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Whey is often thought of as a sought-after commodity these days, although in the past it was a mere waste product of cheese manufacturing. Whey is no longer frittered away, mainly due to the lactose, minerals, and proteins contained within. Importantly, these proteins can be isolated from the whey by membrane filtration and spray drying; and these proteins include some exciting properties. What is exciting about whey protein?
The characteristics of whey protein can be broken down into nutritional and functional, which are detailed below:
• Nutritional - refers to whey protein as an energy source.
• Functional - whey protein has soluble capabilities. Why are the functions of whey protein important?
These nutritional and functional characteristics are important, to athletes especially, as they allow a greater source of protein in the diet. Whey protein can be made into a powder due to its solubility; it is often sold in health food shops throughout the UK. Why do athletes take whey protein?
Not all athletes take whey protein powder, but some of those doing intense workouts or bodybuilding may find it a useful supplement. Firstly, it is easy enough to take as it is simply mixed with water and then consumed orally. However, getting into the nitty-gritty of the powder helps to explain it a bit more. Whey protein contains a high amount of Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAA’s), which can help prevent muscle wastage. This happens when more energy is needed than can be produced by the body. Another benefit is that it contains the essential amino acid, Leucine, which plays a key role in reducing damage from exercise, as well as supporting the recovery of muscle tissue after exercise. Aside from this, whey protein powder generally comes in a range of flavours, from chocolate to banana, allowing you to make taking it quite tasty too!
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