If you’re into your bodybuilding and know the basics behind supplementation, you’ll no doubt be familiar with protein and why it’s so popular amongst bodybuilders and strength athletes.
Bodybuilders seemingly cannot get enough protein. Every meal they eat will contain a protein source, as will many of their beverages, largely thanks to protein supplements, but why is this? Well, protein is essential for the growth and repair of muscle tissue, so a lack of protein will make it very difficult to build muscle, or worse still, it may even lead to muscle loss. Obviously for a bodybuilder this is a nightmare, so keeping protein intakes high is essential.
Whereas there are many popular protein supplements out there, whey protein is by far the most popular. While whey concentrate is a best-seller, if you are willing to spend a little more, hydrolyzed whey protein is by far considered the best choice.
Here’s a more detailed look at hydrolyzed whey protein.
What is hydrolyzed protein?
Now, without getting too technical or scientific, hydrolyzed protein is basically a protein supplement, usually whey protein, which has undergone a process known as hydrolysis.
Hydrolysis is a process which breaks down the protein chains of the whey into smaller segments, thereby essentially making it ‘pre digested’. As a result of this, much smaller protein particles have now been achieved. These are known as ‘peptides’ and the idea here is that they are much more easily absorbed into the bloodstream.
Now, the protein has a much more rapid rate of absorption, meaning that more proteins and amino acids are absorbed by the body at a much faster rate, so far fewer go to waste.
What are the benefits of hydrolyzed whey protein?
Okay, so we’ve looked at what hydrolyzed whey protein is, so now it’s time to look at what some of the main benefits of it actually are.
Benefits include:
Faster rates of recovery
When people consume hydrolyzed whey protein shakes, most of the time they consume them immediately following a workout.
After a workout, when your muscle cells are screaming out for glycogen, protein, amino acids, and nutrients needed for recovery, the sooner you can get these nutrients into your muscles, the better.
Because hydrolyzed protein has essentially been pre-digested, it skips a portion of the digestion process and quickly makes its way into your bloodstream where it can be delivered to your muscles. The sooner these nutrients can enter the muscles, the sooner the recovery process can begin.
Impressive bio-availability rate
Another reason why hydrolyzed whey protein is considered so beneficial is due to the fact that it has an impressive bio-availability rate. This means that more of the protein it contains is readily available to be absorbed into the body, rather than some of it going to waste.
Again, this is all thanks to the fact that it has been pre-digested, so once consumed it can enter your system quicker.
Increased muscle mass and performance
Finally, the last benefit of hydrolyzed whey, is simply the fact that it has been found to offer increases in muscle mass, and athletic performance.
Hydrolyzed whey can facilitate greater levels of protein synthesis, due to the fact that it contains more leucine. Protein synthesis allows the muscles to grow and recover, which is not just beneficial for post-workout recovery and muscle growth, it can also promote increases in muscular performance during exercise too.
