What is the best protein powder for men? Here’s why you need the best protein powder for muscle gain!
Where to Get the Best Protein Powder for Men
Importance of Complete Protein Profile in Men’s Nutrition
Getting enough protein in your diet is important. It’s essential in building the body you want. When you think of protein, you probably think of strong muscles.
While protein is crucial in building muscles, it’s also vital for improving brain function, aiding your immune system, and fortifying bones.
Protein plays an essential role in men’s nutrition and to see the results you want in terms of gains and strength, it may be time to up your protein intake. This is where protein powder comes in.
It’s an easy way to meet your daily protein needs and take your fitness to the next level, but choosing which type of protein powder to meet your needs can be confusing.
There are so many types out there. So we are going to list out the benefits and what you should be looking for in protein powder.
Here are some of the benefits of protein powder for men:
- Increases muscle mass
- Reduces body fat
- Improves recovery
- Provides convenience
How Much Protein Do You Need?
Protein is one of three essential macronutrients your body needs to function properly. The other two are carbs and fats.
You can find protein in every cell, muscle, and organ in your body. It’s made up of amino acids.
There are 20 amino acids of which only nine you can get from your diet. You need all of these essential amino acids to grow muscle.
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and even if you’re without just one, your gains can be restricted. It’s important to have a complete protein profile if you want to gain muscle and hit your fitness goals.
So how much do you need to start gaining muscle or maintaining the muscle mass you already have? Your protein intake is dependent on your lifestyle and how active you are.
Generally, you want to consume 1.2 to 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of your target body weight. So, if you have a sedentary lifestyle and work out occasionally, a 160-pound man needs 64 grams of protein.
However, if you hit the gym regularly and are lifting weights and doing other forms of resistance training, a 160-pound man needs between 128-144 grams of protein every day. If you’re active in any way, then you need more protein than the average man, not just for muscle growth but for energy and recovery, as well.
In other words, if your goal is to build muscle and make significant gains, then you need between 0.8 and 1.2 grams of protein per pound of your weight.
What Are the Benefits of Protein Powder for Men?
1. Increases Muscle Mass
The bottom line is protein is essential for muscle growth. Without enough protein, your body simply won’t be able to build new muscle mass, let alone maintain the existing muscle.
Protein powder helps to boost your body’s store of protein as well as support the muscle-building process that can let you pack on serious mass. Research suggests protein supplements and resistance training lead to significant improvements in muscle mass and strength in healthy adults.
When it comes to choosing a protein powder, there are several different types on the market from animal-derived products like whey to plant-based options such as pea or rice protein. One 12-week study investigated the effects of 161 men consuming pea protein while doing upper-body resistance training three times a week.
Scientists found pea protein led to similar gains in muscle size and strength as whey protein. Taking plant-based protein powder is a great way to step up your protein intake while leading a holistically healthy lifestyle.
Though whey protein is a very popular protein supplement for muscle gain, consuming it in high doses may result in kidney or liver damage. Too much protein can be a strain on your kidneys and affect their ability to function. Also, the acidity of whey protein in the bloodstream can cause alkaline minerals, like calcium and magnesium, to be leached from your bones and used to buffer the pH of your bloodstream.
Muscle mass naturally decreases as you age, which can lead to weight gain, putting you at a higher risk of developing chronic diseases. This change in body composition can be either slowed or prevented through a combination of strength training and a healthy diet.
One study found that strength training combined with high-protein foods or protein supplements may be an effective strategy in retaining muscle mass as you age.
2. Reduces Body Fat
While protein is typically associated with gaining muscle, it can be a great tool for helping to reduce body weight and fat. A high protein shake makes for a very filling snack, and its low-calorie content means you can keep your calorie consumption under control.
Combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise, protein can help to lose weight and keep you feeling fuller for longer.
Increasing your protein intake is a well-known weight loss strategy that has been heavily researched. Consuming protein may also help to promote weight loss by boosting your metabolism, so you burn more calories and maintain muscle mass when you’re losing weight.
Consuming plant-based, gluten-free, and vegan protein powder offers you more benefits without worrying about the side effects animal protein carries.
RELATED: Plant-Based Protein Alternatives Instead Of Meat Or Dairy
3. Improves Recovery
As well as contributing to muscle growth and strength, protein can help to repair damaged muscles after exercise. Many athletes use protein powder to speed up the recovery process and soothe sore muscles so they can get back to working out faster.
Research suggests taking protein supplements after exercise helps to improve muscle recovery by decreasing muscle damage and improving muscle protein synthesis and performance. Protein shakes help to kickstart the muscle-rebuilding process, reduce muscle soreness, and boost energy levels after a workout.
What better way to strengthen a strained muscle tissue than by providing the essential amino acids it needs for repair.
4. Provides Convenience
For a quick protein boost on the go before or after a workout, few things are as convenient as a protein shake. If you struggle to find the time to meal prep or are looking for serious gains, then protein powder is perfect for you.
You can mix and drink a protein shake in a matter of minutes. It’s easy for your body to digest as you can quickly absorb it.
People with busy lifestyles who manage to find a few hours a day to workout will appreciate the convenience of mixing a protein shake for a quick energy boost and increased intake of vitamins and minerals.
Sunwarrior Warrior Blend Protein Powder
Sunwarrior Warrior Blend Protein Powder uses a combination of powerful ingredients to create a tasty protein powder ideal for both pre- and post-workout nutrition.
With a full amino acid profile, it provides everything you need to build strong, lean muscles. A rich source of protein, other ingredients include:
- Fermented peas have a complete amino acid profile protein that supports and builds lean muscle mass, increases metabolism, and burns fat.
- Hemp seed is high in omega fatty acids. Hemp is easy to digest and provides energy quickly. You can also try hemp protein powder.
- Goji berry is a fruit that contains all essential amino acids and is packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and carotenoids.
- Coconut has essential fatty acids stored as medium-chain triglycerides or MCTs; it supports a healthy immune system and improves muscle recovery after exercise.
In addition to protein powder, you might want to consider taking a collagen builder. Usually, collagen is associated with beauty, but collagen is just as crucial for men for other reasons.
Compliment your high-protein diet with Sunwarrior Collagen Building Protein Peptides to build lean muscle in no time!
Why Men Need Collagen
Collagen is often associated with a glowing complexion or youthful appearance, but men need collagen just as much as women, if not more so.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and is found everywhere from your cells to your muscles. It’s basically the glue that holds you together and makes up your connective tissues, including the ligaments, muscles, tendons, and skin.
One study found that after taking a supplement for 24 weeks, 73 athletes experienced a reduction in joint pain when at rest and walking, compared to the placebo group. Collagen may also lower inflammation, supporting your joints and reducing joint pain.
Increasing your collagen intake or supplementing collagen in your diet has a number of benefits for men such as:
- Promotes gut health
- Boosts muscle recovery
- Strengthens hair, skin, nails, and teeth
- Supports healthy joints and reduces joint pain
Know the benefits of plant-based collagen-building protein peptides in this video from Sunwarrior:
Protein is essential not only for building strong, lean muscles but also for your overall health. Upping your protein intake to achieve your fitness goals and make progress doesn’t need to be difficult.
By finding the ideal protein powder for you, you can easily increase your protein consumption, boost your energy, and build muscle strength and mass.
Looking for the best protein powder supplements for men depends on your body’s needs. One thing’s for sure, turning to a gluten-free, vegan option works wonders for your fitness and overall health needs.
What protein powder for men are you currently using? Share its benefits in the comments section below!
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