Should You Take Protein Shakes After or Before Your Workout? Neha Pugalia March 31, 2022 Health & Beauty 470 Protein is extremely important for muscle growth and repair. Due to their advantages, many people consider taking protein powder supplements in the form of thick shakes during their weight lifting. However, the proper time to take the protein shakes is undoubtedly one of the most debatable topics. Some say that it’s beneficial to take protein powder supplements before a workout whereas; some suggest that protein powder shakes are most effective for the post-workout process. This article will explain whether you should take protein shakes before or after your workout session. The advantages of taking protein powder supplements before a workout are that it can improve muscle performance and increase the rate of muscle growth. A study reported in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition showed that those who consumed 20 grams of whey protein before resistance training had a higher muscle strength and muscle power output than those who didn’t take any supplement. In addition, research indicates that taking protein supplements before a workout can help in repairing the muscles and reduce muscle damage caused during the training session. On the other hand, some experts believe that it’s best to take protein powder shakes after a workout. The main advantage of this timing is that the shake can help in refueling the body with necessary nutrients and speed up the muscle recovery process. A study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition showed that those who took a post-workout shake containing 50 grams of protein and 25 grams of carbohydrates had a greater increase in muscle mass and strength than those who didn’t take any shake. How Much Protein Your Body Requires? The recommended allowance of protein is 0.36 grams per pound of body weight. This amount is necessary to prevent any type of health complications caused by protein deficiency. This specific amount will optimize your health condition while also preventing muscle loss and improving bone density. However, this recommended protein amount is too low to support the proper muscle growth of the body. Reports suggested that bodybuilders and athletes should take 0.72 grams of protein per pound of body weight. The protein powder samples are one of the best options between meals as one scoop typically contains 25-30 grams of protein. When you combine the protein powders will high-protein meals, you can easily maintain your physique while also increasing the speed of your muscle growth. What is the Best Time to Take Protein Shakes? Now that you know how much protein your body needs, it is important to determine when is the best time to take these protein shakes. The answer to this question highly depends on your activity and goals. If you are looking to lose weight, taking protein shake before a workout can help burn more fat. Moreover, if you are looking to build muscle, taking protein shake after a workout is more beneficial as your muscles will be primed for nutrient absorption due to the exercise-induced damage. However, if you have difficulty incorporating protein shakes into your diet, taking it before or after your workout does not make much of a difference. When you are looking to improve your physique and performance, it is important to ensure that you are taking in enough protein. Protein powder supplements can be a convenient way of doing so, but the time of day you take them can make a difference. If you are looking to lose weight, taking protein shake before a workout can help burn more fat. If you are looking to build muscle, taking protein shake after a workout is more beneficial as your muscles will be primed for nutrient absorption due to the exercise-induced damage. However, if you have difficulty incorporating protein shakes into your diet, taking it before or after your workout does not make much of a difference. No matter when you take your protein shake, make sure you are consuming enough protein to meet your needs. Is The Anabolic Window Important? Many people assume that consuming protein shakes within 30 minutes of bodybuilding will generate the best results. This 30-minute window is known as anabolic window, a short period when the muscles of your body require a tremendous supply of protein. Additionally, there’s also a popular misconception that if you don’t drink your protein shake within the anabolic window, you cannot leverage the complete benefits. But many reports suggested that the window of great physique opportunity for your body is not limited to the 30-minutes time. This is also not dependent on the post-workout process. It doesn’t matter if you take the protein shakes before or after your workout, they will undoubtedly help you recover your muscles from damages while also enhancing muscle growth. Do You Need to Increase Protein Intake Before or After a Workout? One study compared the effectiveness of consuming protein shakes after and before the workout session in terms of muscle growth and recovery. As per Piedmont, protein is important in your diet. The study found that there are no significant differences in muscle size and strength between the two different processes. As long as you consume the protein properly with milk or water, you will be able to see its benefits, whether you take them for pre-workout or post-workout. Therefore, you can choose the period to consume protein as per your relevance. Now that you know that you don’t have to take protein shakes before or after your workout, you can consume them according to your own schedule and routine! However, it is still important to make sure that you are getting enough protein in your diet so that you can continue seeing muscle growth and recovery. Consume protein with every meal, and you will be on your way to reaching your fitness goals! When it comes to protein, there are a lot of different opinions on when the best time to take it is. Some people say that you should take protein powder supplements before a workout, while others suggest that protein powder shakes are most effective for the post-workout process. This article will explain whether you should take protein shakes before or after your workout session. Daily Protein Intake is Important If you want to maximize the strength and size of your muscle, it’s extremely important to consume protein all day long. Therefore, make sure you don’t skip your meals just because you’re taking protein powder supplements. This is one of the most common mistakes people make. Instead, combine your protein shakes with a proper diet to increase your daily protein intake. Conclusion Now you know when you should take the protein powder supplements, it’s time to purchase the perfect one. Make sure you contact us if you need high-quality protein powders. SHARE THIS POST