Protein is an essential macronutrient your body uses to build and repair muscle tissue. In fact, protein makes up about 17% of the body’s weight. It’s a vital component for muscles, skin, internal organs, and especially your heart and brain, as well as your eyes, hair, and nails.
Our immune system also requires it to make antibodies required to fight infection. Protein also plays a role in blood sugar regulation, fat metabolism, and energy function.
Protein breaks down into 22 naturally occurring amino acids, which are known as the building blocks of protein.
Of these, nine are essential amino acids, which means we must get them from food or protein powder supplements because our bodies can’t make them on their own.
There are several different kinds of protein powder supplements, the most common protein powder supplements are made with soy, pea and whey.
Soy Protein: A plant-based protein that contains all the essential amino acids associated with many health benefits.
Pea Protein: A plant-based protein which is lactose-free. It’s isolated from legumes — yellow split peas, in particular.
Whey Protein: An animal-based protein which is isolated from whey, a milky by-product left over during the cheesemaking process. Because it comes from milk, most whey protein powder contains the milk sugar lactose.
Are you struggling to decide which protein powder is best for you? Do check out this article >> Choosing the Right Protein Powder: Soy vs Pea vs Whey !