Is whey protein good for you?

In Ancient Greece, Hippocrates had spoken highly of whey's health benefits, and during the Middle Ages, it was considered not only as a medicine but also as a skin balm and aphrodisiac: it was in fact used regularly in salves and potions to heal burns, promote vitality, and relieve a wide range of ailments.

Whey protein is one of the most commonly consumed nutrition supplements, and it has many benefits. Whey is an easy and convenient source of protein that includes extra protein in your diet, it is great for muscle building, muscle maintenance, and muscle recovery. A lot of misconceptions surround whey protein, which might affect your decision to consume it.

In this article we will talk about various myths around whey protein:

Myth # 1: It is a steroid

Whey protein is made up of milk. Milk contains 2 main types of protein: casein & whey. During the processing of cottage cheese (casein), the leftover clear liquid contains whey protein. It is further processed to make commercial whey formula. It is rich in essential amino acids, glutamine, glutamic acids, and alpha-lactalbumin that help build muscle mass, boost immunity, and promote faster recovery. It is one of the superior sources of protein that gets absorbed in the body faster and rebuilds strength and mass.

Fun fact: Infant formula contains 35-80% of whey protein

Myth # 2: It makes women bulky

A lot of women shy away from consuming whey protein, as they believe it makes them bulky. In the earlier days, it was marketed as whey protein that makes men “muscular”.

When women do strength training, whey protein & protein-rich food aids in reducing fat, promoting toning of muscles, and reducing cravings for sugary food. Whey protein is

simply a protein source just like chicken and beans. Moreover, women have low levels of testosterone and higher levels of estrogen which prevents women from bulking up

Myth # 3: It is bad for kidneys

There are no researches that show whey protein can cause damage to kidney or liver in healthy individuals, when a high protein diet is consumed in higher quantity it can cause problems to people suffering from kidney or liver disease.

Understand how much protein one needs to consume

Myth # 4: It is good for weight gain

Can consuming whey protein cause weight gain? In the same way as eating salads or dry fruits can make you gain weight, it can as well. A high-calorie intake or an increased number on the scale could result from too much of anything, so don't be scared.

Myth # 5: It is good for weight loss

I often come across clients who tell me they are taking whey protein to lose weight. Whey protein is not a fat burner, it is a protein supplement— it has calories in it. It is true, whey protein can aid in weight loss, by keeping you fuller for a long time and reducing your sugar cravings. But, if you are not on calorie deficit even after consuming whey protein, you might not lose weight.

Myth #6: It is only taken by bodybuilders

All forms of activity or training, regardless of the intensity, require protein in order to regain muscle mass, endurance, stamina, and recovery after intense exercise. Its ingredients help restore muscle fibers and enhance performance levels, not just for athletes involved in weight lifting, but also for those involved in endurance sports. In reality, nobody needs whey protein, if their protein requirements are met from their food.

Myth #7: It can be used as a meal replacement

There are a lot of nutrition supplement brands, that replace whey shakes with their normal meals for weight management. It is not a sustainable practice as it forces the client to rely only on these shakes for it. The primary source of nutrients should always be food; however, if these requirements aren't met, supplements can be taken.

Although it's always good to have an understanding of the negative aspects, misconceptions or incomplete knowledge may deter you from taking advantage of things that may be great for you. If supplements are selected and used correctly, they can be beneficial.

Mention in the comments what myths you've heard, and I’ll bust them for you.

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