smoothie.

How is whey protein made?

During production of cheese, whey is separated from the milk as a byproduct after all the fatty parts have coagulated. Whey protein is made up of proteins that have been isolated from this remaining watery portion of the milk. However, you may have seen that whey powder actually does not look watery at all, and is sometimes even colored. This is because the whey undergoes a lot of processing, and flavors are added to it, so that it is more convenient and tasty for people to consume.

Does whey protein help build muscle mass?

Yes! It does. And this is probably the main reason why youths prefer it so much. If you want those bulging biceps or those amazing abs, whey is the way to go (coupled with a balanced meal and a steady exercise routine of course.) It is a great source of protein and thus helps to build muscles.

Now you might be wondering whether more muscle means you will become more obese. Not at all.  Whey helps in increasing anabolic hormones that stimulate muscles growth, not fat storage. Furthermore, it also suppresses you appetite and can aid in weight loss. Your dream body is not too far away huh?

Is it true that whey protein strengthens the mind too?

The answer to this is… you guessed it! Yes! It does. In this competitive, fast-paced world, you may find yourself under a lot of stress and anxiety which will in turn have a deteriorating effect on your learning abilities. However, don’t worry! Whey is here to help. Why protein has been shown to have a calming effect on the mind while providing relief from stress and anxiety. It is one of the foods that can help safeguard you against depression. Furthermore, it also increases memory power and overall mental capacity as well.

 Are there any other benefits of using whey protein?

Tons!

• Whey protein helps to keep your blood sugar levels in check- thus, you have less chances of developing type 2 diabetes and its horrid complications.
• Using toothpaste containing whey proteins can prevent dental plaques and improve overall dental hygiene.
• It aids in keeps your blood pressure within the normal threshold- so you will be worrying lesser about hypertensive disorders.

  

• It reduces the symptoms of hepatitis.
• By lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels in your body, why proteins can prevent you from developing cardiovascular diseases.
• It has a protective role against cancer.
• Whey protein keeps your bones strong, especially in periods of growth, such as during adolescence.
• If you are suffering from psoriasis, whey protein can help in decreasing the severity of symptoms such as itching and flaky skin.
• It has been shown to improve immune function in HIV patients.

Are there no side effects of using whey protein?

Although it would be amazing to show-off whey protein as the supreme nutritional supplement, sadly, the answer to this question is no. Like everything in this world, too much anything is bad. When taken is excessive amounts, it can cause stomach cramps, abdominal pain, nausea, fatigue and headaches. Some people state that it may cause and imbalance in the diet, since you are taking in more proteins than the other macronutrients.

Don’t worry though, these effects are not seen when you are consuming whey protein in moderate, suitable amounts. A rather sad side effect though is that whey protein has been shown to flare up acne, especially in teenagers. It may also not be suitable for use in lactose intolerant patients, since it is a derivative of milk. Therefore, if you are lactose-intolerant, it is best to consult your doctor before doing so