7 Brilliant Benefits of Whey Protein
Whey Protein is pretty phenomenal. Some studies show Whey Protein can aid weight loss, preserve lean muscle and increase satiety. Others suggest it can lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels and even reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. But, as is the case with nutritional science, more research is needed and we’re not in the business of overclaiming. Some facts, however, are irrefutable. Here’s what we know about our Whey Protein and its brilliant benefits for your health and fitness.
Whey Protein is a Natural Fit For Your Body
Whey Protein might come packaged up as a powder but the process it takes from the farm to your kitchen is all natural. Here’s how it works: Our cows spend their days roaming Britain’s green and pleasant land, munching on their favourite patch of grass. Their milk is collected and refrigerated before being transported to the cheese factory, where it’s separated into curds (used to make cheese and Slow Release Protein) and liquid whey.
This liquid whey goes through ultrafiltration to remove most of the fat and lactose, then it’s spray dried to create a powder. Next, we add a naturally occurring sweetener called thaumatin to make it more palatable, and natural flavours – from chocolate to berry – to make it delicious. Finally, we seal it in our beautiful kraft pouches and deliver it direct to your door.
Whey Protein Preserves Lean Muscle
“If you exercise, you’re breaking down muscle,” says London-based GP Dr Nick Ambatzis, who specialises in sport and exercise medicine. That’s what happens when you get a sweat on from vigorous activity. Protein in your muscles is catabolised – or, broken down – and lost if the body doesn’t have enough to replenish its supplies.
“Most people have enough protein in their diet to support everyday bodily functions – between 0.7 and 0.9g of protein per kg of body weight (so 49-63g protein for a 70kg person),” he says. “But if you’re training hard and breaking down a lot of muscle, a regular day’s intake of protein won’t be enough. The protein you consume will be prioritised for your organs over rebuilding muscle.” That’s why a Whey Protein shake on training days can help plug the gap and preserve your hard-earned lean muscle.
Whey Protein Helps You Get Fitter And Stronger – Runners Take Note!
Breaking down your muscles is how you get fitter and stronger. Your body repairs your muscles with added interest. “The consensus is you get a 5% increase in muscle after vigorous exercise – so long as you have enough quality protein available for your muscles to rebuild,” says Dr Ambatzis. So how much do you need? “Bodybuilders need 1-1.1g of quality protein per kg of body weight,” he adds. “Endurance runners, surprisingly, need more – up to 1.2g – because prolonged aerobic activity can be very catabolic. While professional athletes need more still, up to 1.7g/kg, but still less than what most people think.”
A 30g Scoop of Our Whey Protein is The Perfect Balance of Post-Workout Nutrients
“Neat’s Whey Protein ratio is pretty smartly designed,” says Dr Ambatzis. A 30g scoop contains 21.4g protein, 2.5g carbohydrate and 1.7g fat. “The perfect ratio is 1:2 for protein to carbs for a speedy post-workout recovery. But if you’re making a shake you’ll likely add extra ingredients such as milk, almond milk, oats, banana or peanut butter that will bump up the carb content closer to that optimum ratio.”
Recipe: Chocolate and Banana Protein Oats
The Bioavailability of Whey Protein Can’t be Beat
“In terms of what your body can absorb, you can’t do much better than whey protein because of its origin from milk,” says Dr Ambatzis. “Humans have been surviving and thriving on milk for thousands of years. For starters, milk is an amazing source of calcium to strengthen your bones and protect against osteoporosis. Of course, allergies and intolerances exist, but for the vast majority of the population, our bodies are very well equipped to consume, absorb and process dairy.” And because we use a mix of whey protein concentrate and whey protein isolate, the majority of fat and lactose has been filtered out, meaning what’s left is primed and ready to be used for muscle protein synthesis as soon as it hits your stomach.
It’s The Complete Protein Package
Your body’s cells rely on amino acids, the building blocks of protein, to repair and rebuild. Most of these can be produced by your body, but there are nine essential amino acids you can only get from your diet – and whey protein packs the lot. Which ones you ask? Histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine, obviously. Several types of plant-based protein and foods can be shy one or two, meaning your cells and muscles are missing out, but Whey Protein is the perfect safety net to make sure you don’t miss a trick.
It’s Ultra Practical For a Busy Lifestyle
Ultimately the biggest USP of Whey Protein is that it’s convenient and versatile. Our Whey Protein quickly mixes with cold water to create a smooth, creamy drink you can polish off on the go. You can conjure up nutritious concoctions by blending it with fruit, veg, nut butters, nut milks and spices. Or you can get creative in the kitchen and sub it in place of flour for delicious cakes, cookies and pancakes. The options are endless – and benefits infinite.
Why I Can’t Run Without Whey Protein – Dr Nick Ambatzis
“I run four to five ultramarathons a year between April and September, finishing the season with a couple in the Alps. To prepare for dozens of miles in the mountains I do a hell of a lot of conditioning work, VO2 max stress tests and spend hours on the versaclimber. Then there’s the weekends spent trail running. All this training puts my body in a catabolic (muscle wasting) state so I rely on a high protein diet to replace what I’ve lost and rebuild the muscle I’ve broken down. In a perfect world I’d feast on a full English every morning but with my work that isn’t possible. Instead I mix up a shake of chocolate whey protein, cold water and full fat milk and arrive at work ready to go.”