The Pros of Protein Drinks

Remember that poster of the food pyramid back in grade school? Here’s a quick refresher! Carbohydrates, fat, and proteins are the macronutrients that form its base, and for good reason.

These three are important components of every meal and are necessary for building a balanced diet. If fat and carbohydrates are fuel, protein is your repairman, helping your muscles recover after a tough workout, injury, and even the daily wear and tear our muscles go through regularly.  

Here are some more pros of protein: 

Serotonin, the body’s happy hormone, is made up of amino acids, which are strongly linked to protein. If you want to kickstart your mornings, having enough protein will get you going, both physically and mentally.

Protein helps produce antibodies that fight off infection from foreign harmful elements in your cells. These antibodies also promote resilience, so the next time these elements come by, your body can fend them off easier.  

Protein helps the neurons within the brain communicate with each other through neurotransmitters made from amino acids. This boosts your memory and other cognitive abilities.

Because hair follicles are mostly made up of a protein component called keratin, having enough protein in your diet can lead to thicker hair and give the appearance of greater fullness. 

Since protein is the building block of skin tissue, having enough of it leads to plump and healthy skin. It also helps boost collagen levels, keeping skin looking young and firm. 

Protein raises your body’s metabolic rate because it takes more energy to digest it. Having a high protein diet is strongly linked to lower body fat, higher levels of lean muscle mass, and feeling full for longer periods. 

Did you know that even though our muscles are made up of protein, our bodies do not produce enough of it? This is the reason why we need to have it through our diet. Eggs, milk, and meat are the common sources of protein, while almonds, peanuts, and soy are some of the veggie options.  

A good portion of protein should be 12-15% of your daily calorie intake. If you feel like you’re not hitting those levels, you can always choose to “drink” protein—this is where protein drinks come in.

One great benefit of protein drinks is how much time it takes to prepare them—cooking takes minutes, protein drinks take seconds! Just pop them in a shaker, mix with water and voila, all those protein benefits we mentioned before fit snuggly within the confines of your sippy cup.  
 

This is perfect for those busy days when you’re always on the go. Whether you drink it in the morning to kickstart your day, during the midday to stave off sudden cravings, or after a grueling workout, any time of day is okay!  

There are various tasty flavors of protein drinks to choose from. Now, just like everything else we eat and drink, make sure to check the ingredients first. If you’re allergic to eggs or dairy products, be sure to get the flavors that are safe for you. There are also plant-based versions out there that are just as tasty and beneficial as the milk and eggs variants.  

More references:

The Nutrition Source > What Should I Eat? > Protein. Harvard School of Public Health, 2023. 
Are you getting too much protein? Mayo Clinic Health System, 2022.